Every sport has its off-season, and while it’s a welcome time to relax and recover after your efforts, it’s also a period when you can build up your fitness for the season to come.
Owing to the global nature of the sport, professional tennis players don’t get much of an off-season, but amateurs have a long winter to get through. To help you stay in shape during the winter, try this leg workout from the LTA’s lead strength and conditioning coach, Chris McLeod.
In truth, the workout is a great option for anyone keen on a sport that involves a lot of running, including running itself, and McLeod has also set six difficulty levels so you can scale up the session as you get stronger. It’s wise to support your legs workouts with some dedicated core and upper-body sessions too, but you’ve plenty of time to fit it all in – it’s a long winter after all.
When you’re not training, pass the time upgrading your kit. We have recommendations for the best tennis shoes, best tennis balls and best tennis rackets for beginners to start off your shopping.
How To Do This Workout
Pick your difficulty level from the list below or just start with level 1 and work your way up.
Level 1 – Do one circuit with 30 seconds’ rest between exercises
Level 2 – Do one circuit with no rest between exercises
Level 3 – Do two circuits with 3-4 minutes’ rest between circuits
Level 4 – Do three circuits with 3-4 minutes’ rest between circuits
Level 5 – Do three circuits with no rest between circuits
Levels 6+ – Repeat levels 3 to 5 with additional weight or resistance
Leg Workout For Tennis Players
1 Walking lunge
Reps 20 total
“Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands behind your head,” says McLeod. “Step forward, flexing your knees to lower your hips. Descend until your rear knee nearly touches the ground. Remain upright and keep your front kneecap facing forwards. Continue lunging forwards, swapping from left to right leg until you have completed the reps.”
2 Step-up
Reps 12 each leg
“Select a box that comes up to the bottom of your knee,” says McLeod. “Stand facing the box holding a 5-20kg weight plate close to your chest. Place one foot on the box and step up onto it. Return to the start position in a controlled manner.”
3 Side lunge
Reps 12 each leg
“Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart,” says McLeod. “Take a large step to the side and land with your foot facing forwards. Ensuring you keep your torso as upright as possible, lower until the knee of your leading leg is bent at around 90°, keeping your trailing leg straight. Return to the start position.”
4 Speed squat
Reps 30
“Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your toes pointing forwards,” says McLeod. “Keeping your torso upright, push your hips back, bend your knees and lower your body as far as you can. Quickly push yourself back up to the starting position. Aim to complete each repetition as fast as you can.”
5 Jump squat
Reps 12
“Start at the bottom of a squat position,” says McLeod. “Hold for two seconds, and then jump as high as you can. Land bending your knees to return to a squat, and continue.”
Inspired to pick up a racket and get involved in tennis? Visit lta.org.uk to get started.
To keep up-to-date on how all the GB players get on in the ATP Cup and the rest of the 2020 season, follow @LTA on Instagram, @LTA - Tennis For Britain on Facebook or @the_LTA on Twitter.
More Sessions To Improve Your Tennis
- Four gym exercises that will improve your tennis
- The best tennis drills for beginners
- Train like a wheelchair tennis champion with this workout from Gordon Reid
- Wall tennis practice drills from Judy Murray to improve your game
- Five hamstring stretches to keep your legs loose
