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Back in California I trained primarily out of one gym, but I worked out at several gyms. Some were giant warehouses downtown and others were glass buildings facing the beach. Some had top-of-the-line equipment and others had second-hand machines. Even when I was in college I would rotate locations. Why? I felt I needed a change of scenery. Otherwise, my workouts eventually seemed stale and redundant.

Now it’s a different story. I love training at my home fitness studio: one-on-one with a client, their choice of music and a great view. We’re situated on a 5 acre lot and my studio looks out onto my wife’s vegetable garden. (See pic below.) It’s not facing a parking lot, busy street or office building. Aiming southwest there is a lot of natural sunlight and my clients often comment on how relaxed and energized they are. I feel the same way, so I workout in my studio too. Must be all the green and fresh air.

Heather’s garden from my fitness studio.

I picked up my first tennis racquet when I was 4 years old. It was heavy and made of wood, not like today’s composite graphite and fiberglass racquets. On some weekends my family and I would play at a tennis club, and on others my dad and I would practice against a backboard at a park. As I improved, I played for my tennis club and intermediate school. Today, I’m more of a recreational player. I like to practice with my boys and play the occasional pick-up game . . . nothing too competitive.

With proper practice you can develop quickness, balance, timing and coordination; these are attributes that enhance the performance of an individual’s daily activities. In addition, there’s consistency and mental toughness. Serving one hundred times in a row or hitting one hundred backhands forces you to focus and relax at the same time. If you are distracted or tight because of nerves, you’ll mishit the ball.

One aspect of the game that I really like is the mind game. The top tennis players exude confidence. They’ve put in the practice hours on and off the court and they’re ready for the big matches. They look relaxed and focused. Their belief level is super high. As a result, they’re willing to go for the big shots: a kick serve out wide, a drop shot from behind the baseline or a cross court backhand with lots of action on the ball. So what happens when their opponent sees this? Some are able to step up their game, and others implode. What do I mean? Their emotions get the best of them and they are filled with self-doubt. As a result, their timing is off, movement is slow, and they make poor shot selection.

So where am I going with all this? If you want to improve your physical performance and add creativity to your workouts, pick up a tennis racquet. And don’t forget the importance of mental toughness. This will help you stay on track, make adjustments and persevere.

Photo of my brother, Ken.

There is something about getting a massage. Just saying the word “massage” makes me relax. Ahhh. Maybe it’s because I feel so much better afterwards. Muscles are looser and I can breathe deeper. I’ll often listen to classical music after a massage to continue its relaxing effect.

Other times I feel invigorated. Ready to do some outdoor spring clean up, go for a walk, or play tennis. So what’s really happening in my body to make me feel this way? Learn how rubdowns repair muscle in this month’s Science News Magazine.

Are you looking to stay active this winter? How about a game of broomball? You’ll have to brave the elements, but you’ll have fun and get some great exercise. For more info check out Madison Sports and Social Club. MSCC even has ping pong and dodgeball leagues. So there’s something for everyone.