Tennis, Anyone?

A Low-Cost Fitness Option for Everyone

Although some Americans continue to regard tennis as a stodgy, exclusive pastime, the truth is that tennis has never been a more accessible, low-cost fitness option for Americans of all ages than it is now.

If you live in a subdivision or seniors’ community, there’s a good chance your HOA or resident fees allow you to play tennis at no additional cost right in your community. If you live in an apartment you may have courts right outside your building. If not, there’s probably a court you can use for free at a nearby park or public school.

A $20 racket right off the department store shelf seems to work as well as a $150 racket did during the tennis boom a generation ago.

A can of balls costs half what it used to. A $25 or $30 pair of athletic shoes can get you around a court in comfort. Add it all up and you’re ready to go for as little as $50. If you break a string—and unless you’re hitting the ball like Jimmy Connors used to, that shouldn’t happen often—you don’t have to worry about getting your racket restrung. It’s easier just to buy another one off the shelf. Chances are you’ll have to do that less than once a year.

Of course, you can pour money into club memberships or lessons, but you don’t need to. If it’s physical benefits you want, you can get them regardless of your tennis ability. You’d be surprised how much mileage you can put in during the course of a tennis match, but if you don’t want to overextend yourself you can play halfcourt tennis, serving underhand and hitting all shots to land inside your opponent’s service line. You can devise your own scoring system and invent your own games—or you and another player can simply hit the ball back and forth over the net in an effort to best your personal record for the longest rally.

If you’re competitive, tennis can provide a great physical challenge. But if you’re not particularly competitive, tennis can still provide a wonderful aerobic workout and plenty of fun in the great outdoors. And, perhaps best of all, even if you know only the basics of the sport, tennis may be one of those activities you can pass down to an eager grandchild.

The exercise will do both of you good, and the experience will be unforgettable.

Getting back to tennis, or taking it up for the first time, is a great move to make for the sake of your health and peace of mind. Another great move is depending on MedicareMall for information about Medicare supplement plans designed to protect you against the gaps in Medicare coverage. Contact us now and one of our expert agents will help you find the Medigap plan that’s best suited to your budget, medical history, and active lifestyle.