Tennis for Seniors

It is a proven fact that we need to stay active to be healthy. While many seniors may find as they age that their options are more limited when it comes to physical exercise, there are still opportunities to learn and enjoy new or old sports for fitness. 
 
Regardless of age there are those that are more adventurous and look for ways to get their adrenalin rush through extreme sports, leaving many of us to get our adrenalin rush just from just watching them.  Generally, there are more people that want an activity that they can enjoy and participate in with less risk. 
  
Most seniors will not want to take on high risk activities where they may be prone to injuries that take longer to heal with age. So what can we do? The sports that come to mind first are tennis and golf. They can still be exhilarating and exciting but may be less risk filled.

Many extreme activities are solitary sports, whereas with tennis and golf, partners are common, so it’s much more social and interactive. Most people will have a preference for one or the other of these activities, some do both, but in general it’s either/or. 
  
I live in an area where there are a lot of seniors.  Tennis is very popular in my area.  There are often tournaments being played at the local tennis club, and men and women are out and about in their tennis gear during the nice weather.  Almost any day of the week you will see ladies dressed in their fashionable tennis attire. They meet up at the local coffee shops after their game. It is so good to see them. Many are Senior Citizens in their 70’s and older and they look amazing.  Tennis is a wonderful way to be involved in an activity, to stay involved in a community, and to have the company that so many stay-at-home seniors lack. 
  
We’ve all watched Wimbledon and other tennis events over the years, and even though the game itself may not have changed, it’s very obvious how much tennis clothing has. It’s come a long way from the white tennis skirts and tops of my youth. What I notice most about tennis attire today is it's practicality and wide variety of styles, allowing players the opportunity to find something suitable for their particular size and age.  At one time, regardless of your shape or measurements, you were stuck with one size and one style!
 
A past neighbour of mine, a tennis pro, was a tennis coach at the local tennis and racket ball club. He told me that he coaches more women over 50 than any other age group. A lot of these women had played tennis when they were younger and had decided to start again. Others were totally new to the sport.  It’s never too late to learn! 
Besides the pleasure of playing the game, some tennis clubs and their surrounding areas are just great places to hang out.  Some I have seen have beautiful park like settings with outdoor water fountains, beautiful lawns, and plants.

It’s especially important when you are retired to have interests and activities, particularly those that take you outdoors.  It's fine to stay in and watch television or be on your computer now and again, but you should be outside getting involved with life when the weather allows. Keep in mind, whether you are playing tennis or practicing your golf with a golf swing trainer in your back yard, staying active is helping keep you young. 
 
So if you haven’t already done so, maybe it’s time to spoil yourself and splurge on the tennis fashion that works for you, then grab your racket and show them how to play tennis!

Author Bio:  Shirley Price lives in a lovely seaside community in BC. Canada.  She’s originally from the UK and returns to visit family there most years, so feels that she has her roots in both places. Shirley’s website is a community and social site for over 50s. lifebydesignover50.com