Our Six Favourite Pieces of Tennis Training Equipment

Having useful equipment for tennis at hand is important for any player who is committed to tennis training and competing at an optimal level. Many professionals travel with their own tennis training equipment and recovery equipment. Not only do they realize the benefits of various pieces of equipment, but they also understand that those fitness accessories aren’t always available on the road. So it is best to be prepared! 

Let’s look at the best tennis training equipment that is commonly used by tennis players (Tennis kids to Tennis pros)

Tennis Training Equipment

1. Resistance Bands

These rubber bands come in many different shapes and sizes depending on the intended use. We now commonly use "power bands" They are versatile for various forms of tennis training eg resistance training (strength), power training, and on-court movement drills. They provide players of any age and level of training experience the option to work out at home, in the gym, on the court, or at tournaments. Resistance band training is the safest and one of the most effective forms of training to improve strength for junior players. Check out our Junior Tennis Strength and Conditioning Programs that use resistance bands here. 
Weighing less than 300 grams per band and the fact they are easy to pack and travel with, makes them a must for every tennis player to have. 

We have included resistance band training in the majority of our Online Tennis Strength and Conditioning Programs due to the fact they are safe to use, travel-friendly, versatile and effective. 

 We recommend that every player has a set.

>> Learn more about Resistance Bands

2. Foam rollers

Foam rolling is a great way to release tension from the muscles. We also call it "self-massage" Foam rolling will help prevent injuries and assist with recovery. Foam rollers are easy to use and you can release tension in the majority of your muscle groups, which makes the foam roller a vital piece of training equipment. Foam rollers are lightweight and come in different sizes, which makes them travel-friendly. Staying on top of your recovery will help you feel better on court, keep tennis injuries away and boost performance – a must-have for any serious players.

3. Reaction Ball

This funky piece of equipment is also called a crazy ball. It is used for working on a tennis player’s reaction and first-step speed. You simply drop the ball on the ground and run and grab it before it bounces again. You can use the reaction ball on your own or with a partner. They are lightweight, low cost, and great for a multitude of different tennis speed, agility, and reaction drills.

4. TRX or Suspension Straps

These can be used for various training purposes (tennis strength, power, core, stability). These straps get hung up from a high fixed point and gravity does the rest. They can be used in a variety of places, such as a gym, park, hotel room, or garage – so any excuse not to train is eliminated! They are a great training tool to help with tennis strength training. We use them extensively with all our athletes.

5. Medicine Ball

Most people have heard of these weighted rubber balls, which vary in weight. They are used for power, core, and strength training. Med balls are very practical as they are easy to hold and can be bounced and thrown, which is good for rotational, throwing, and pushing drills. This makes them a specific piece of tennis equipment. Due to the weight factor and size of medicine balls, they are not the most practical piece of equipment to travel with. 

6. Agility Belts

Partner agility belts are another great piece of equipment that can be used to improve your tennis agility, reaction, dynamic balance, acceleration, and deceleration. They are also lightweight, making them ideal for travel.

You use them by connecting yourself to your partner with velcro belts. The goal for one of the partners is to break the connecting belt by moving faster and getting far enough away from the chaser. The chaser must try to use their reaction and agility to avoid the belt breaking apart. This is one piece of equipment that is both challenging and fun.

>> Know how to improve your footwork

Investing in some equipment to help boost your game is highly recommended. You not only need to add variety to your training to make it fun and challenging, but you also need to make sure you have the ability to progress what you are doing, that is why it is important to follow a structured periodized plan, to keep players progressing, motivated and confident in what they are doing. Check out some training ideas here. Doing the same thing all the time will limit your progress.

Having a diverse range of equipment that covers all aspects of training is needed to help you reach your physical best and make sure your tennis journey is enjoyable! 

Good luck!

If you want to get more out of yourself and improve your tennis fitness check out our online programs here – http://www.memberstennisfitness.com