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Courtly Fashions: Looks From the US Open

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:00:21 -0700

Readers, you might be wondering why fashion maven Anna Wintour is gracing the pages of FitSugar. It is because this shot of her, with her hair slightly askew, is from the US Open. Anna is a tennis fan, and the style and sport intersection doesn't end there, so check out this US Open fashion slideshow. After all, what's not to love about short skirts and fierce athletes?

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Double Trouble: Two-Handled Tennis Racquet

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 03:00:50 -0700

Doubles partners Dann and Brian Battistone are double trouble in more ways than one. Not only are they brothers, but they also both play with two-handled tennis racquets. Equipped with forked handles, these swatters were designed with fitness in mind, to work both sides of the body equally. But the Battistones have found that the racquets work to their advantage come game time.

The rather bizarre racquets enable players to hit two-handed forehands as well as the more common two-handed backhand for extra power. The Battistones frequently switch grips while serving and hit open-stance forehands from both sides, though they admit that the racquet mostly appeals to kids and novices. Personally, I can't quite understand what advantage it would afford to intermediate or advanced players, but I guess it works for these guys.

Still don't quite get how it works? I've found a video that explains it, so to see it, read more.

Source

Gavin Is Thankful For His Time on the Court

PopSugar — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:30:00 -0800

Gavin Rossdale fit in a workout on the tennis court before the long holiday weekend in LA on Wednesday. The singer is a big fan of the game, and we can't help but admire his shirtless form which is looking even more amazing than last year's pre-Turkey Day game. Gavin and Gwen are great fitness role models, which they've already instilled in the boys with their frequent park visits including an annual Thanksgiving stroll.

For more photos of hot shirtless Gavin, just read more.

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Gear Review: Fila Tennis Collection

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:00:35 -0700

Tennis anyone? If you're a fan of volleying the ball across the court, you'll be happy to know Fila just came out with a new Fall collection of tennis gear - just in time to gear up for the US Open. The collection is called Heritage, with colors that are basic but bold, and the fit is sporty, yet feminine.

I wore the racerback tank ($50) and the skort ($45) to the court the other day for a test game. I love that the tank is high-cut and has a shelf bra sewn in, so my girls stay put as I race around the court. The tank is made with a lightweight fabric similar to swimsuit material. It feels silky and soft, and the mesh fabric on the back kept me cool and dry. The skort, made from the same material, is wonderful because the attached shorts aren't super tight. The whole outfit is really flattering and comfortable, and what's great is that it washes well too. If you're looking for a new tennis outfit and are willing to spend a little cash, it's worth checking out.

To see the rest of the collection, click on the pictures below.

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Serena Williams Named Woman of the Year

FitSugar — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:30:37 -0800

Looks like having a potty mouth won't hurt you too much. Serena Williams is one of 11 outstanding ladies Glamour magazine has chosen for its Women of the Year issue.

Glamour cites Williams's competitive spirit and drive as a testament to her success, even in the face of hardships like the tragic murder of her sister Yetunde and her rise through the rankings after suffering injuries in 2006. This year it all came full circle for Williams when she captured the Wimbledon victory against her sister, Venus - whom she credits as being a major force in motivating her to work the hardest and become the best.

Besides her Wimbledon victory, Williams has 11 Grand Slam titles, two Olympic gold medals, and has earned more prize money than any female athlete in history. But her trophies and bank account aren't the only reason Glamour thinks Williams is tops. Between winning matches, she's managed to start her own clothing line, pen an autobiography, and open a school in Kenya through her Serena Williams Foundation.

Who else did Glamour name as Women of the Year? Some of the other notables Williams holds court with are Michelle Obama, Maria Shriver, Rihanna, and poet Maya Angelou.

Ashley Harkleroad: First Female Tennis Player on Playboy

FitSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700

It's nothing new for female athletes to pose for Playboy (Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard and former volleyball player Gabrielle Reece have both posed), but Ashley Harkleroad is the first pro female tennis player to appear on the cover. Although she may not be well-known, she does rank in the top 100 in the world and recently moved up to 72. Harkleroad decided to pose for Playboy to show that athletic women could be sexy. Um, I'm not sure where she heard that they weren't, but I guess there are worse reasons to pose nude.

Her eight-page spread in the August 2008 issue is causing quite a stir on the tennis scene. She said:

"For me, I have a very natural body. I'm an athlete who is fit and not very big-busted at all. I'm proud of that. I wanted to show that female athletes, who are fit and muscular, can have very beautiful bodies just like regular models. l'll be the first tennis player ever. That's kind of cool."

I think it's great to be proud of your body, especially when Playboy's definition of sexy has traditionally been thin and big-busted ladies. To hear what Serena Williams said in response to Harkleroad's photos and to see the first page of her layout read more.

After hearing about Harkleroad's photo shoot, Serena said, "I can't say right now it's in any thought of my mind to be in that mag, but I'm happy for her if that's what she wanted to do. It takes a lot of courage." Well that's supportive and non-judgmental.

Although this photo isn't very revealing, as you turn the page, there are some topless shots of her on the court. Realistic? Harkleroad said, "I really didn't think it was that big of a deal." Do you admire this tennis player for showing off her athletic body, or do you think she's undermining the credibility of female athletes? Should there be some kind of rule about professional athletes posing nude? Would you want to show off your body if you worked hard to be fit and toned? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. I am truly curious to hear what you all think.

Fit Find Faves: Last Little Bits of Summer

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Summer is almost over and scrolling through all the Fit Finds made me realize there is still so much fun to squeeze into the last little bit of summer.

First off, Macmeggy bookmarked a really cute tennis outfit and I realized that I have not played nearly enough tennis. Next date with my hubbie will not be a movie, I am going to make him "court me!" Get it?

I am loving this sexy yoga top that nefertiti found. I have done lots of yoga this summer so this top reminds me to show off my shoulders more! Swimming also helped shape my shoulders, and this swim suit that dcartjunkie bookmarked makes me realize my days of swimming laps outside are numbered. I better get to the pool.

Last but not least, my feet long to wear these flip flops tdamji found. They are made from 85% recycled materials! I can cool my toes and fight climate change at the same time.

Nike Short-Sleeve Club Tee & Dri-FIT Border Skirt	kooshi.com - Toga Active Top
SpeedoUSA Xtra Life Quantum Spliced Super Proback	Beach Sandals recycled - mission playground

Check out what other Sugar users are bookmarking as Fit Finds. Chances are high you will find something to satisfy the happy, healthy you. If you want to lean more about bookmarking in the Sugar pages, read my buddy geeksugar's excellent tutorial.

If you find anything out there on the web that helps you stay happy and healthy, do bookmark it and share it with us.

Fitness Widget Heaven: Great Gear

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:30:00 -0700

I am loving the new widget feature on TeamSugar. I also love that you all love it too. Yes, I am having a veritable widget love fest, right here in this post.

The widgets made for the recent Team Challenge were great. The gear Sugar users bookmarked as Fit Finds are so great I had to share them with you. Super cool gear for fun activities.

The amount of hydrating products that montaglookalike bookmarked leads me to believe her tennis matches are long ones. The tennis outfit she bookmarked would surely make anyone feel like a pro!

SU3 found more than just the essentials for a great swimming workout. Her widget includes not only a swimsuit, but also a water bottle, as well as a sports bag to carry all your goodies.

When it comes to biking with the entire family hvnly34 knows her stuff. She bookmarked a bike trailer that converts into a stroller. Talk about smart gear.

Stay tuned for more Team and Fit challenges!!!

What to Expect From Your First Tennis Lesson

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:00:35 -0700

Welcome back to Tennis 101, where I'm offering tips to get you started playing tennis just in time for the 2009 US Open. You may be wondering: if I've never played tennis before, do I really need to take a lesson?

Though it's not required, taking a private lesson or attending a group clinic for beginners is the best way to start your tennis career. We may not all be as lucky as the girls in the photo, getting tips from professional tennis players Cara Black and Liezel Huber. But a good teaching pro will be able to hit the ball right to you, for whatever shot you are practicing. They can also offer detailed feedback on exactly what you're doing wrong. Even your best tennis-playing friends probably aren't that good.

To find out what to expect from your first tennis lesson, read more.

Decide if you want to take a private lesson or a group clinic. You'll get to hit a lot more balls in a private lesson, but it will also be more exhausting. A group lesson is a good option if you're on a budget; just find one that matches your skill level.
Wear comfortable clothes, such as shorts or a tennis skirt, and appropriate shoes. You should bring a racket but you won't need your own balls.
The pro will start by teaching a few tennis basics, like how to properly grip your racket.
You'll probably learn how to hit a forehand first, followed by a backhand, and you'll practice them over and over.
Hitting a tennis ball is much harder than it looks on TV, so don't get frustrated if at first you swing at a lot of air.
Also, tennis lessons are tiring. If you're taking a private lesson, don't be afraid to ask for a break; it's your time, and the pro will be happy to oblige.
The pro will quickly be able to tell you how to improve your swing, so listen to the feedback.
In a private or group lesson, you're going to hit a lot of balls. Pros will often pause and ask you to move stray balls off the court that could cause someone to trip.
At the end of the lesson - and sometimes during breaks - you're expected to help the pro pick up all the balls!

Have you ever taken a tennis lesson? If so, what surprised you about it?

Tennis 101: Do I Really Need Tennis Shoes?

FitSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:00:04 -0700

The 2009 US Open tennis tournament starts on Monday, so over the next week, I'll be schooling you in Tennis 101, offerings tips for beginners and seasoned hitters.

If you're starting to dabble in tennis, you may be wondering if you need specialized tennis shoes. Growing up, I called all athletic shoes "tennis shoes," but there is a reason we have different shoes for different sports. Tennis shoes have a blunter toe than running shoes and are designed for sharp cuts and forward charging. Though running shoes offer a cushioned sole, they are designed for steady, forward motion and don't offer enough support for all that side-to-side movement. Not wearing the right shoe could lead to injury.

If it's your first lesson, you probably don't want to splurge on a new pair of tennies, but check the regulations at the court where you'll be playing, since many don't allow dark-soled shoes that could scuff the court. If you own a pair of cross trainers, wear those instead of running shoes, as they offer better support. And once you've decided to give tennis a serious shot, it's definitely worth it to buy a pair of tennis-specific shoes.