Body Prep, Tennis!

Hosted by Olympic Silver Medallist Tim Mayotte, Body Prep, Tennis! is an extensive guide to preparing your body for the physical rigors of tennis. Separated into two parts, the opening section offers an overview of the five areas of fitness (endurance, strength, quickness/agility, coordination/balance, and flexibility). During this section viewers are advised as to which supplementary sports activities are best geared toward improving one's tennis performance (rowing, cross-country skiing, biking, etc.). In addition, the program demonstrates a series of strength-building exercises (telemark jumps, calf raisers), again designed to toughen up the muscles most commonly used in tennis. Following a series of stretching exercises, the majority of the program is given over to an extensive aerobics routine. My guess is that anyone who can survive the long and demanding aerobics set can probably cakewalk through a tennis match (endurance-wise). An excellent program, this is also serious training for serious players. The only sour note is the blatant plug for Evian during an aerobics break ("have a sip of Evian"). Highly recommended. (Available from: National Entertainment Group, 1776 Broadway, New York, NY 10019; (800) 424-0033.)