Our latest recommended "Top Tennis-Bargain Site" is TennisFixation - a fun and well-written blog for the everyday tennis fan.
Free Tennis Giveaways
Kim, the blog's author, also holds a weekly tennis giveaway on her website.
To enter and win, simply add a comment to her article. This past weekend, all that was necessary for me (J.C.) to win was to name my favorite tennis player ("Rafael Nadal"). A winner at the end of the week will be picked: http://tennisfixation.blogspot.com/2011/05/we-have-another-winner.html
The prize last week? A brand new copy of the video game TopSpin 4 from 2KSports! (Retail Value $39.99)
This video game has received some terrific ratings from Amazon reviewers.
TopSpin 4 is suppose to be much better than Virtual Tennis 4 and is graphically superior to the rest of the older TopSpin game series. Best of all, it has Nadal, Federer, Djokovic...plus Legends like Sampras and Agassi. I will have my own review posted for those interested.
Let's see how a Borg vs Nadal match at the French Open would play out?
To celebrate the French Open, we will be giving away free tennis strings from Genesis later in May. The winner will receive any two sets of Genesis string types of their choice (excluding natural gut).
Important Tip!
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FREE Shipping on the 660' Reel (which lasts about 16-17 sets)...which comes out to less than $5/set when you use the code "TENNISBARGAINS" at checkout!
Stock up now and save in bulk with free shipping, before 5/31.
We wanted to see how they would do on hard courts, play-testing it under multiple practice and game-based sessions for both singles and doubles.
Amazingly, the Asics GR3 got the Highest Score out of all shoes reviewed in the current May 2011 edition of Tennis Magazine Shoe Round-up.
The women's version of the same shoe got a perfect score (10 out of 10) from their play-tester.
Asics Gel Resolution 3 Unboxing
Pros:
The weight of the shoe is among the lightest (13.7 oz for men's, 11.9 oz for women's) of any tennis shoe on the market today.
It is very comfortable and has a true fit to its listed size. The support and cushioning is excellent with its memory foam mold. It felt similar to having your feet wrapped in the memory pillow material.
It offers top-notch Traction on quick stops and starts. Lateral movements were very fluid and quick with this shoe. I was able to sprint at full speed without much drag because of the light weight and play for a long time without being tired.
Asics GR3 with 6-month Warranty Card
6 Month Durability Warranty
Also for durability and peace of mind, it comes with a 6-month outsole guarantee and warranty card.
So if you are a toe-dragger like me, you can feel safe that should the shoe wear out before 6 months, Asics will offer a replacement pair when you send it in.
I agree with the Tennis Magazine assessment that the shoe could have benefited from being slightly lower to the ground. It would have added to the stability and balance factor for me.
During the break-in period which took about 2-3 sessions, it felt like the top section of the shoe laces got a bit loose at times initially. Afterwards, it seemed to fit just find as my foot may have been still expanding the memory foam before it was comfortably "molded".
Among those play-testing of the shoes at Tennis Magazine was Dr. David Sharnoff
Dr. David G. Sharnoff is a podiatrist practicing in Shelton, Conn. He has served as TENNIS’ shoe adviser since 1986 and as a consultant to the WTA since 1989. - Tennis Magazine
TRX Suspension Trainer Review
If you have limited amount of space and time to get an off-court workout, I would recommend looking into resistance training.
For tennis, it is much more helpful in building flexibility and tennis-specific movements than free weights can alone. It is also great as an injury-prevention tool off the court.
I would recommend this type of suspension training over normal gym workouts because there is less impact on your joints such as knees and ankles. It allows you to be creative and carry it all with you in a small bag, making itvery portable and efficient.
For myself, I use a system of resistance bands for my indoor training, but currently on the market is a high-quality workout system called TRX Suspension Trainer.
For the Doubles Players out there, here's a great easy to understand online tennis course called "Doubles Domination". This program is conducted by Ian Westermann, a certified USPTA pro and hosts the #1 Tennis podcast on iTunes. Check out his free weekly podcast!
Update: Course has been Sold Out completely - Offer has expired!
Find out when it is time to restring your racket. The tool uses the iPhone's microphone to test the string frequency. It can be adjusted based on the size of the racket, type and gauge of the strings used.
Product Review by Chris
Chris is a USPTR Coach and Professional Stringer with over 10 years of experience. Below is his review on the Tennis "String Thing" tool that is being sold on TV.
It is designed to be rolled along the string bed and is claimed to be made of a very durable plastic material. I was a bit skeptical when I saw this $20 product...
YouTube lesson of Andre Agassi's 'Second Summit' in his career. After falling from World #1 and returning to the Challenger circuit to start again.
As a New Year's resolution, I pledged to finish reading his book, Open: An Autobiography. It wasn't hard, as I just had less than 100 pages left. But the final chapters were so good and the book was so tough to put down, that I completed my resolution on Day 1!
I realized that I was right around the age when Agassi just completed his career Grand Slam, and divorced his first wife (actress) Brooke Shields. He took his personal life in a whole new direction and made a lot of noteworthy contributions - not only back to the game of tennis, but to Education and Life at his preparatory school and academy in Las Vegas.
It was interesting to hear his perspective and stories while he was in Washington DC at Legg Mason. I wonder what that homeless guy did with those tennis rackets he "donated" to him?
If you are a tennis fan - I would highly recommend this book. It changed my own perspective on my childhood...the pressures that a parent's pre-determined ambitions or a sport can weigh so heavily on a grown man's soul.
If you buy this book from my link, send me an email about what you thought about it or just post up a comment. I will personally send you an Amazon Gift Card to you. It is *that* good and I know you'll enjoy reading it (also available on the Kindle).
In this article by the Atlantic Magazine, author Josh Speckman explains the physics behind Rafael Nadal's incredible spin potential and how technology has taken modern tennis to a completely different dimension today.
There is also an excellent video that shows this "snap back" effect of polyester strings. "Co-polyester" strings such as the acclaimed Cyber Flash and Cyber Blue strings are merely poly strings coated with special lubricants that allow the string to slip and slide back into place after contact. They propel the ball with a recoiling snap effect while maintaining the durable characteristics of polyester.
*Tennis-Bargains.com Award* Cyber Blue offers great control and feel as a durable cross string.
*Update*: David strung his racket at a high tension when he did this demo; David had much better results after lowering his racket tension from 63 lbs to 57 lbs. When you look at the 96% of players reviewers who recommended the string - the tension usually was between 51 lbs and 55 lbs.
David Emery was formerly the WTA hitting partner for Liezel Huber (former #3 in WTA Doubles). She recently won the 2010 US Open Mixed Doubles with Bob Bryan. Congrats Dave on his promotion! View some other free Tennis Videos and Tips.
East Potomac Tennis Club 1st Annual Club Championship Men's Open Singles (Winner and Finalist)
Facility = B+
Stays fairly warm inside the bubble which has a sealed revolving door to get in. Even though this place has been around for a while, it is still in a very popular, centralized location near the border of VA/DC.
With some of the felt and dust accumulating inside, it could use a good vacuum!
There is usually enough parking outside but it is a short walk/run from the parking lot to get inside. If there is an event happening, you may have to find street parking.
2016 Update:
Brand new 9 hard door courts resurfaced! Blue and solid bounce (no cracks). The clay courts are still dusty deserts though, but barring that, this is a GREAT place to play.
The 1st Annual Club Championship was held here over 9/10/16-9/11/16. I was Men's Singles Champion against a tough opponent.
Staff = A
I've had a couple group lessons here before and the pros are not bad, although it can be on the expensive side if you want private lessons from them ($70/hr). Here is a list of their lessons offerings and price list but if you can organize a small group, they usually have discounts. It's $30/hr for drop-in lessons.
I'd recommend Scott for any kids tennis. He's a very mellow guy and was the former director over at Hilton Head, SC. He has a great sense of tennis history and event management.
Cost = B
Update: The prices have gone up from popularity* Now they hover around $40 per hour (peak and non-peak). About average for the DC area. However, you do NOT need to join a membership program. Therefore, for the infrequent player, this makes for a great choice.
Availability = C
It can be hard to reserve your own court time as this place can be quite busy in the winter. But usually, if you call a week ahead, during a non-booked slot, you can usually get in.
Just remember that you have to pre-pay over the phone if you are not a member, so make sure you and your partner coordinate ahead of time and have a credit card ready. Still no online booking yet!
Overall = B
If you live close to Haines Point and can book ahead of time, this place is a great bargain!
How we rate DC's Tennis Facilities and Clubs
A lot of people have been asking about good deals for indoor tennis courts, and as promised, I will begin writing reviews of local clubs as a "tennis critic".For starters, here is a good listing of tennis clubs with indoor facilities in the DC metro area (VA/MD/DC).
Please note, I will only review the DC indoor tennis clubs that I have personally attended and can provide my assessment of the following categories on a scale from [A] excellent to [E] fail.
For my calculations, I will estimate that the average tennis player will want to play once every week during the winter and will bring 1 friend (guest) to split the costs. I'll let you know if their membership is worth it for frequent players (2-3 times/week in the winter).
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1) Facility - How are the courts? How is the lighting? Is everything clean, well maintained?
2) Staff - How experienced are the average pros teaching there? Are the staff friendly toward you and new non-member guests?
3) Cost - How inexpensive is it to get a membership and court time to play? (1 = $50/hr/person to 5 = $10/hr/person)
4) Availability - Can you get the court you want when you want it? (1 = Call in a week ahead, 5 = Almost always a court available)
5) Overall - Considering all factors, would you join/play here if you lived close by or go somewhere else?
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Sore Muscles after workout?
If you are exercising or playing tennis several times a week for over an hour, many times you'll have tight muscles and/or soreness (calves, quads, back are common areas). With a foam roller, right after a workout while your muscles are still warm, simply use your own body weight to facilitate what is called "Myofascia Release" or loosen the soft tissue that have gotten sore or stiff.
The $25 Solution
With this simple foam roller - it's small, light and looks so simple but yet so effective for less than $25! It only takes about 10-15 minutes after a workout to help you recover. I bought this model (but any other foam roller will also work): PB Elite Molded Foam Roller 3' Long, 6" Round (Most Popular Size).
This particular model is designed to last a long time and has gotten good reviews. Plus it comes with an illustrated cheat-sheet on the various techniques you can use with it as well.
Foam Roller Benefits
I just recently discovered this amazing new product that helped me so much after a long workout session. It offers most of the same benefits as a Sports Massage but in the convenience of your own home. Most massages will cost $40-50 per session and you usually have to schedule an appointment ahead of time.
Just show your American Express card at any Amex Event Booth (like at Legg Mason or US Open) to get this free US Open Radio. No purchases necessary!
With it you can check out live commentary by ESPN and the Tennis Channel.
Swag Bag of freebies at the US Open.
Several sponsors each year hand out useful and sometimes delicious promos every year. Be sure to check out the American Express lounge and Chase lounge (both free to their respective customers). Amex also gave out free mini electronic fans in years past.
This makes it much more entertaining to follow the action.
In 2006, they were also handing out free $2 Metro passes by the thousands!
Every year there is a new deal or gadget so keep your eyes peeled and bring your Amex!
I have previously owned the LiquidMetal, Flexpoint and Microgel versions of the Instinct. Out of these three previous generations, I felt the LM was the most powerful and offered the greatest control. Many other players have felt the same way... ApparentlyYen-Hsun Lu, who beat Roddick at this year's Wimbledonto advance to the Quarterfinals in 2010,is rumored to use the LM Instinct with a paintjob! Other notable tennis pros that have used the Instinct (in one form or another) before include: Agassi, Kunetsova, Myskina, Gasquet, Karlovich, Azarenka
Why I Never have to buy Tennis gear at full retail price anymore.
Below, I'll share with my advice on where to look to get discounts for tennis gear, events and travel...
Why Tennis is so good for you?
Tennis can be a sport that is both fun and AFFORDABLE at any age. It keeps you fit, lean and active (just think of any tennis pro you've ever seen on TV). Tennis comes packed with lots of cardio and is a full body workout;
Think about it - you're actually getting exercise from having fun and spending time with a buddy outdoors in fresh air this summer - a great change-up from the gym!
Rackets: I like to get rackets that are a generation or two old that have lots of good reviews. Often times the changes for this latest year's models are merely cosmetic and the physical changes may or may not make it better. Do your research first! Also, once a racket becomes "popular", the manufacturers will put a major discount on it...this is when I like to buy a few extra in bulk in case they stop making them next year! http://www.tennis-bargains.com/p/racket-reviews.html
Balls: For renewable tennis items like balls/shoes/string (which you need to replace regularly) - I calculate how to max them out based on time AND cost.
Head is offering $20 off all Head YouTek Rackets in July for participating stores.
TennisTopia (in Rockville, MD) will DOUBLE that discount for an extra $20 off...
So that's $40 off the price of any new Head YouTek racket.
To get the discount at TennisTopia, just mention you saw this deal on "Tennis-Bargains.com" (or show them the flyer below from your phone).
Darrell Haines (the owner of TennisTopia) can offer this discount deal only until the end of the month. So go in and demo a couple if you're curious, they will be happy to help you find the right one for you to try.
I am recently a new owner of the YouTek Instinct myself - to replace my trusty 3-4 year old LiquidMetal Instinct Rackets....so I posted up my review on the YouTek or YouTek IG versions which can also be found in the "Racket Reviews" page.
TennisTopia (Rockville, MD) is offering a HUGE special to celebrate Prince's 40th Anniversary! Continuing thru July 15th or until supply runs out. Topia is offering an unbeatable deal:
BUY ANY PRINCE RACQUET, GET A SECOND PRINCE RACQUET FREE!!
JC's TennisTopia Store Review:
TennisTopia is a locally run and owned tennis shop that offers stringing, clothes and tennis gear. They also have a DC store called Drilling Tennis & Golf. They have a good selection, friendly staff and regular deals in their newsletter. Check them out if you're in the VA/DC/MD area!
Their shop is not the largest, but if you need tennis equipment in a hurry, then this is a good place to go. It may be a little difficult at first to find this hidden gem - hint: it is behind the REI at the Congressional Village Shopping Center.
The prize last week?
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