Cardio tennis is an hour of drills and games to music, run by a coach, with a group. You sweat a lot more than in a normal hit and you don't need a partner or a good backhand to turn up.
A few Christchurch clubs and coaches run it. Here's who, when, and what it costs.
MD Tennis at Opawa
Two sessions a week, both at Opawa Tennis Club. Monday evenings 6.30 to 7.30pm, and Wednesday mornings 9.15 to 10.15am. It's part of MD Tennis's adult coaching, and it's $17.50.
It's set to music and pitched at all levels. To join, message Mike on 021 494 882 and he'll add you to the WhatsApp group. Probably the easiest one to try.
Waimairi Tennis Club
Waimairi runs cardio tennis as an eight-week course on Monday nights at 7.30pm, one hour each. The current term started on Monday 12 October. It's $160 for non-members, or $125 if you're a member or the parent of one.
Each session is a warm-up, a drills-and-games cardio block, then a cool-down. It's open to non-tennis players and to all ages, so expect a mixed group. Registration is through the button on their senior tennis page. With the term already a couple of weeks in, ask the club whether you can still join or whether to wait for the next one.
Meredith Brothers, Cashmere
The Meredith Brothers coaching academy works out of Cashmere Tennis Club and runs group cardio tennis as one of its adult sessions. For times and prices, book through their site or email admin@meredithbrothers.co.nz.
Which one?
If you want to just try it, MD Tennis at Opawa. If you like having a fixed eight weeks booked in, Waimairi. If you're on the Port Hills side, ask Cashmere what's running.
After the class
Cardio tennis is a good way in. It's also the moment a lot of people realise they'd like an actual hit, with someone at roughly their level, at a time that suits them both. That's harder to sort than the class.
Hitter is for that next step: finding adult players nearby at your level and a time that works for both of you.
More at hitter.nz.
