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How does tennis affect your body?

Author

Emily Ross

Published Jan 18, 2026

increasing aerobic capacities. lowering resting heart rate and blood pressure. improving metabolic function. increasing bone density.

Does tennis get you in shape?

Tennis is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that improves muscular strength, endurance, balance, coordination, and agility. Since you need a partner to play a match, it can also increase social interactions. Plus, tennis is a sport you can play at any age.

Is tennis hard on your body?

Tennis is a sport that puts a lot of stress on your muscles and joints, particularly if you are playing on hard courts. When you take time off and you are not performing the very specific movements that tennis possesses, it is highly likely that your muscles, and even joints will be sore once you return.

Does playing tennis burn fat?

Tennis is the most physically challenging sports, and if you play it consistently, you can shed some kilos and tone your body. Playing singles is a high calorie-burning activity, but even doubles can help you shed unwanted fat from the body.

What are the 10 benefits of playing tennis?

What are the 10 ways playing tennis makes you healthier and...

  • You get a full body workout. ...
  • It reduces the risk of a heart attack. ...
  • You improve your stamina. ...
  • It tones muscles all over your body. ...
  • You'll lose weight. ...
  • It's good for your bones. ...
  • You'll improve your balance. ...
  • It makes you agile.
41 related questions found

Is tennis the healthiest sport?

After tracking more than 8,500 people for over 25 years, the data showcased that seven sports contributed to increased life expectancy for active participants compared to sedentary peers. Tennis was not only included in the seven sports that contribute to a healthier life, but it came in on top.

Is it good to play tennis everyday?

There are many ways that tennis improves your overall physical health such as lowering your resting heart rate and decreasing your blood pressure. In addition, it can lower body fat while improving muscle tone, strength and flexibility, as well as improving metabolic function.

Does tennis tone your arms?

Even if you play tennis for a couple of hours every week, you will be able to tone every inch of your arms, including your biceps, triceps, shoulders, and forearms.

Does tennis make your arms bigger?

How much does playing tennis affect muscle growth though? I would think a tennis racket isn't strong enough but maybe you can make a lot of gains just from playing tennis. It's noticeable, but really not a big deal. Your dominant arm will of course be bigger, if you don't workout your non-dominant arm.

Is tennis better than gym?

The results revealed that the tennis players enjoyed a more favourable BMI and displayed better upper body and lower extremity function than the gym-goers who are those not used to holding a racket. Jackson explains: “As we age, we lose muscle mass and we lose bone mineral density over time.

What are the disadvantages of tennis?

Disadvantages of Tennis

  • Potential for serious injuries.
  • Tennis equipment can be costly.
  • Not a team sport.
  • Tennis cannot be played alone.
  • Lack of tennis courts.
  • Tennis takes some time to learn.
  • Motivation might be a problem.
  • Tennis may be time-consuming.

What are 3 facts about tennis?

Tennis Fun Facts

  • Before tennis players used rackets, people would use the palm of their hands to hit the ball back and forth over the net. ...
  • Before yellow tennis balls, they were white. ...
  • The origin of the tennis term “love” is unknown. ...
  • During a match, a player on average runs 3 miles. ...
  • Racket versus racquet.

Why does my back hurt after tennis?

The tennis serve hyperextends the lower back and can compress lumbar discs. This hyperextension can stress the small joints in the spine, lumbar discs, and muscles, ligaments, and tendons around the spine.

Is tennis a good exercise?

Based on the definition above, tennis can be considered a very good cardio workout. You're moving frequently, using your arms and legs, raising your heart rate, and breathing more frequently. Some tennis exercises (like rallies or moving) will be better cardio workouts than others (short points).

What is the biggest health benefit playing tennis can give you?

Health benefits of tennis

increasing aerobic capacities. lowering resting heart rate and blood pressure. improving metabolic function. increasing bone density.

Does tennis work your abs?

Every tennis game or practice session works both major ab regions simultaneously, so the increased definition is noticeable and consistent. Playing tennis truly is a full body workout.

Does tennis slim your legs?

In tennis, athletes squat, sprint, jump and turn -- activities that strengthen the glutes, quads and calves. In addition, tennis is a great way to lose overall body fat; a 150-pound adult will burn approximately 570 calories in a 60-minute doubles game.

How often should you play tennis?

So if you're in good health, and under age 30, you can safely play at a high level 3-4 times per week. If you're between 30-50, 2-3 times per week is a good number. After age 50, you might not want to play competitive tennis more than twice a week, and if you must exceed that number, keep the 3rd match friendly.

What muscles does tennis exercise?

Due to the swinging of the racket, tennis is often thought of as an upper-body sport, but your leg muscles, including your glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and calves, are doing most of the work out on the court.

Is tennis better than running?

Calories Burned

According to the Mayo Clinic, a singles tennis match burns 584 calories for a 160-pound person, while high-impact aerobics burns 533 during that same time. Tennis also provides a longer post-workout calorie burn.

How do you get a tennis player body?

Try to include a combination of exercises, such as straight-arm rowing, dips, chest presses, push-ups and medicine ball drills. In order to keep progressing and building muscle and tone in your arms you have to make sure you keep your training sessions varied.

How does tennis help your brain?

Boosted Brain Power

Playing tennis can improve critical thinking, mental alertness, and tactical thinking by making connections in the brain. Tennis also helps regulate serotonin—a brain chemical linked to functions such as sleep cycle, appetite, and your emotional state.

Is tennis more physical or mental?

We all know the old adage that tennis is just as much of a mental game as a physical game. However, tennis is actually significantly more mental than physical – 84.2 percent mental to be exact, according to two time Olympic gold medalist and 17 time Grand Slam champion Gigi Fernandez.

How does tennis help your mind?

Playing tennis regularly helps the brain release serotonin and endorphins. Higher levels of these two neurotransmitters have been shown to decrease stress, anxiety and depression, while positively influencing someone's mood and sleep. Consistent exercise, like tennis, boosts your self-confidence and body image.

What sport helps you live the longest?

According to research in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings involving data from The Copenhagen City Heart Study (CCHS), certain sports can help you live stronger and longer.
...

  • Tennis: 9.7 years.
  • Badminton: 6.2 years.
  • Soccer: 4.7 years.
  • Cycling: 3.7 years.
  • Swimming: 3.4 years.
  • Jogging: 3.2 years.
  • Calisthenics: 3.1 years.