New York Tennis Magazine’s 2013 Gym Guide

February 11, 2013 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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IMG Academy
5500 34th Street West ♦ Bradenton, Fla.
(800) 872-6425 ♦ www.imgacademy.com

Tennis is a very complex game which demands high energy output and muscular engagement. At IMG Academy, we develop a strength and conditioning routine tailored to the individual athlete that addresses these demands. With a combination of work in strength, movement, and footwork, we seek to prevent injuries, while helping to build the absolute best tennis body possible. In terms of strength, we look to produce a solid and strong body that is able to generate power and develop a lot of momentum with rotational movements. For injury prevention, scapula stabilization, hip mobilization, core strengthening, and knee and ankle proprioception, are the main focus. Lastly, footwork and movement combine to make our “chef’s special” of training, which includes court drills and a variety of equipment like medicine balls, bungees, and balance boards. Our main focus is to provide better self awareness, balance, eye-to-hand and eye-to-foot coordination, and speed of reaction. All these points are very important to maintaining good technique throughout a stroke. As part of the IMG Academy training program, we take all of our athletes through our i360 sports performance tests, which give our coaches an indicator of what areas of development the individual athlete needs to work on in order to take his/her game to the next level. Within the IGNITE 360 performance training system, we continue to work on the athlete’s strengths, but spend more time on fixing the athlete’s weaknesses and improving any muscular imbalances or deficiencies. This approach grants the athlete the best opportunity to maximize their energy output and muscular engagement capabilities.

Cassiano Costa is IMG’s physical conditioning coach. He completed a bachelor’s degree in sports science at the University of Sao Paulo, a master’s degree in sports injury prevention at University of Galicia, and specialist in tennis biomechanics at Federal University in Sao Paulo. Before joining IMG Academy, Cassiano was a strength and conditioning coach for a number of professional players on the ATP and WTA Tours, including Thomas Bellucci and Vera Zvonareva. Prior to that, he was the head strength coach at soccer clubs in Brazil (Corinthians and Palmeiras) and in Holland (AFC Ajax). He has enjoyed much success in his coaching career, winning the national soccer championships with Corinthians in 2005 and the national Under 17 soccer championship with Palmeiras. Flavio Saretta, Jamea Jackson, Thomaz Bellucci, Vera Zvonareva, Gastao Elias all won during his time with them. In particular, Bellucci reached his best personal singles ranking (number 21), and Zvonareva rose to second best player in the world and reached two Grand Slam Finals (Wimbledon in 2010 and the U.S. Open in 2010).



Manhattan Plaza Health Club
482 West 43rd Street ♦ New York, N.Y.
(212) 563-7001 ♦ www.mphc.com

Manhattan Plaza Health Club (MPHC) has one of the most unique facilities in all of Manhattan. Amid the hectic pace of mid-town Manhattan there is an escape to a calm, peaceful environment, committed to fitness and relaxation. Professional and dedicated staff members provide you with programming that cannot be beat, as well as caring and efficient service to help you achieve your goals. MPHC has a class for just about any exercise level and our staff of trainers is second to none. MPHC takes great pride in offering one of the most diverse aerobic programs around! Take a look at the different programs we have available for the whole family and the classes we provide our members. With a swimming pool, a climbing wall, a tennis facility as long with the cardio mezzanine and Weight training facilities there’s something for everyone. Want to work on your Tennis game? Five indoor tennis courts on a rooftop overlooking the midtown Manhattan skyline. And they’re just waiting for you next door at Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club! Our climbing facilities cater to experienced climbers and even those who are just starting. For a more relaxed feel MPHC’s renowned 75-foot pool and roof deck offer members an oasis nestled in the heart of midtown. The retractable glass atrium roof and lush tropical plants make you feel like you are on vacation. Try lounging poolside or on our outdoor roof deck. Check our Web site at www.mphc.com for new specials and get fit the MPHC way!



Sportime Randall's Island, Home of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy
1 Randalls Island ♦ New York, N.Y.
(212) 427-6150 ♦ www.sportimeny.com

The John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA) fitness program is an integral part of Sportime’s tournament training at Randall's Island. Each session begins with a proper warm up that correlates with the on-court JMTA curriculum developed by John McEnroe and Sportime’s Academy director. Depending on the day, students focus on lower body strength, control and power along with speed and endurance, circuit-based training. Our fitness development program also caters to each individual athlete based on a movement screening test that identifies key areas of injury and performance enhancement goals. Our fitness program encompasses sports medicine and conditioning that is designed to improve overall health while focusing on injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Pilates and dance instructor Mari Mathers has had an extensive dance background, with an emphasis in modern, jazz, tap, ballet, African, and hip hop. She graduated with a BFA in dance from University Wisconsin Milwaukee where she trained in yoga, pilates and somatics. Mari has been dancing and training since the age of four, and has been teaching for the past nine years. Mari is pilates certified. She teaches individual, semi-private and group lessons for both dance and Pilates.



The Club of Riverdale
2600 Netherland Avenue ♦ Riverdale, N.Y.
(718) 796-9099 ♦ www.tcr-nyc.com

Residing in the heart of Riverdale is one of the Bronx’s best-kept secrets: The Club of Riverdale (TCR), a full-service health club that provides its members with a vast array of health, fitness, and recreational options to help them achieve their fitness goals, improve their tennis game, or just have a fun day at the pool with the kids.

With a completely renovated Fitness Center, TCR has brought a new standard of greatness to health clubs in the area. The Club’s reinvented Fitness Center features brand new, state-of-the-art equipment that is both effective and easy-to-use. Upon entry into the gym, one cannot help but notice the vast number of cardio options the gym offers. In addition to the brand new Cybex treadmills and elliptical cross trainers, TCR features genuine stepmills; Expresso bikes equipped with virtual reality screens designed to both fascinate and distract the rider; a Versa Climber; Arc Trainers, and rowing machines.

As you move forward through the gym, you come to the weight training area. Here, state-of-the-art equipment is set up in a circuit. The Cybex VR1 Dual line is featured here in its entirety, ensuring that no muscle group goes unattended. In addition, there stands a Hoist Roc-It Chin/Dip Assist machine, making an otherwise intimidating exercise a bit less daunting to some gym-goers. You will also find squat racks, bench press, and freestanding abdominal and lower back extension equipment.

TCR’s Group Exercise Studio is located right within the fitness center, as well as their Spin Studio. Group classes are run daily, with everything from Zumba to Boot Camps to total body workouts. TCR also features a Personal Training Area, where Certified Personal Trainers work with their clients—with everything from dumbbells to barbells to medicine balls and stability balls, to TRX and boxing (two heavy bags can be found in the training area) as well as BOSU balance training. The trainers at TCR have the ability, knowledge and experience to work with a wide variety of clients, including those who participate in TCR’s famed tennis and golf programs. When players come off any one of the six indoor courts at this amazing club, or from the cutting edge virtual golf course, they can either head to the spa for a steam or sauna, or to the fitness center to improve their bodies and improve their games. In addition to traditional personal training, members here have the option of specific sports conditioning to further reach their individualized goals. For any members looking to work with a trainer, but perhaps not ready for one-on-one training, the Club also offers Small Group Training Packages.

One would be hard-pressed to find any club that offers the level of amenities and customer service found at TCR. This incredible facility even has the capability to host parties in its ballroom, administer an exceptionally popular Afterschool Program, as well as Summer and Holiday Camps, and offers the option to sunbathe out on the deck during the summer, alongside the 25-yard indoor pool. During good weather in the summertime, TCR has even held early morning yoga classes on the sundeck, allowing members to be at peace with an amazing view of the City. And since they offer a transport option as well, TCR is able to bring members from all parts of that city, into a health club that even with so much to offer, is constantly striving toward a higher level of excellence.
 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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