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Ease Sore Muscles With a Tennis Ball

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:57 -0700

Getting a massage is not always an affordable option to relieve sore muscles. I use The Stick at home but when I'm on the go it's not something I can take with me. Because of its size, a tennis ball provides on the spot muscle relief wherever you are.

Here's how I've been using mine:

For leg muscles I sit down on the floor with my legs outstretched and place the ball underneath myself where the thigh meets the butt. I slowly move from side-to-side and let the ball work itself over my muscles, placing my hands on the floor for support. This motion can be worked all the way down leg. After that's done, I turn over and place the tennis ball under the front of my thigh and start the rolling motion all over again.
For my back, I place a tennis ball between myself and a wall - this works especially well for the muscles near the neck and shoulders. Lean back into the ball and let it roll back and forth over your muscles.
Use a tennis ball underneath the arch of your foot to relieve tired muscles. Sit down in a chair and place the tennis ball under your foot. Put some pressure on the ball and let it roll up and down the muscles of the foot. This is an easy way to get a great foot massage!

The basic idea is that you can work a tennis ball into a trigger point with just a little bit of pressure. If you need to cover greater surface area, put a few tennis balls into a long sock and tie off the end.

Two Reasons to Toss Tennis Balls in the Washer . . . and Dryer!

PetSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:15:03 -0700

While I'd recommend tossing (in the garbage) any tennis balls with signs of fraying or peeling rubber, it's a good idea to wash those you'll be keeping this season. Think of all the dirt from endless games of fetch and throw them in the washing machine with some towels and pet-safe detergent.

After the fuzzy balls are cleaned up, you can air out or pop them in a dryer for a special trick. If you add a tennis ball to the dryer, it can help fluff up your drying towels, down bedding or other clothes that need an extra puff and fluff – bonus!

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Does Your Dog Have a Favorite Tennis Ball Size?

PetSugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:30:56 -0800

Let's get the ball rolling in '09! It's important to have the right tennis toss for those wintry afternoons of catch with your pet. That's not to say all animal sizes won't get a kick out of the standard ball, but the small tennies are more catch-worthy for lil mouths where they could be a choking hazard to the big dogs. From teeny tiny ones (usually 1.5-inch in diameter) to the super sized (5-inches in diameter), which ball do you think your pooch would like best?

Ball Stomp'r: Spoiled Sweet or Spoiled Rotten?

PetSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:15:10 -0700

Here's yet another way to chuck a tennis ball without actually throwing it – time to use the power of da' feet. The Ball Stomp'r ($12) features a launch tube that fits a standard-sized ball and when you step, it soars up to 100 feet! If your dogs love to fetch and your throwing arm works about as well as mine (read: not good), this could be a nice option . . . and there's even a mini version ($8) for those teeny tennies. Will you step up for this product?

Tips for Novice Tennis Players

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:15:00 -0700

Tennis is a great way to get moving this summer. However, if you're new to the sport then you know first hand that not knowing how to play very well can make for a frustrating afternoon. Everyone has to start somewhere, so here are a few tips that will hopefully ease the frustration and help you stick with it.

Take lessons, even if you're not a first time player. Aside from learning a few tips and tricks, one of the best things about taking a lesson is that the coach can help you break the bad habits you may have picked up (bad grip, bad swing, etc) along the way.
Play "no out-of-bounds". This may seem crazy to tennis pros, but the game can get a little frustrating when a newbie hits the ball out-of-bounds every time she swings, which means the game never really gets going. So in the beginning, play with a "no out-of-bounds" rule to actually get some volley time in. Still not going smoothly? Then until you get the hang of it, think about allowing the ball to bounce more than once.
Practice makes good, not perfect. Tennis is one of those games where, unless you're André Agassi, you'll have good times and then you'll have times where you're embarrassed to be on the court. This is normal. It happens to everyone. Keep on practicing.
Get good equipment, but not the most pricey. All you really need to play tennis is a decent all around racket and some average tennis balls. Tennis gear can get quite expensive and there is no need to splurge before you've even decided if you like the sport. If you find that you love tennis, then you can splurge on the convenient bag, pink tennis balls and cute tennis dress.
Bring a lot of balls. If there is one thing I can tell you before heading to the court on your new tennis endeavors it is to bring a lot of balls along. Nothing is more frustrating than only having one or two balls that you have to retrieve every one or two minutes.

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Get in Gear: Pink Penn Tennis Balls

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 02:00:00 -0700

I like the bright yellow tennis balls and all, but they can get boring. Every so often it's fun to bring the girly-ness back into sports with a splash of color.

This is why I am loving these Pink Penn Tennis Balls ($3.25 for a can of three). The tennis ball giant, Penn, has joined the fight against breast cancer and created the Pink Ball. This optic pink felt, championship quality tennis ball is designed to promote awareness of breast cancer and help provide funds to research a cure. Penn donates a portion of sales from each can of pink tennis balls to breast cancer research. What's better than playing with pink balls all while helping the fight against breast cancer? I'm all in.

You can buy them online from Amazon.

Cool Idea: Tennis Ball Chair

CasaSugar — Mon, 18 May 2009 05:30:00 -0700

In general, a wacky design like Hugh Hayden's Tennis Ball Chair would head straight for the Love It or Hate It box. But I think it's an innovative and eco-friendly repurposing of an object that's not meant for interiors. The chair apparently bounces and jiggles just like a tennis ball does, without losing shape, which is engaging and fun! It's definitely a modern design, but I'd like to see it in a traditional home - I'm thinking a blue and white Hamptons cottage or a pale place like this cool California home. It would perfect for a family with kids but also might be just the thing to get grownups to lighten up every now and then.
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Bring the US Open Love Home!

PetSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:00:33 -0700

Today marks the start of the US Open (which coincidentally coincided six years ago today when I brought North home to NYC)! To celebrate the beginning of this event, I'm rounding up the first round thing to come to mind . . . tennis balls, obviously.
North loves the extra small Air Kong versions 'cause they're super squeaky and fit him perfectly. (He usually tears all the fabric off a normal doggy tennis ball to use the frays to fetch 'em since they don't fit in his mouth.) Since he's pretty darn destructive, I'm shocked how long it takes him to kill the squeakers in this version – they sometimes last a couple months, which is an eternity in his chompers. From flavored to colored, check out all my faves . . . and don't forget to bring Daisy home, too!

Relax Anywhere: Achy Feet

FitSugar — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 08:45:00 -0700

After a long run, my feet can be quite achy. Aside from complaining to my husband a lot, I usually just deal with it. However I recently discovered a fabulous and easy technique for massaging your sore feet, and all you need is a tennis ball.

Here's what you do: While seated, place a tennis ball under the ball of your foot. Roll the ball back and forth under the arch of your foot several times. Use as much or as little pressure as is comfortable for you. I usually do about a minute under each arch.

That's it. I promise it will ease those tired feet. Also, if you know you're going to be walking a lot on your next vacation, throw a tennis ball in your suitcase. Feet ache after a long day at work? Keep a tennis ball in your desk for a mid-day massage. Try it and let me know what you think.

Simple Solution For Your Sore Feet

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:00:00 -0800

My feet can always use some extra love and care, and a nightly foot massage just isn't an option for me (though that would be a welcome Valentine's Day treat). Our tootsies go through enough on an average day of walking around in not-so-comfortable shoes or running errands, but they really take a beating when a long workout is part of the equation.

Here's a simple solution for your sore feet: Grab any tennis-sized ball that hasn't been claimed by your pup and place it under the arch of your foot. Roll it along your arch and shift to whatever part of your foot needs attention. The movement will massage your sore feet and release some tension from your long day.

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