Tecnifibre VO2 Max Tour 12 Pack

Tecnifibre Tour VO2 Max Tennis Bags

Tecnifibre bags are typically built to please. If you want features and high quality materials, check out the new Tour VO2 Max bags. We currently have them in a 12 pack, 9 pack, 6 pack and backpack. What’s not to love about the bags’ sleek black color with patent accents? It hides dirt and doesn’t clash with anything. As always be sure to check out the additional views for different angles and pictures of various pockets. Siobhan has also done a product video on the bags so you can get an even better idea about their size and function. When they’re ready, you’ll see the video button link below the product descriptions.

DryMax Crew socks in black

DryMax Tennis black socks

Good socks are a must if you’re a tennis player. Good socks can help prevent blisters, keep your feet dry and provide comfort. Good socks also last. Drymax socks are some of the best court specific socks. Seamless toes, targeted venting, arch support…the list of features goes on and on. One of the most important aspects of DryMax socks? They fit. We carry four different sizes so you’ll get the best fit for your feet. No one size fits all here. What’s new is that we now have them in black for crews and low-cut styles. With all the black shoe models on the market today, performance black socks are a must.

Gamma Zo Dart 17 in black

Gamma Zo Dart

The Zo line from Gamma keeps on growing! Zo Dart is a new co-poly string designed to please the big hitters. Always looking to improve strings, Gamma is using special additives that help soften up the polyester string but adds six stiffer polyester monofilaments in the core to maintain control. Zo Dart is available in black and white as well as two gauges, 16 and 17. If you try it and love it, there is a multi-set deal of buy 6 and the price drops to $12.46 per set.

Tecnifibre Poly Code 660 String Reel

Tecnifibre Poly Code reels

Big hitters and string breakers, rejoice! Here’s another option for you. Affordable at $79 for a 660-foot reel, Poly Code is also all about durability. Don’t look for fancy shapes or twists here. This is a traditional feeling poly that offers ultimate control and a crisp feel. Big hitters can swing away. Available only in reel form and in black, Poly Code comes in two gauges 17 (1.25mm) and 16 (1.30mm).

Tecnifibre Synthetic Gut 16 660 Reel

Tecnifibre SyntheticGut reels in black

Another great value, Tecnifibre’s synthetic gut reels are now available in black and are only $34.95 for 660 feet of string. Tecnifibre’s synthetic gut also features an abrasion resistant coating for added durability. Find it in 16 and 17 gauges.

Lotto Raptor Ultra III Junior Shoes

Lotto Raptor Ultra III Junior Shoes

The juniors can hit the courts with some Lotto kicks, too. Already available in men’s and women’s sizing, the Ultra III junior has some of the same technologies. Syn-Pulse has been around in Lotto shoes for a while, but it’s still around because it works. Syn-Pulse is a lightweight, responsive cushioning system that’s visible in the heel. New is the ReactiveArch technology. The shoe’s sole is concave and flexes as you run. As it flattens out, you get better stability. As you lift your foot, it returns to the concave shape and offers you better energy return from your stride.

So that’s it, three days into the week and there’s already a lot of new gear to check out. Keep checking the blog page for more updates of what’s new at the warehouse.

Happy Hitting,
Tiffani, TW

Roger Federer's choice: Wilson BLX Pro Staff Six.One 90, Wilson Champion's Choice Hybrid 16 String, tension in the range of high 40lbs and low 50lbs

Brittany pulled out a goodie. She said, “My go to racquet right now when I am not playtesting and not hitting with my racquet of choice (Yonex VCORE 100 S) is the Volkl Organix V1 MP.” Solid choice.

The racquet has a 102 sq. in headsize, weighs 10.5 ounces and has a swingweight of 303 (click HERE to see the rest of the racquet’s specs). How do we describe it? Maneuverable, spin-friendly, ample power, excellent comfort. In a nutshell at least. This racquet feels light and fast, adding both pace and spin to shots from all areas of the court. It’s also solid at net and powerful on the serve.

Why does she like it? “I love this racquet for a couple of reasons. It is very easy to play with, and I need zero adjustment period. I have fun playing both singles and doubles with this racquet. It is very easy to get power on my groundstrokes and serve (especially when I am tired) as well as I find I still have good touch on my volleys.” And her favorite string setup for this racquet? She said, “Because this racquet has so much power, I found I needed a poly to control it. I like playing with a lot of different polys, but a favorite of mine is the Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution 17. I usually like the tension to be around mid (in this case, 55 lbs).

Brittany's choice: Volkl Organix V1 MP, Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution @55lbs

Chris went another route with the Slazenger Pro Braided.  He said, “I like the Pro Braided because it is maneuverable yet feels solid and crisp at contact. I have customized three of them with leather grips for additional feel and to tail weight them slightly.”

If you’re looking for a classic, this is it. With a light and fast feel, this racquet’s 95 sq in. headsize is paired with an 11.5 ounce strung weight. It allows players to rip big, heavy balls from all areas of the court. It also has a crisp and powerful response – perfect for Chris. Light and mobile, this racquet encourages offensive play and aggressive hitting (Click HERE to see the rest of the racquets stats). But what did Chris like about it the most? “The Pro Braided offers excellent access to spin on groundstrokes and serves. I can whip it through contact to generate lots of pace and the directional control I get is excellent. At net I like the maneuverability and the crisp response. I can snap volleys away with it, yet find all the control needed for touch shots. It is a very, very versatile racquet, and that’s why I enjoy playing with it.”

String setup? “I have been using it a lot for string playtesting so have been hitting it with a ton of different set ups — mostly polys (his favorite go-to string of all time, in any racquet, is Volkl Cyclone 16). Right now, my favorite string in the Slazenger has been Solinco Tour Bite 17.” At a tension of 52lbs, it offers great control and spin — a perfect combination with the Pro Braided for Chris.

Chris' choice: Slazenger Pro Braided, Solinco Tour Bite 17 @52lbs

I got Mark in on this blog, who said, “Right now, my current favorite frame is the Donnay Pro One 16×19. I gravitate toward this particular frame more than others. Throw in the all business, no- frills paint scheme, and I could be president of the fan club.”

Playing heavier than its weight, this racquet provides easy power, stability and great control. It offers a high level of feel and pleased both baseliners and all-courters. Why does Mark like it so much? “In stock form, the new Pro One has the 11.5 ounce static weight paired with the 327 swingweight, which makes it stable and tournament ready out of the box. Along with the extra frame material in the hoop, swinging the Pro One, it feels like a solid racquet because it literally is. The Dual Core technology, along with  its weight/balance, and smaller than 100 square inch headsize, makes the new Donnay Pro One my under-the-radar favorite of the year.”  (For more stats click HERE).

Mark’s favorite setup with this? ”Kirschbaum Pro Line X, which was just released. Softer than the Spiky Shark, but firmer when compared to the Pro Line Evolution. For a poly, tension maintenance is top notch for the Pro Line X, and at a tension of 52lbs, a full set in the Pro One got me close to calling it the trinity of frame, string material and tension. At the lower tensions, I benefit from the deep ball pocket without a powerful launch off the stingbed that the Pro Line X creates.” (Amen to this, I am also such a huge fan of this string I considered hiding our reel so no one else could use it.)

Mark's choice: Donnay Pro One, Kirschbaum Pro Line X @52lbs

Jason was on the firing block next and he stepped right up. He said, “Right now, I am really loving the Boris Becker Delta Core NYC” (Presale starts on 5/15 and in stock sometime soon after 5/20).

Providing a lot of spin and power, this racquet was also extremely maneuverable. Look to enjoy a really crisp feel when playing with it. For Jason, there are a few things that make this racquet really stand out for him. He said, “One, the spin I’m able to get on my groundstrokes to my serve is amazing! I also found the racquet to be really easy to swing, which is great for hitting angles and has helped me on my serve. And for a 11 ounce racquet, it has a surprising amount of power! But all that power is harnessed by the spin I’m able to put on my shots; helping me hit heavier shots with depth.”

A modern, up-to-date and ‘cool’ man, Jason added, “Lastly, the paint job is what the kids call, ‘sick’! All black with a blend of matte and gloss, it’s perfect for a racquet named NYC, also known as Gotham City. It just might be the racquet I switch to in the near future.” (Sorry, Boris Becker London, his current racquet, get out of the way! Jason may be moving cities!) As for string, he was secret squirrel about it, saying, “It’s strung up at mid tension minus 2lbs (so 52lbs) with a new, super hush, hush string.” We’ll get you in the loop about that sometime in the future, until then, Jason will be dominating.

Jason's choice: Boris Becker Delta Core NYC, "secret poly" @ 52lbs

A quick review:

Brittany: Volkl Organix V1 MP, Kirschbaum Pro Line Evolution @55lbs

Chris: Slazenger Pro Braided, Solinco Tour Bite 17 @52lbs

Jason: Boris Becker Delta Core NYC, “hush hush poly” @ 52lbs

Mark: Donnay Pro One, Kirschbaum Pro Line X @52lbs

Hope you enjoyed knowing what some of the playtesters are loving right now! By the way, if there’s anything you want to know more about, let me know. I can’t promise anything, but if you have any good suggestions I’m down to write more Inside TW blogs on topics or gear or playtesters.

Peace.

Siobhan

The herringbone tread pattern. Perfect for clay court tennis.

With the clay court season well underway, you might be inspired to try your hand (or feet) at playing on the dirty stuff. And, sure, you can probably take out your hard court tennis shoes and move around decently on clay, but I guess you could also probably hammer a nail with a wrench. It might get the job done, but it’s not the best choice, that’s all I’m saying. But if you’re even dreaming about moving and sliding around the court like Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, you need to pick up some clay court specific shoes. The right tool for the job. Simple.

What makes a clay court specific shoe different than a hard court or a grass court specific shoe is one main thing: the outsole. The outsole of a clay court shoe will usually feature a full herringbone (the zig zags) tread pattern. This pattern won’t allow the clay to lodge to the outsole so you can get a better grip when you try to start, stop or change directions. A couple of hits from your racquet between points should knock loose all the clay from the outsole. The herringbone design also makes the sliding from side to side more predictable so you can perfectly glide into a shot and recover, a la Nadal, but will provide the traction needed for moving forward and backward. So if you plan on playing on clay on a regular basis, you might want to consider picking up a pair of clay specific tennis shoes. The right shoe for the right surface.

Here at Tennis Warehouse, we carry a variety of clay specific shoes for both men and women. (Click on the image to enlarge. Click on the name to purchase.)

With the correct shoes on your feet and a bit of practice, you’ll be moving like a clay court champion in no time.

Jason, TW

Martina Hingis wears Tonic at Wimbledon.

“What’s exciting to me is taking my experience of the sport I grew up with, bringing it into the design process and fusing it with ideas from elsewhere. The Tonic brand has its heritage in yoga so combining the best from both of those traditions produces a look that is comfortable, practical and stylish – suitable for top professionals but also appropriate for club players.” – Martina Hingis on MSN Sport UK

There’s a reason to stop and take notice when a top pro, current or former, loves a yoga brand so much that she wants to bring it to tennis. Such is the story with Martina Hingis and Tonic.

Hingis was shopping and came across Tonic apparel. She liked what she saw and chose to wear it for an exhibition match at the 2010 Wimbledon. It was love from first swing. Hingis then sought out the brand to make tennis specific pieces. So just what does she find so appealing about this apparel?

The Grand Slam Tank's straps are intricately interwoven. It looks great and moves well, too.

Fit and function - The pieces look absolutely phenomenal on. Part of that is fabric, see below, and the other part is where the seams are (or aren’t), how the straps are constructed, how the fabric drapes and so much more. If you want an expert opinion on how a tennis garment must perform, Hingis, the youngest WTA No. 1 ever, certainly would be a good place to start. She described some of the musts in an interview with the Vancouver Courier. “Around the shoulders and the back, this is where you have to feel comfortable with your stroke. It can’t be restricting. If you’re stretched everywhere, you still have to perform.” (Vancouver Courier, July 29, 2011)

Fabric - Tonic makes its own fabric, dubbed Libra. The Libra fabric is soft, and the weight is not too light, not too heavy. It’s heavy enough to conceal what it needs to and light enough to wear comfortably on the court (enhancing fit and function).

Design aesthetic – There are not wild patterns, but the cuts and strap details are so intricate and so feminine that nothing else is needed.

The result of the collaboration is Tonic Tennis by Martina Hingis. The pieces are sporty and sophisticated. Tonic Tennis sets itself apart in another way. It not only manufactures in North America, but also sources its fabric from a North American mill. Keeping the entire manufacturing process in Canada certainly adds to the price, but the Tonic apparel is worth the extra dollars because the apparel makes you feel good, and we all deserve to feel good about our tennis game and ourselves. And, of course, confidence is priceless.

Happy Hitting!
Tiffani, TW

Victoria Azarenka hitting in a cute tee -- even the pros have their favorite training t-shirts.

T-shirts. Aha… These days we are inundated with so many tanks, cap sleeves, Dri-fit, designed, slim-fitted match tops that sometimes we get so sidetracked by the flash and flair that we forget about the basics. I love a cool match outfit, but no one can deny that nothing really beats throwing on your favorite tee and getting out on court. Whatever it’s made of, it’s usually pretty plain, extremely comfy and very well-worn — it’s your favorite training tee and it sees a lot of court time. When I asked the ladies to tell me their favorite tee right now, they were all about it because, like me, sometimes the right tee just hits the spot.

Tiffani picked the adidas Women’s Crosses Trefoil Tee, making it obvious for us, saying, “Love, love, love the retro adidas trefoil logo, so when you pair that with a tennis theme, it’s a no brainer.” Duh! OK, Tiff, aside from loving the design (which has a cool design of tennis racquets inside Trefoil) what else is working for it? She said, “I like the longer length of this top because it helps cover the midsection with the low rise shorts and skirts.” Valid point. Nothing like lifting your arms up to serve and getting distracted because you know your stomach is showing.

adidas Women's Crosses Trefoil Tee

This tee is made of cotton, so it’s super light and comfy. It has a crew neck, and it’s really easy to move in — it doesn’t restrict any swinging motion. This adidas tee is sold in white, with the trefoil design in pink and yellow. It’s got a retro look to it, making it that much cooler because you can wear it casually and on court. Tiffani’s advice on sizing? She said, “For this one, I personally would go up a size because I like my tees a little on the looser side and this one has quite a slim fit.”

Karly is a tank top girl, (“If you take a peek into my closet, 92 percent of the clothes hanging up are tank tops. I guess my arms like taking full-swings at life without being caged inside some sleeves. Plus, I’m not one who can pull off the ever-so-popular farmer’s tan.”). And for a California girl I don’t blame her (in Oregon we needed all the extra warmth we could get!), but I got her to tell me her favorite training tee.

Tank lovers like Karly, listen up. She said, “I’d have to say that my favorite t-shirt is the adidas Women’s Spring barricade Logo Tee. I might be cheating with this top since the sleeves are pretty short, but I also love the loose, relaxed fit of the shirt. I don’t feel constrained in this top and can move as freely as I want, like my favorite attributes of a tank top.”

adidas Women's Spring barricade Logo Tee in Black

The best thing about this tee (like Tiff’s favorite) is that it’s great casual as well as perfect for training in. The scoop neck and cap sleeves are really comfy, and like Karly said, easy to move in. It’s made of mostly cotton so it’s soft and the relaxed fit makes it easy to throw on and off. The adidas logo is screen printed on the front, and it also says tennis on it so people know exactly what sport you’re all about. It comes in black, red and white, and all the color combinations look sharp.

Karly said, “If there’s one thing that I learned while growing up in San Diego, it’s that I should always keep it classy like the great Ron Burgendy. So I like showing off the classic adidas logo, while representing the greatest sport ever with “Tennis” printed underneath.” Amen to that!

When I talked to Brittany about her favorite shirt and I hit myself in my head when she told me, because I already knew. “Nike Women’s Team Legend Top is my favorite workout shirt.”

This tee is lightweight and soft, and so easy to just toss on and off for practice. It is made of Dri-Fit and is a really relaxed fit, particularly around the torso. Brittany wore it in her size and it was baggy (how she likes it), but more so than other tees, this one can be ordered in a size down for a semi-fitted look around the shoulders and chest (I tried on my normal size and I wouldn’t probably drop a size down). It has a ribbed crew neck, a heat transfer Swoosh and the torso is long so it covers everything just how we like it!

Nike Women's Team Legend Top in Black

This girl loves this tee. I made her explain. “Reasons why I like it?  It is a loose comfy fit perfect for a hitting session or working out in the gym. Another reason is it is available in 11 colors! I can match it to any outfit. My favorite colors are the cardinal heather and purple heather.” As for sizing, she agreed with me saying, “I found this top to run slightly big and long (which I really like since I have a long torso!). Lastly, the fabric is soft and light feeling so I don’t feel like I am wearing a heavy cotton shirt.” Need anymore reasons to like this training tee?

There are so many boss brands right now, and with my favorite tee I want to make a small statement. I like women’s t-shirts, they fit well, and have really cool designs — but there is something about the baggy and comfortable fit of a guy’s tee. So my favorite tee right now? The Puma Men’s Summer Performance Graphic T-Shirt. You can toss it on, it’s comfy, it looks cool, it’s not too tight and it looks bomb with a pair of shorts or spandex. Sometimes I just get a little tired of the slim fitting shirts that show off your body, and I just want something I can throw on without having to worry about how I look.

Puma Men's Summer Performance Graphic T-Shirt in Black w/ Blue & White

It’s made of polyester and cotton so it feels nice on your skin and functions as a high performance tee. It has a ribbed crew neck, just like the girls shirts and is obviously going to be a bit bigger than our normal sizing so toss on your boyfriends or your dad’s tee for a quick size up and see what fits. The screen print logo on the front is cool, it has the little Puma cat on the left sleeve and it comes in two colors, black and blue. Ladies, own the boys tees (we look just as good as they do in them anyway!).

That’s it for today, hope you enjoyed seeing what the ladies around the office are rocking right now (make sure you click on the links to see all the color options). Enjoy training and give your favorite tees some court time.

Siobhan

I was in need of a new pair and came across the Under Armour Women’s Spring Play It Up Short. The thick elastic waistband with a drawcard and “UNDER ARMOUR” printed in large type caught my eye, and I wanted to give them a try. Once the shorts were on, it was a done deal. I had to own a pair. They were so comfortable I debated whether I should ever take them off again.

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Under Armour Women's Spring Play It Up Shorts

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And that’s when the risk presented itself. No, not the risk of never buying another pair of pants again, although tempting because of how comfy they were. But instead, do I choose the neon pink color that brightens up a room (a positive would be a drop in my electric bill), or do I choose the cool graphite grey that would make any top I pair it with look good? Based on my track record, it may be no surprise that I took a risk and went with the brightly colored shorts.

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Play It Up Short in Neo Pulse

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Now I wouldn’t necessarily say I experienced risk-taker’s remorse. I was just a little out of my comfort zone since these shorts were definitely brighter than anything I ever owned. Though that feeling quickly disappeared after I wore them around for the first time and began to receive compliment after compliment about their color. It was great! I wasn’t used to this magnitude of compliments and was tempted to buy a pair for every day of the week, but I didn’t want to abuse my powerful new compliment-provoker.

So instead of buying seven pairs of the same short, I’ve been keeping a look out for other shorts that fall into the same realm. Like the Nike Women’s Phantom Shorts. The soft training shorts come in fun colors that will light up any room you walk into. Or if you’re not ready to step out of the comfort zone just yet, there’s also the more subtle, darker color that still features a bright accent. Personally, I love the added bonus of a built-in compression short for storing tennis balls. Especially since I have yet to persuade Jason to be a ball kid when I play.

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Nike Women's Summer Phantom Shorts

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Because men shouldn’t be left out in the dark, I’ve found a few options for the male risk-takers out there. Though I’d like to preface that there doesn’t appear to be as many brightly colored men’s shorts like there are for women. Instead it’s all about the bold patterns to make that same statement.

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KSwiss Men's Stretch Boardshorts

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Besides long walks on the beach, another weakness I have is bargains. Which probably explains why I’m attracted to the 2-for-1 deal the KSwiss Men’s Stretch Boardshort has to offer. After you’re done hitting on the courts, you can jump straight into the pool without wasting sunlight changing into your swimsuit. Money-saver and time-saver? I’m so glad they have some for women, too, with both versions having compliment-worthy patterns that the most experienced risk-takers would drool over.

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Fila Men's Spring Baseline Plaid Shorts

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If you’re one of those who is in limbo between taking a risk and the comfort zone, I think we have a solution: the Fila Spring Baseline Plaid Short. From a distance the pattern isn’t quite as obvious, keeping you in short range of the comfort zone. But up close, the high-energy design calls for people’s attention and will leave them with no choice but to compliment you.

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Nike Men's Summer Distraction Short

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And last but not least (well, maybe least in weight) is the Nike Men’s Summer Distraction Short. It’s not quite as loud as the other two men shorts, but the sharp, edgy pattern will still give you a taste of risk-taker stardom. They’re extremely lightweight, making them perfect for training when those heat waves hit.

So go on, live a little. Grab a pair of these trendy shorts and be showered with compliments for taking a little risk.

~Karly

Maria Sharapova has been doing yoga since her mid-teens and thinks that it has helped her game, especially between points.

Like Masha, something I’ve dabbled in over the years is yoga. Personally, I find yoga to be a way I can stretch (I tend to dread stretching so it’s good to have something to force me) while getting in a good state of mind. So often we run around so busy that it’s good to have an excuse to slow down for an hour. I particularly like the positive effects it had on my tennis. I noticed an improved ability to calm down on court, an increase in my flexibility, my back hurt less as a result of that and an increase in my recovery time. Although we are a tennis company, we are definitely yoga-friendly because being a better tennis player doesn’t just happen on the court.

It goes without saying. The Nike Yoga Mat Medium is the basic ingredient to a good yoga sesh (or any good stretching session for that matter!). It’s cushioned and is non-slip, and has a tacile and patterned surface so it won’t slip across any floor. Bonus? You won’t slide off the top of it either. It’s really comfortable for any static stretching and will support you during any rigorous exercises or poses. The mat comes in grey on one side and dark grey on the other, and obviously it’s Nike so it has the Swoosh there for you. A cool feature is that it has a center line so you can make sure your pose alignment is correct and it also has a carry chord that makes it simple to roll up and take places. Yoga here we come!

Nike Yoga Mat Medium in Grey/Dark Grey

The clothing itself makes me want to go out and enroll in a yoga class. Capris first: Yes ma’am, we have traditional capris that are tightly fitted and perfect for yoga, check them all out here we have some great options, but I thought for this blog I would mix it up a little and show some stuff out of the ordinary. It’s legitimately cute (cute enough that I want to buy it to wear at tennis too). Working from the bottom up we have the Nike Women’s Summer Seasonal Capri. Love this pant. A little different from traditional skin tight capris, they’re soft like sweat pants and are loose-fitting with the bottom hem on each leg being fitted. The waist band can be rolled down, and it has written, “Love Tennis” and a Swoosh — a cool little touch to remind people that you’re a tennis player.  It comes in black and white, which will compliment any colored tank or tee you wear.

Nike Women's Summer Seasonal Knit Capri in Black

For another option, there’s the Sofiabella Women’s Evolve Pant. Again, a little less traditional, but really cute. They have an elastic flat waistband, faux pockets for style and ruching on the leg that keeps them a little baggy at the ends. I really like this design because it changes things up and gives it a little flair and more relaxed look, rather than slim fitting the whole way down your leg. Fun fact: these pants also have UPF 50 protection and anti-bacterial properties. They come in dark grey heather, which is nice as the speckled nature of the color gives it a little texture.

Sofibella Women's Evolve Pant in Dark Heather Grey

If, on the top half, you want something fun, look no further than the Roxy Women’s Spring Seamless Victory Tank. It’s a really lightweight tank that is bright and sporty!  The spaghetti straps have a little cross over design on the back and a built in shelf bra for complete support and comfort. I really like the athletic feel of this tank, and the colors are really bright and full of life. It has a Roxy logo on the front and the back, which adds to the energetic-ness of the tank — Roxy’s really stepping up here as an athletic brand that has created some great workout gear. It comes in blue and pink, and both those colors are super cute.

Roxy Women's Spring Seamless Victory Tank in Blue

Last but not least I have the Lija Women’s Mystic Crossover Tank for you. First of all, love the pastal colors – Glacier (which is a light blue/green) and Mystic (a light pastel purple). The v-neck line is feminine and sporty, the racer back is sharp and the back of the tank has a cut out to show a little bit of skin and add a little bit of style. It has a built in shelf bra for support, and the material is really soft and comfortable. I really like the style and design of this tank — although I like bright and bold athletic wear, this is a tank that is quality, style and beauty. Go a little more fem and add a little bit more support for any yoga position.

Lija Women's Mystic Crossover Tank in Glacier

We also have a TW drink bottle to keep you hydrated during your yoga session, and towels to use as extra padding or for wiping away the sweat if you’re doing Bikram.  Enjoy being healthy, and stay in shape physically and mentally. Go do some yoga!

Namaste. (Ha, sorry had to drop that in there!)

Kiwi

Men's Lotto Graphic 2 Group

Lotto certainly doesn’t!  Their new collection of apparel certainly doesn’t shy away from the color!  Pink can be seen in every piece of the Graphic 2 Group whether it is the main color of the crew or an accent on the short. And it is definitely not the girly powdery baby pink.  The color is named by Lotto to be Fluo Gloss, but I would describe the pink as neon or highlighter. Another feature of the outfit is the sporty wave graphic on the front chest of the crew, polo and warmup.

David Ferrer in Lotto

The pros  will be sporting this look out on the court as well. Keep an eye out for  players like David Ferrer to be showing off this new line at some upcoming events. Just for fun I had some willing men in my office try on the line, and to my surprise the outfits looked great on them as well. I love the Lotto Graphic 2 Trail Crew In Fluo Gloss paired with the Graphic 2 Trail Short. It definitely makes a statement on the court!

And let’s not forget about accessories! Complete your look with the Lotto Graphic Trail 2 Hat and Wristbands.

What are your thoughts on this Lotto line?

Ad Out,

Brittany

Except for myself (I am the youngest player in the group), everyone is aging rapidly, getting grey hair (or no hair) and dealing with injuries. Some seriousness for a second, tennis is a harsh sport that takes a toll on your body. Despite being non-contact, injuries are abundant, and if you can’t prevent them in the first place, you have to deal with them. Like I said, our group (myself included) has injuries to deal with on a daily basis. Here’s a little insight to what’s giving them pain, and how they deal with it.

Jason is the biggest fan of Kinesio TEX Gold Tape. When I asked him about it he said, “I use Kinesio tape to help me play with and through injuries. I’ve used it for my shoulder, elbow, wrist and knees.”

Kinesio TEX Gold Tape is an elastic therapeutic tape, which is used to tape over and around muscles to correct muscle function, relieve pain, improve circulation and reposition joints. In short, it works differently than normal tape. It has 140 percent elasticity (the same as human skin), which means it allows you to move as freely as you like, while still working to support the injury. How does it help Jason? “Depending on how I tape up, it can either help support a movement or restrict it.”

I asked him if he had any special tips about how to use it, (because not all of you have him at your beck and call to tape our achilles *cough* me). He said, “Learning how to tape isn’t too difficult, thanks to the internet. We have a few videos on our site that will teach people how to tape for the most common tennis injuries, but a quick Youtube search will get you more videos that we don’t have. I don’t know if it actually does what the manufacturers say it does or if it’s a placebo effect [get out of your head, Jay, it's dark and lonely in there!], but I do know it helps me with my injuries.”

Any last words, Jason? “Not only that, but it comes in a multitude of colors that can match any outfit and that makes me feel pretty.” And he’s right. The Kinesio TEX Gold Original comes in skin tone, blue, black and pink. And yes, the blue makes his eyes sparkle.

Kinesio TEX Gold Tape Roll

I couldn’t stop Spencer talking about his feet when I asked him if he took any injury/preventative measures. “Superfeet Premium Insoles Green is what I used when I had Plantar Fasciitis, and what it does is that it offers a rigid arch support, keeping the plantar tendon stretched.” Pain relief, do I hear you say? Yes, pain relief!

These insoles offer the best arch and foot support because sometimes shoes don’t quite fit the unique shape of your foot. It has technology called Encapsulating Stabilizer System (ESS) that provides the ideal biomechanical support by putting your feet in their optimal functioning position. They have high-density foam that is a shock absorber as well as supporter, and they work to increase blood flow that in turn increases circulation. The center heel holds and balances your body’s weight, so the insoles not only support your feet, but also reduce joint and muscle stress. Technological, I know, but anyone who’s tried insoles before can vouch for their success (yours truly included, after ankle sprains and surgery). They come in four different colors, which distinguish between the levels of support and cushioning, and come in all different sizes for both men and women.

Superfeet Premium Insoles Green

The green insoles are ideal for medium to high arched feet, and as Spencer explained, “You should go wth something as high as your feet can tolerate.” He told me, “Over time, using the Superfeet helps ‘heal the heel,’ if you will. That, along with icing, ibuprofen and rest, of course.” He’s like a bottomless well of knowledge!

Granville was a story of bad ankles. “After a broken ankle in college and several sprains on the tennis court since, I wear ankle braces as a  preventative measure.” As a man of quality, I asked Gran how he found the best ankle brace for support. He replied, “Over the years I’ve worn several types from the lace-up to the lace-up with the plastic inserts on the outside to reduce roll-over, but I have found the best brace to be the Hely-Weber Zap Ankle Braces. They use nylon straps and Velcro panels to offer a very tight and supportive wrap. These are the closest braces I’ve found to a ‘wrapped’ ankle with a foam under layer and tape.”

The Hely-Weber Ankle is a popular ankle brace style among tennis players because it uses figure-eight stabilizing straps to replicate traditional ankle taping like Granville described. This not only provides the support you need, but it also still allows you to flex and extend your foot to move efficiently. We actually have the brace in black and white, but also with the TW logo too for a little bit of love and support for your favorite tennis company. Granville told me he uses the brace primarily for injury prevention because unlike the rest of us he “tries not to play in pain!” What? Pain free tennis? You go too far, sir!!!

Hely Weber Webly Zap Ankle Brace in Black (TW)

“I wear it because I think it makes me look bad ass,” explains Chris, who wears Skin Sports Sleeves despite being a hardy Englishman. We currently don’t stock it, but we have in the past, and… You guessed it, we’re bringing it back!!! Why does he wear the Skins Sleeves?

He followed with, “Actually, I like the support it gives my muscles and it feels like I warm up quicker. I also really like the recovery gear as I find I don’t feel as sore the next day if I wear it after I play. The sleeves really help when I have multiple hits in one day — like a tournament situation as I warm up quicker and don’t feel as tight for my next match.”

The Skins Sport Sleeves provide compression to improve circulation, and the seams on the sleeve are anchor points that reduce muscle vibration, resulting in less soreness the next day. You can also wear them after tennis to relieve pain and reduce fatigue. In a nutshell? They compress: enhancing circulation and delivering more oxygen to active muscles. This reduces lactic acid build-up and other metabolic wastes so you can go harder for longer and recover faster. Keep an eye out for them when we bring them back and aid your own recovery with a sleeve.

That’s it for today, now you know a little more about some of the boys on the team, and how they prevent and deal with their injuries. See ya, I’m off to have a hit with Carol!

Siobhan

But what about a technology that was designed to help out tennis players? This is where adidas comes in. With their innovative miCoach Speed Cell, we now have ways to track our performance out on a tennis court. Things like max speed, average speed and total distance traveled. You might ask, “But don’t we already have GPS watches that do the same thing?” Good question. The Speed Cell does all those things, but then it leaves those GPS devices in its dust. It can track things such as: total rallies, max rally length, distance traveled during a rally and max rally speed.* And that’s just scratching the surface. This small device attaches to any shoe and wirelessly transmits your information to your iphone/ipod or computer.

*A rally is started every time you move from a stationary position.

Screen shot of the miCoach website from my hit with fellow playtester, Carol

I’ve had a chance to try out this device and I immediately noticed how easy it was to use and setup. My adidas Barricade 7’s already had a built in area for the Speed Cell just underneath the insole of the left shoe. Once I had it in there, there was no button for me to turn on or off. I simply just had to go out and play; it would do the rest automatically. Once back for my hit or workout, I went to the adidas MiCoach Manager program on my computer or iPod I downloaded earlier and it was able to wirelessly sync up and pull the information from my Speed Cell. Once it synched up, I was able to see my results. And with the micoach website, I can even pick a training plan where I can work on my cardio or on strength and conditioning.

With this new training device, I can not only track my workouts off the court but for the first time, on the court as well.

See what adidas players Fernando Verdasco and Jack Sock think about this new training device. CLICK TO PLAY

Jason, TW