TennisIDENTITY

Serena Williams' special collection celebrates Black History Month at the Australian Open

Black History Month is February and Serena Williams is celebrating early with this on-court collection created by Nike.

"Black History Month, America celebrates the invaluable contributions that the African-American community has made to the culture and history of our nation." (NAACP.org). Serena, best know for her success on court, looks to be growing her presence as an ambassador in other areas. Most recently she was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.

Pictured above the four items in this special group. Alas they are not available at retail. Too bad! Looks to me like a good fundraising opportunity. The stuff is fun.

New products for your gym bag:

New products to consider carrying in your gym or tennis bag:

1.) Definitely not something to play tennis with but handy for training, running, treadmills or stationary biking. It's a lightweight pocket for your upper arm that can hold your mobile device and feed headphones to your ears without tangling or worse, phone dropping. The clear touch-screen allows in motion device operation. Multiple interior pockets can fit your phone/iTouch, key, gym pass and inhaler or any small-sized critical needs you carry to the gym or road with you.

Bonus (for me at least), the Armpocket Sport i-20 ($29.95 USD) also fit the mi-coach click-in heart monitor attachment I use on my iPhone. The Armpocket comes in a variety of sizes and colors and is made with moisture wicking materials to keep your skin from getting irritated. Make sure the model you consider fits your device and arm.

2.) Tis the season for dry skin and standard soaps can make things worse.  Kiss My Face makes a new Peace Soap Castille liquid soap that is mild, hydrating and moisturing. Keep it at home and in your gym bag and your skin will thank you,  $2.99 for a 3.40 oz gym size. You can also use it to wash your hair. I love the lavender mandarin scent but there are others. Good for you and the world,10% of all profits from this soap go to the Seeds of Peace organization (develops relationships and leadership skills among young people from regions of conflict).

3.) Still feeling reptillian? Try the company's all-natural moisturizers (not new but I'm a fan) app. $4.99 for a 4 oz tube. Love that these are all natural and never tested on animals. 

4.) Lastly, when you simply must play and run, take a Paper Shower. 

Paper Shower is a new two body wipe combo that'll clean you up and hold you over. Each pack comes with two large-sized towelettes (9" x 12"ea), one wet and one dry. The wet one is saturated with gentle cleaning ingredients with enough power to clean up a light sweat. The dry one is soft and absorbent leaving your skin dry, not sticky or laden with chemicals, $7.50 per pack include 6 wet/dry towelettes (that's $1.25 per pack with free shipping).

And what about your hair you ask? Good question. Dry shampoo solves the hair issue. I like KMS Hair Play Makeover Spray (yes, guys can use it too).

 

Training tool for tennis: Pro Trainer WinSock

The PT WinSock is a slide-on, weighted tennis training tool that builds strength and racquet control while hitting balls.  

"For beginners," says WinSock inventor/owner Bill Gibson, "it is very useful in learning to execute a full finish on ground strokes, to let the racket turn them in recovery to the center, and to develop upper body strength. [The device] delivers a powerful and reliable swing movement and dramatically improves swing speed and swing mechanics."

Gibson recommends short, moderate speed sessions of 10 to 20 strokes (each) for best results at all levels.

So, how does it work? The added 8 ozs. of weight, equally distributed at both sides of the racquet throat, necessitates that you hold your racquet more firmly and in the correct position while hitting. Use it to groove groundies or volleys and to develop strength, muscle memory and faster, controlled racquet speed that can help generate more spin and power.

 I found the WinSock easy to put on and take off, simple to work into a training regime in the recommended small doses. You do not need to hit hard to reap the benefits. Go easy to begin, especially if you do not lift/work out regularly. One extra note, the company recommends that you do not serve using WinSock. The service motion, however, is ok.

Find it at PTWinSock, $30 USD. Not recommended for children using kid sized racquets as young muscles are not developed enough to handle the extra weight.

Book review: Tennis Skills & Drills

Tennis Skills & Drills is a new book by 8 year ATP tour veteran Joey Rive and Scott Williams, former coach to Tommy Haas and Max Mirnyi. The book is more of a tennis manual than long read and does a nice job explaining modern day stroke techniques, shot making and game tactics for all player levels. 

This is a great have-at-home especially for for those trying to grow their game without the benefit of regular private lessons.The authors have gone into tremendous detail on just about every aspect of shotmaking.They even cover game-plan breakdowns.

It's like the tennis instruction diary I've tried to create based upon multiple lessons and always dropped. You can skip around from section to section focusing on what your game needs most or what you have coming up (big match). Doubles players there is a tactics section for you too.

At $24.95 Tennis Skills & Drills is a fraction of the cost of an hour lesson and worth it if you are willing to take the time to read and absorb.

Look for world #5, David Ferrer, on the cover. Yeah, I'd like to have HIS game. Published by Human Kinetics and available now at bookstores everywhere..

Spotted at a Tournament. Cheap massage for tight muscles.

To most of us courtside massages are luxuries, available to touring tennis pros and those at high-level tournaments. Fact is pros require them. Clearly they are important to playing well.

So what to do when you are a weekend warrior or simply don't have the bucks for massage? Do it yourself.

I recently spotted the Foam Roller (top pic), and hand held Roller Massager (below) at a tennis tournament. Both devices work like a real massage would, sinking into soft tissue to elongate muscles, rolling out tightness and increasing blood flow to soft areas. The hard foam roller feels grrrrreat on a tight back.

Ryan Ginley, Senior Director of High Performance and Player Development at Intensity in Norwalk Connecticut is a believer. He travels with the foam roller and has his junior players work with it before and after matches.

"The massage you get from using the roller helps keep you feeling fresh and loose,"says Ginley." "To be honest there is some discomfort associated with it and tight muscles but the benefit of refreshed, pliable muscles is enormous. Some of these kids are playing two or even three tough matches in a day and the 15-20 minutes we take for massage before and after makes a difference. My players stay looser than they would without it." 

Both rollers come with complete instructions on the best ways to use them. The high density Foam Roller is made in a few sizes and will cover larger areas like your back. The  6" diameter x 35" length is versatile and runs $29.95. 

The Roller Massager, $27.95, is for calves, thighs, shoulders and smaller spots. It will pop right into your tennis bag ready for a quick tune up whenever you need it.

Find the rollers at Pro-Tec Athletics.

 

 

Tough eco-friendly love for your tennis apparel.

The laundry detergent you use matters. If you read the care labels on your tennis apparel you've likely seen an increase in instructions designed to keep specially treated fabrics working the way they should. What you are using could be washing out a lot of what you've paid for.

An option to consider: Roux Maison makes a new eco-friendly Sport Detergent that eliminates dirt, odor and bacteria that can thrive and hang in technical workout wear. The synthetic-free biodegradable formula is gentle on performance fabrics, maintaining elasticity, breathing and wicking qualities. And yes, it truly does get that stink out.

The formula is available in Ambrosia and Sweet Tea scents as well as Fragrance Free; $16.99 USD for a 16 oz bottle that will do 40 loads of wash (.42 cents a load). Just two tiny capfuls per load? Believe me it's all you need. Don't add more.

Buy online at Roux Maison.

Penn introduces Pro Penn Marathon tennis ball for hard, clay and high altitude courts.

As the name suggests, this tennis ball is designed to last longer than most. It feels bad chucking one-match used balls (I give them to pupp-ay or toss 'em in a practice hopper) but that's been a fact of tennis life.

Penn’s newest tennis ball, the Pro Penn Marathon, not only offers greater longevity than past Penn balls but also better durability and visibility. 

Encore Technology is the core compound that maximizes longer-lasting playing properties. By using a proprietary blend of natural and man-made polymers, ball softening is limited. The core stays fresher longer, playing fresh from the can longer. 

Pro Penn Marathon has a 22% longer lasting core compared to Penn’s original Pro Penn+ tennis ball (and those have actually been among the best for hopper ball longevity according to a few teaching pros I've spoken with).

LongPlay felt combines wool and high tenacity fibers for durability and Smart Optik treatment keeps the balls cleaner and brighter looking throughout play as they don't pick up dirt as readily.

The new ball will hit stores worldwide January 2012 and will be offered in Extra-Duty (for hard courts), Regular-Duty (for soft courts) and Extra-Duty High Altitude.

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Samantha Stosur wears sporty fresh Lacoste at US Open

I like this look, sleek and powerful. I am a fan, of the new dress, Stosur and her ever-present eyewear. 

PIctured here at the US Open, Stosur wears the new Sleeveless Stretch Pique Striped Dress in Eclipse Blue by Lacoste, $135. White and ultraviolet purple color blocking is added in discreet doses and in ways that don't add the illusion of weight to a body.

See ya drawstring dress. This one is a BIG improvement.

Extras. The jersey tennis panty is $40 in white. The visor does not appear to be available in the US and there is a cute fleece zip that goes with it.

Based on a sample I checked out the dress fabric is a performance poly blend (sewn in label says it is). Lacoste's site says it's mostly cotton* (but it doesn't feel like it). I like a made-for-action fabric better anyway.

That eyewear! Sam is wearing Oakley Enduring frames ($180 to start) with Positive Red Iridium lenses (available to public via custom order or by buying the accessory lenses). The lenses adjust to varied light conditions automatically. Sam's lenses are also polarized to cut glare by 99%.

Find this hot ticket shift at Lacoste, Tennis-Warehouse and other tennis retailers worldwide. Find the eyewear or a dealer at Oakley 

*9/13 Post update: Lacoste has confirmed that the fabrication of the dress is indeed 93% polyester/7%elastane.

 

 

Obsession: Maria Sharapova's new tennis racquet bag from HEAD.

Maria Sharapova has a hot new tennis bag. Gone is the racquet shaped bag she's been carrying (although you can still buy it). This one resembles a relaxed yet luxe quilted duffle with two sections.

Accented with gold hardware and lettering (MS and Head), leather tassels and sky blue interior it's pretty and sophisticated, a well thought-out user-friendly tennis bag that will appeal to the style conscious woman who never carries a mega branded bag (horrors!). The racquet section like the traditional racquet bag is thermo protected and holds 3 racquets.

One flattering color, black will go well with any tennis outfit. That interior BTW matches the HEAD Instinct S racquet Sharapova is swinging with. The bag retails for $100.00 USD.

Find a retailer at HEAD or buy at Tennis Warehouse or tennis retailers selling HEAD worldwide.

Here's more if you need it:

 

Who gets the point? The rules of unofficiated tennis matches. Friend at Court 2011.

There are a myriad of odd situations that come up during unofficiated tennis matches: A ball rolls on court during a point, someone's contact lens falls out, a player purposely distracts his or her opponent while serving. Wouldn't it be nice to know the offical call right then and there and put an end to the guessing?

Friend at Court The USTA Handbook of Tennis Rules and Regulations 2011 is a big help when issues arise and it's a FREE downloadable PDF (click that last link) making it easy to reference on court via your smartphone. Bookmark it and you've got the word on just about anything that could possibly come up.

Want the book for your bag instead? Buy it at the USTA shop.

Round-Up: Headbands for tennis

There are two kinds of headbands for tennis, those designed to keep sweat out of your eyes and those that keep hair out of your face.

First, the sweat managers:

Nike's swoosh bandanas are 100% cotton (stays wet while sweating), $12. If you've got the face and hair, these look darn good (case in point on left). adidas, K-Swiss and Fila, also make a tie variety (all are poly blend).

Right, by adidas, are the more traditional cotton terry variety, 75% cotton with stretch, $5.99 for two. Let's just say it's a very functional style. I see a lot of these on men. Fila, Nike, K-Swiss and Lacoste also make them.

bondiband makes a thin sweat wicking headband in multiple colors and fun/motivational prints, $8.00. All are meant to be worn across the forehead or at the hairline (as pictured here). They are attractive and very quick-drying (so you are never wearing a soaking band). Look for the one with crossed tennis racquets in the sport section. They carry quite a few men's styles as well. 

Second, the hair managers:

Women who wear these do not feel comfortable with a headband across their forehead. Problem is, comfortable, functional, hair-taming bands are hard to find because most slip unless sitting at the hairline or forehead. Many wear hard u shaped plastic bands.

What you need to look for are headbands with strips of silicone gripper tape on the side against your hair. Yoga manufacturers like Lululemon sell these. Their Slipless Headband, $12, is pictured here. I've also seen silicone lined bands at Athleta. I am not finding them yet in branded tennis apparel.

Find adidas, Nike, Fila, K-Swiss and Lacoste headbands at Tennis-Warehouse and tennis retailers worldwide.

 

Towel off with the Wimbledon 125th Anniversary Championships.

Most avid players carry a towel for mopping up sweat, drying hands, showering, whatever. Quite a few have a pretty dingy looking one. Freshen up your racquet bag with a signature Wimbledon towel. Yes, these are the decent size ones (not hand towel size) you are seeing on court in London.

Limited edition towels, available in signature green/purple and a very feminine cerise/sky blue, $43.77 USD. Personalize them for FREE with 3 initials.70 cm x 133 (app 28" x 52")

Find them at the Wimbledon shop.

About that String Thing.

The String Thing is a lightweight hand-held tool that will quickly and evenly straighten your tennis racquet strings with a few quick up and down swipes. Straight, in position strings mean better hits. 

We've all pushed the lone string or two back in position with our fingers, something pretty easy to do, but this little gadget covers your whole racquet face fast straightening all of your strings in less than 6 seconds. It really works well.

Interestingly this little device is popular with women who pay big to keep their nails looking lovely. For manicured nails straightening tight strings by hand is a no-no. I've seen polish adorned hands pushing strings around with pens and keys.

The String Thing is available for both open (16 x19) and dense (18 x20) string patterns. $19.95 USD. More info or buy at String Thing, Tennis-Warehouse as well as many tennis retailers in the US.

 

TENNIS Magazine's Buyer's Guide 2011

TENNIS Magazine's 2011 Buyer's Guide is in their May issue. Pick one up if you don't subscribe.

If you are in the market for a new racquet or shoes this issue outlines playtester reviews of what's new with the biggest brands and tells it like the players felt it.

Read the dets closely and don't just buy a racquet model because your favorite player uses it. Look for features that suit YOUR game style.

In the background...my lovely Fila jacket, the one Kim Clijsters wore when she won the 2009 US Open. Still looks great doesn't it?

 

The power of Power Balance.

I've seen Power Balance bracelets on a myriad of pro athletes. In tennis Victoria Azarenka, Mardy Fish and Sam Querrey are all wearers. But do these bracelets really work? 

 Power Balance touts its products as helping to improve balance, strength and flexibility. Earlier this year however, the company released a statement indicating that these claims may have been misleading.

According to the Power Balance website the brand is committed to bringing performance innovation to every athlete in the world from professional to recreational. We want everyone, no matter their level of activity, to maximize their potential and live life to the fullest." It goes on to note that "The founders of Power Balance™ have always believed in the benefits of various holistic practices and Eastern philosophies and set out to develop a product to more easily and affordably embody these beliefs."

The power of positive thinking may be big factor here. I found no scientific evidence on the site or packaging that explains how the technology works and so it could be that the "power" of the silicone bracelet with hologram insignias comes from being one with an elite group of athletes like Shaquille O'Neal, Dustin Pedroia, Drew Brees and many more. They do wear them to compete. Positive thinking IS powerful (as is celebrity endorsement) and just like we feel a little like Rafa wearing his shoes, or like Roger in a Rolex (will likely never experience that one), it is possible that people feel part elite athlete wearing Power Balance products simply by association and by the power of suggestion.

People do report feeling good wearing these. Karma baby. I am reminded of a quote: "Everything that is created begins in the mind" (Ruth Fishel, 1988).

More info at Power Balance. A bracelet retails for $30 and comes in a myriad of colors and collectible styles.

 

 

 

Is your tennis game headed outside again? Consider a string tension adjustment.

Those of us not lucky enough to live south are starting to head outside to play tennis again. After being indoors all winter the change takes adjustment. Going from 70 degrees to 48 takes some obvious wardrobe changes; add game adjustments factoring in wind, sun and noise but what about racquet strings?

I asked Ron Yu at Priority One (P1) tennis about making stringing adjustments for colder temperatures.

"Adjusting strings due to playing conditions can be a difficult thing to figure out since it can vary from player to player, said Yu. "In most cases, players will increase tension a bit when it gets warmer, and lower tension a bit when it gets colder.  So for players moving outdoors to colder conditions, they may want to lower tensions a pound or two."

That said, Yu added that "some of our clients like Gael Monfils will stick to the same tension regardless of the weather conditions.  He'll string his racquets at 26/25 kilograms no matter where he is."

And so, as in many things related to tennis, it's personal feel. 

Here's a quick way to kill that slump. Protein shots.

Provide Gold One-Shot protein is a new to market liquid protein for athletes. A one-ounce portion size is a nice feature for those who need quick and fast working fuel before and after a workout.

Provide Gold One-Shot Protein delivers 15 grams of hydrolyzed collagen protein in the single ounce. It requires no prep or refrigeration and is pre-digested with fruit enzymes for rapid cell absorption. “Because Provide Gold is concentrated and predigested, the complete amino acid profile is in a form that can be immediately used by the body to build muscle and aid in recovery – allowing athletes to enjoy the powerful benefits of hydrolyzed protein WHILE exercising,” said Dr. Joyce Gilbert, PhD, RD, LD/N Magaram Center for Food Science, Nutrition & Dietetics at California State University Northridge.

“Protein molecules are notoriously hard to break-down by the body," says Gilbert. "There is usually a long time lag between eating protein and its' eventual absorption and utilization by the body. For example, some protein products will not benefit the body for many hours...Provide Gold is different in that it benefits the body immediately rebuilding muscles and aiding in recovery.”

According to the company, the elixir is engineered to preserve fluid and pH balance as well as transport oxygen, vitamins, and minerals to target cells throughout the body. It helps to achieve a more balanced amino acid profile, improve action at the cellular level and deliver nutritional support. The product contains all the essential, non-essential and conditionally essential amino acids to help your body naturally reach peak performance levels of strength and endurance. No caffeine, lactose or banned substances.  Ingredients include enhanced amounts of taurine, cysteine, histidine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan.

Available in 30 oz bottles at Provide Gold. $35 for 30 oz in regular and sugar free flavors.  Recommended dose is 1 oz 30 mins before a workout and again 30 mins after (100 calories regular, 30 in the sugar-free).

So what's it taste like? My opinion, like a liquid Warhead. Super sweet/sour with a sticky consistency. Take a shot with a little food. It's a pretty potent option when you need that extra boost.

Sunblock and sweat. No longer enemies on court.

Neutrogena has just come out with Wet Skin Sunblock Spray. Spray it on over wet (sweaty) skin and it cuts right through to form a UVA/UVB sun protective barrier. Use it during play when you need to reapply. The spray will keep your hands from getting slick.

Sweatproof, waterproof, oil and PABA free. It runs $9 -$11 (higher SPFs cost more). In theory, because it's sweatproof, you shouldn't have to reapply but "sweatproof" doesn't take into account regular toweling or dripping mega sweaters. Better safe than burned.

Find it at food and drug stores and here on amazon.

Official 2011 Babolat Roland-Garros tennis equipment announced.

Two historic French brands have teamed up to offer a new Roland Garros range created by Babolat. The line-up includes tennis racquets, tennis bags, balls, over grips and more all themed with the color of the French Open's clay courts. Mais oui, yes they are sharp looking.

The Aeropro Drive French Open is the showpiece and comes in three Roland Garros versions to suit your ability: Aeropro Drive French Open, $199 unstrung (Nadal and Tsonga use this stick), E Sense Comp French Open, $99 strung (lighter of the two adult racquets), Aeropro Drive Junior French Open $140 strung.  Head sizes are the same on all three. Differences are in weight and construction. All are cosmetic updates to existing Babolat frames.

The Roland-Garros tennis bag comes as a six $60 or twelve pack $80, both have the isotherm racquet compartment which protects your string job from big temperature changes. There is also a back pack for $40 and club bag. New themed tennis balls, over grips and dampeners are also part of the collection.

Find the line soon at Tennis Warehouse or find a local retailer at Babolat. Available May 2011.

 

 

 

Drinkin' green on court. Hydration via Vapur.

Vapur, the good-for-the-earth "anti-bottle," is designed to let you tap water or whatever you drink on court anywhere. Tennis players, these space savers stand tall when filled and fold flat to a fraction when empty; no more empty water bottles rolling around your bag or at home on the counter. 

FDA approved and BPA free they are $10 USD for the .5L with a carabiner to attach to your bag. Wash in the dishwasher upside down. Freezable too. If you drink a lot while you play, bring two or more. I go through one pretty quickly.

According to Vapur only 23% of the 50 billion water bottles sold annually worldwide are recycled. 38 billion are dumped in landfills. Do your part, use a recyclable bottle and refill with tap water; 89% in the US meets or exceeds regulations. 

Find the bottles at Vapur or use the Find Store button on the site.

Prince unveils a slime green Beast XP in its new tennis string.

There has been a mysterious new tennis string on the market for the last six months. It was known simply as the green string of 361 nation. The users? Elite juniors participating in high level tournaments such as Eddie Herr and Kalamazoo. Hawked out of tents at these big deal events, young poly string loving players flocked and tried. What young gun wouldn't try something new, cool, dangerous looking and free? The slime green color, sly eye on the package and mystery of a new company all proved irresistible. They gave it a try and yes, they liked. Within the test period over 1,200 players in 50+ countries turned to the string and registered with the nation.

Day 1 at Australian Open 2011 was big reveal day for Prince. Yes, it is Prince behind the test, a company not known for success with poly string, which is why they kept the project under wraps.

With serious research and testing behind them, Prince has officially released Beast XP 1.30/16 g., a new thermo polymer string that is said to perform well at all tensions, create a lower trajectory (allowing you to take a bigger and faster swing at the ball) and offer great spin-ability. It has gotten high ratings from its new users in power, feel, comfort, spin and playability categories. Some players use it as a full set, others as mains in a hybrid job.

Prince says that its ATP and WTA players have been more cautious to transition to the string than juniors have been. Shahar Peer and Martina Sanchez are among the first to use it on the pro tour.

MSRP $15 USD. Learn more at BeastXP or buy soon at Tennis-Warehouse and tennis retailers worldwide.

Cheap Tennis Fix under $20. Flair for Your Strings.

Tennis racquet vibration dampeners are designed to reduce the shock you feel when hitting a ball. Some people use them, some don't. If you do, express yourself baby.

Unlike the movie Office Space, less is more when it comes to flair. Suit your mood or interests, or have one custom made for your team. Find them at String-a-ma-jig. $4 each for ready-mades.

Tennis-Warehouse has all the brand name logo'd ones: Babolat, Prince, Gamma, Wilson and more...

String-a-mag-jig has the "smiley" Novak Djokovic used to use. I miss it. He's got a HEAD one in at the moment. That's the contract talking. 

Rule change indicates 10 and unders find tennis success with junior sized equipment.

"Other sports don't make kids play like adults," says the USTA, why should tennis? Picture a little-leaguer in Fenway Park. Just doesn't happen. Why should it for the littlest in tennis?

Junior sized tennis equipment has been around for a while but the USTA and ITF are beginning to incorporate it into official tournaments. Going forward, 10 and under level 7 tournaments will be officially listed as playing on full (78'), 60' or 36' courts. Each size court will have a different ball; none will use the yellow ball adults play with.

If playing on a full 78' court kids in this age group will use special low-bounce (regular size) "green-dot" balls; On a 60' court they will use an "orange" ball; On a 36' court they will use a larger "red" felt ball. The court size used depends on the facility holding the tournament. Some clubs are building in the smaller courts, others will adjust with blended lines.

The new balls are designed to have a different bounce, each is slower and lower than the yellow ball adults and teens use, helping smaller players learn the techniques and movement at their speed.  "Instead of simply being a teaching methodology, as it has been, using age appropriate equipment and court size allows children under 10 to compete in an age appropriate setting just like any other sport," says Anne Davis, the USTA's National Manager of Recreational Coaches and Programs .

This official change indicates that junior equipment and low bounce balls are making a difference. Kids are finding success on court faster. Davis says that the USTA is starting to see kids who began tennis on shorter courts with low bounce balls moving up into the 12s with great success.  

But what if your kid doesn't play tournaments? Take a page and look for one of these programs at your local club or buy a right-sized racquet and balls and head down to your public park. That hit with your impatient-to-be-good 6 year old will be a whole lot more fun.

A few equipment suggestions for beginners:

Ages 4-6: Start with a 21 inch Wilson Venus and Serena 21" or Wilson Federer 21" junior racquet (both under $20 USD) with Penn Quick Start Tennis 36' Felt Balls, $4.95

Ages 7-8: Try a 23 inch racquet. HEAD makes the Radical Junior 23" Tennis Racquet ($20), same balls as above or below depending on ability and height. 

Ages 9-10: Start with a 25 inch racquet. Babolat makes the Pure Drive Junior 25"  ($70) and Head makes the Junior speed for under $20 if you want to keep costs down while you check to see if junior's interest kicks in. Penn Quick Start 60' balls, $4.95 are what you want for this age group.

Height can make a difference, so if you have a tall 8 year old you might want to bump them up a length and into the 60' balls. Don't worry about grip size. They are all the same at the starter levels.

If you want to have fun without leaving home this Junior Tennis net is fun especially with Foam Balls. Mom and Dad, you'll think it's a gas.

Find Junior tennis racquets at sports and tennis retailers worldwide and online at Tennis-Warehouse and others.

For the love of toes.

Most of you have probably seen the super-weird looking footwear with toes, not on me, never, but I have tried these toesocks in my tennis shoes.  Injinji sent me a pair from their Performance Series. They felt kinda odd but I gave them a couple of good clinic trys. 

The concept: Injinjis are designed to prevent blisters. The five-toe-sleeve design protects each toe (working well in the Vibram Five Fingers shoe), but also allows your feet to move the way nature intended. The close fitting, seamless socks eventually become a second skin and absorb the chaffing and moisture associated with physical activity. Wearers benefit from the dexterity and balance associated with each individual toe. They are great for those whose feet sweat a lot, pulling moisture away from the feet and between the toes.

Verdict: I can't say I'll be running out to buy a drawer full of these but certainly if you struggle with toe blisters or sweaty feet give them a shot. The company admits, they are hard to get used to but based on testimonials on their website, people love'em eventually and in their "normal" footwear. Find them in lightweight to midweight fabrication and micro no-show to crew style in a variety of colors. $12 a pair USD. at Injinji.

 

Cheap Tennis Fix under $20. ElastoCross by Babolat

No this is not a new product but it's first in a new series looking at cheap tennis fixes (under $20). Babolat's ElastoCross is a great fix for anyone who breaks strings a lot. Online a dispenser runs $5.99 and I know pros who say this stuff lives up to its advertised "50% more string durability" billing. That's good savings.

String protectors are an easy way to extend the life of your tennis strings. They reduce the friction that the rubbing of crosses and mains causes. Most people who use them swear by this particular brand because it's easy to use and works well.

According to Roman Prokes at RPNY in New York, the use of polyester strings has reduced the number of people using string protectors (Pete Sampras was a regular user) but, if you are a string breaker putting these on when your strings look a little worn can earn you extra games on a string job.

According to Prokes, ElastoCross will make a newly strung racquet feel tight. He suggests putting them on your racquet's sweetspot once your racquet has been used a while. If you play with natural gut you can preload with these for longevity.

$5.99 at Tennis Warehouse.

 

 

On Court Sun Protection Gets Technological.

Remembering to put sunscreen on before stepping outside is pretty easy, reapplying while on court is not. Kids especially, never ones to voluntarily slather it on, need help.

Sweating and toweling remove much of the sunscreen you initially put on. I've heard recommendations for reapplication every changeover for big drippers.

If you are one who needs to be reminded here are a couple of new options:

Coppertone's MyUV Alert  for iPhone (image above) can look up an area's UV index and provide customizable sunscreen application reminders based on what you are doing under the sun. You can't use this during a USTA match where phones are banned on court but this is great for practice days. You can also email Coppertone coupons from the app. Good savings on a summer necessity. Free from the App store.

 
Another option is the UVSunSense bracelet. The bracelet acts as a sun-sensitive gauge. Apply sunscreen to your body and to the wristband before playing outside. Watch as the band changes colors so you know exactly when you need to reapply and when you need to get out of the sun.

The wristband’s four color stages let you know when your sunscreen is wearing off. It starts off as orange when removed from the packaging and turns purple when exposed to the sun, indicating it has been activated. When it becomes dark brown it is time to immediately reapply sunscreen. If the band turns a salmon color, the user should get out of the sun completely (or cover up), having approached the recommended daily limit of UV radiation. 

The bands work well and the kids I tried them on, thought they were pretty cool. $5.99 per pack of 7 one-use bands. Once size fits all. Learn more and find a retailer at UVSunSense or buy on amazon .

Is Your Tennis Grip Bionic? It Could Be, Even if You Have Arthritis.

I've seen only a handful of players using gloves on court. Those who have converted are unable to play without them.

Curious I checked out a pair. I thought they might be a great option for someone who needed to keep their skin out of the sun or for someone with arthritis who had trouble gripping the racquet. A friend recently told me she had stopped playing for this reason.

Pictured left are a pair of Bionic gloves made especially for tennis. The padding in the palm, fills in the valleys of the hand and therefore evens out the contact surface between your hand and the racquet.  The result is a very secure grip.

If you have arthritis in your hand and your joints are usually swollen this method of padding along with the motion zones on the back of the hand helps to “pull away” the discomfort of the swollen joint allowing you more freedom of movement.  Bionic confirms that independent studies conducted by Georgia Tech University proved that people with arthritis that wore the gloves had better, pitch, grip and torque strength in their hands. 

A few other benefits: The glove allows you to grip the racquet lighter which avoids the problem of muscling the ball and makes for easier grip changes; No more calluses and blisters. You also won't need sweat absorbing overgrips any longer as the gloves contain little absorbing towels and wick moisture so no more slippage. Yes, they are machine washable.

As for sun protection, the gloves actually have an official  SPF 50 rating- which equates to 95% sun protection.

The pair the company sent me to try felt a little tight and restrictive. I think I may have selected the incorrect size. I personally don't have problems with sweaty hands, grip or arthritis (knock on wood) but think these might be something to look into if you do. Be sure to use the sizing chart on the website. Guessing is not a good idea I have learned. $29.95 per pair mens and womens. Youth sizes are less.

Find more info or buy at Bionic Gloves

Time to restring? Check it first with this .99 cent app from racquetTune.

If you are wondering if your tennis racquet needs to be restrung and you have an iPhone, here's a solution. raquetTune is a downloadable app that allows you to check racquet string tension any time, anywhere.

The app uses the sound of the racquet strings to analyze the frequency of the strings when hit with a pen or like object. The frequency is then converted to the tension of the stringbed. The accuracy is shown by an indicator light on the display and can be improved by repeating the "test" several times in a row.

Here's how to run a test: Set your app to register pounds or kilograms, click the racquet button to set your string's linear density (you can find some on the racquetTune website) or set your string type. Polyester, nylon, gut and kevlar are all options, and then set your gauge (string thickness). This part feels a little confusing as there are so many different strings and materials on the market. Again you can use the listing on their website for help. There is an option that enables you to input a hybrid combination.  You then set your racquet head size.

Hold the racquet face over your iPhone in a quiet setting and hit the strings a few times with a pen. The results register right away. You can compare the results to the recommended tension printed on the racquet or base it on your particular likes. Here's a video:

The app has gotten great reviews from stringers who are far more concerned about exact measurements than me. I thought it helpful as it indicated that a couple of racquets in this household's arsenal needed a restring despite the face that the strings looked fine.

For .99 cents my first thought is why not? It's just about the cost of one tennis ball but you do need to know detail on the string you have in your racquet to use this. Ask your stringer for the string package if you are not completley sure of what you are using. Unless you change strings, once you've input the data it's there till you change it again.

Learn more at racquetTune or download it from the AppStore.

Does Your Tennis Bag Stink? Here's How to Fight it.

If you or your court-mates cringe every time you open your tennis bag take note of these solutions that work hard to fight sport-stink:

Stuffitts shoe savers (left) are 100% cedar filled shoe stuffers that remove moisture and eliminate shoe odor, drying your sneakers 8 times faster than air drying alone (according to the company). Simply insert these faux little feet into your shoes after a workout and smell the difference next time you go to use them. $24.95 USD.  Use the sizing chart to get the right size. Find a retailer or buy at Stuffits or here on amazon

Try using a separate bag to hold sweaty clothes and shoes inside your racquet bag. A plastic grocery bag works just fine.  Do not simply stuff your wet gear in a compartment to deal with later. If it's in its own bag, even if you forget about it, rank odor will not permeate everything else you have packed.

If your bag just wants a little overall and ongoing freshening, toss in a Fresh Wave Pearl Pack. These 3" x 3" mesh packs contain what looks like crystal beads, little odor eliminators that don't use harsh chemicals or headache inducing scents to mask stink. Each lightly fragrant pine/clove/cedarwood pack "scrubs" the air in your bag for 30 days. A bag of 5 packs retails for $15.95. Find a retailer at Fresh-Wave or here on amazon

One more option, wear odor-fighting apparel. Everything helps in this category. I've reviewed a lot of it here and will  continue to make note of it as I see it.

Sock it to your Sweaty Blistered Feet. Win a Pair of drymax for Your Tennis Game.

If your feet get blisters easily, hurt, sweat or just plain ache while playing tennis, listen up. We're covering tennis socks this week:

Knowing that moisture is the athletic foot's biggest enemy, the folks at drymax have created a pretty amazing sock that removes sweat from the skin and keeps it away. Two layers of interwoven fibers are at work here. The skin side layer actually repels water; sweat is pulled away to the moisture attracting outer layer. The result? Dry feet, no friction, no blisters.  

Many wicking socks move moisture around until it evaporates, still leaving some wetness next to your skin. Drymax socks are designed to work with the new generation of breathable tennis shoes -- which is how moisture eventually escapes. They come in a wide variety of sizes (only white right now) with an instep hugging arch band and offer five densities of padding (not thicknesses) to reduce pressure in the heel forefoot and toe areas. No stink too thanks to an infused antimicrobial additive. They work well.

Bonus points -- these socks have codes on them (see the little red mark above at the toe?) so if you have multiple sizes in the house they are easy to match. LOVE that. Warning: Bleach and fabric softeners render much of all this good technology useless. At $9-15 USD per pair that's worth knowing.

LEAVE A COMMENT below this post to register to win a free pair of drymax socks. We're giving away 5 pairs. Names pulled by random draw. One entry per person. Contest closes May 28, 2010 5 pm EST. US only please. RT @Tennisidentity on twitter for an extra entry.

Find  a retailer at drymax or buy online at Tennis-Warehouse

Muscle love. Products that Give it.

Those hard working muscles occasionally need a little TLC. Here are a couple of products that give it:

Biofreeze recently released its ILEX (from the South American holly shrub) infused topical pain reliever in a great hands-free applicator which ensures exact application on sore spots without dealing with runny blobs. It's so easy you could rub it on during a changeover to dull problem aches and pains. $12.00 for a 3 oz tube on amazon. The product also comes in a standard squeeze tube and as a spray. It works really quickly. I've reached for my sample packs (freebies at a tournament) more than a few times for my problem back.

After a hard match, give your muscles and mind a rest in a steaming hot tub filled with Ole Henrikson's muscle comfort soak. A bath infused with this all natural home spa treatment soothes body aches and fatigue and gives your spirits a soothing boost; I am a big believer in aromatherapy and do like the heady scent this gives off. It is not floral so its good for both guys and gals. The mix contains eucalyptus, rosemary, algae extract, juniper berry. Manganese sulfate helps you get clean. $48 for 24 oz. Available at Sephora and OleHenriksen.

Bag check. Racquet Bag Must-Haves for the Serious Tennis Player.

What's in YOUR racquet bag? With no pro entourage to cover the details, the serious player needs a well-stocked tennis bag, ready to handle just about any situation that could arise at a match or tournament.

Mario Llano, director and owner of  Rhode Island Tennis Academy, suggests every tournament player use a 12 pack bag (like the bag pictured right) with three compartments, one for racquets and the other two for the essentials listed below. In a tournament setting, you might play two, sometimes three matches in one day. The list looks long but all too often the devil is in not having the details. Llano recommends:

• Between 2 and 5 ready-to-play racquets depending your level (intermediate USTA level, 2 racquets; pro player 4 or more)
• Extra Overgrips
• Tennis Sneakers
• Flip-Flops or comfortable shoes to wear between matches
• Running sneakers
• 2 extra t-shirts or tops
• 1 extra pair of shorts
• 2 extra pairs of good tennis socks (Thorlo, drymax, etc.) 
• Underwear (nothing better in a third set than to come out dry all over)
• Jump rope
• Sunglasses
• Hat/visor/head band/hair elastics and clips
• Snacks -- energy bars, banana etc.
• Water/sports drink/ sport drink packages (bring a cooler for this)
• Extra packages of string
• 3 good tennis balls
• String savers
• Vibration dampeners
• Towel
• Wrist bands
• Thera bands or Rip cords (exercise bands that help you warm up shoulders especially)
• First aid kit with: flexible fabric band-aids (they are really good with sweat or on humid days),tape, scissors, ace bandage, antibiotic cream, acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
• Ankle brace
• Nail clipper
• Chap stick.
• Sunscreen (lotion for before and stick so you can reapply during a match without getting your hands greasy)
• Score cards (in the juniors, some kids carry a set of score cards in case the court doesn't have them)
• Extra contact lenses (if you wear them), contact solution and wetting drops for contacts that dry out in heat
• Small pad of paper and pen in case you feel like writing something you don't want to forget about an opponent during the match
• Tissues

Make like a scout and be prepared.

Obiband Extends Your Tennis Wardrobe By Making Any Athletic Wear Tennis Wear.

Obiband is a tennis ball holder worn around a player’s hips allowing fast, easy, one-handed ball storage and retrieval.  You simply step into and pull the band's stretchy compression fabric over your pocketless athletic wear.

Obiband’s inventor, Kerry Rothschild, a tennis player, runner and yoga enthusiast, developed the versatile accessory that slips easily over multi-sport athletic separates. “When I wear an Obiband on the court, other players are immediately intrigued. Once they take a closer look and see how I use it during a match, they’re hooked.”

Keep an Obiband in your tennis bag for no-pocket day worries (I once played with a woman who stowed her extra ball in her bra) or for cooler temperature play where pants or leggings are often worn in lieu of a tennis skirt or shorts. My beloved Lululemon yoga pants can now be worn on court too!

Yes, the balls stay put. In match play a server can securely hold the two extra game balls (front or back) and run all over the court. Compression prevents the balls from jiggling, bouncing or falling out of the band. The fabric's moisture-wicking properties keep tennis balls sweat-free and dry. The band can hold up to 6 balls (good for training).

Obiband comes in black and white and retails for $25 USD. Multiple sizes are available to fit men and women. Find a retailer or buy online at Obiband.

Keep those pricey tennis duds smiling with WIN Green. Mother Earth too.

With all of the tennis gear running through wash after wash in this house I am thankful for WIN. Given the amount of money I spend on sports apparel it's nice to have things last more than one season and even through multiple kids. The problem is not so much getting things clean but getting them "unstinky" -- sports fabric is notorious for holding onto odor. A few manufacturers are currently combating this with antibacterial fabrics, but not all.

I reviewed the original formula last year but the company now offers WIN Green a new concoction that maintains the same level of efficacy as the original while being completely biodegradable, hypo-allergenic, dye and fragrance-free. I like all that. $6.99 for 21 oz that does 14 loads. My only gripe is that you can't find WIN in the grocery store AND that it comes in such a small bottle. I need one of those jugs with a spigot.

 You can order WIN Green online at Sweatlifter.com. Tennis-Warehouse sells the original formula.

Court of the Rising Sun. Play it Skin-Safe.

Tennis lovers, play it safe with new products designed for athletes looking to protect their skin from the sun.

Products reviewed include: Neutrogena Sport Face Sunblock Lotion, Mission Skincare Sunscreen and Facestick, Eco-lips Face-stick and  Bethesda Sunscreen Soap.

Check it out over at OntheBaseline.

Candy for your eyes, heaven for your feet. Enter to win a 5 pack of new Thorlos Experia.

Thorlos has recently introduced its new Experia multi-sport line, colorful and above all super comfortable. Tennis players if you've tried Thorlos in the past and found them to be too thick for your liking, try these.

Experia are anatomically engineered to fit like a glove, no bunching or bulk. The company has taken out all of the excess padding leaving it only where you need it to protect your heels and balls of your feet against impact and shearing. Loved them in my close fitting tennis shoes!

Check out all the great colors (white available in June). They're made of CoolMax to keep your sweat-prone dogs dry during play. $13.99 USD a pair.

Enter to win one of three sets of five pairs of Thorlos Experia, a $70 value, by entering a comment under this post. Deadline is Friday May 8, 9:00 pm EST. US and Canada deliveries only. The winners will be posted on Tennisidentity's Twitter feed.

Learn more or buy at Thorlo.

Keep Your Eye on the Ball and On Your Sight.

 

OnTheBaseline.com has just published my newest Tape Talk article on the importance of wearing sunglasses on court. Check it out by clicking here. Pictured here Samantha Stosur wears Oakley.

Personal Exercise Bands to Strengthen Your Tennis Game

Fitness is a big part of tennis and if your tennis facility doesn't offer weight training equipment this means another club membership or home equipment. Pricey. We've seen circuit pros (men and women) warming up with exercise bands prior to matches. They hook them over the net post or fence and warm up shoulders, arms and legs.

What we didn't realize was that you can get a great whole body workout with a complete set of these bands. Each color offers a different level of resistance. Requiring storage space about the size of a large tissue box, you can work out anywhere you have a little room to move. The brand we checked out, Ripcords, offers a DVD called Circuit 7 which outlines a 7 minute total body workout beginner to expert. We liked the easy to hold handles on each of the bands and the workout was great. Package prices range between $39.95 and $67.90 USD.  The six-pack is also available at Tennis-Warehouse.

New Women's Line from Oakley. Great Choice for On Court Sun Protection.

Samantha Stosur is one of the few pros who wears sun-glasses while playing. Why is that? Out on the recreational courts we see them all the time. Many might feel that sunglasses impede their vision in some way; give these a try.

Sam wears Oakley's "Enduring"  style, the company's new women's sport performance line (available in mid September). Oakley frames stay put and don't fog up. Enduring offers all-important transition lenses with photo chromic technology that darken and lighten automatically when light changes, like when the sun slips behind a cloud and then shoots back out 5 minutes later. Enduring also comes with or without an iridium coating (which helps to reduce glare and tune contrast, ideal for extremely bright, sunny conditions). 100% UV protection. The frame pictured here is lipstick red (they look a bit orange in the pic). Prices range between MSRP $225 USD without the iridium lenses and $245 with it. Go to Oakley to learn more. Here are more  specifics on the Enduring.

Every Player's Bag Needs a Towel. Make it Special.

Rid your bag of the rag you've been using and get yourself one of these beauties -- same ones as the pros are using on court right now. As towels go, these are nice. 100% cotton, sized 35 1/2" x 24 1/2," a decent size for toweling off between points.

The women's version is pictured on the left and the men's right, but hey it doesn't really matter which one you choose. They retail for $38 USD and are available online at the US Open Shop and at the Open.

Video Your Strokes for an Eye Opening Look at Your Game

Wonder what you look like when you serve? It's eye opening to see yourself in action. At the Bollettieri tennis academy everyone gets a video analysis of their strokes. Do it yourself by asking a friend to film you serving and hitting. No major equipment needed. You will be able to see your strengths and weaknesses and can then visualize needed adjustments.

Olympus makes a variety of great cameras (they are sponsoring the US Open in a big way). Look for a camera that has the video option so you can easily download the footage to your PC. The super slim FE-340 pictured here in five colors is compact and easy to carry in your racquet bag. The FE-340 has a MSRP of $179.99 USD. Their newest  SP-570 Ultra Zoom Digital Compact Camera is another great option, a lot more technical for those who desire more versatility and control over their images, MSRP $499.99. Shop or learn more at Olympus.

Sigg Leads the Way in Holding Hydration On Court

Leave it to the Europeans to have the answer to the recycling and BPA worries associated with plastic or polycarbonate water bottles. Made of aluminum that is resistant to fruit acids and isotonic energy drinks, Sigg bottles are washable, refillable and recyclable (although they last a darn long time). Another benefit, they are taste-neutral so they don't lend your refreshment that plastic taste that real cheap bottles do.

There are cleaning tablets and a bottle brush available from Sigg but we found a baby bottle brush and a little liquid detergent worked just fine. The mouth is narrow so easy to drink from, but a bit challenging to get powdered drink mixes into without a funnel. We like the variety of colors and sizes and love not worrying about plastic. Check out Sigg's site for a list of retailers. US customers there is a link just for you. These run around $27 USD for the larger size.

Athletic Ionic Gear from TRION:Z

We've heard and read a lot about using magnets to increase energy and reduce joint pain. There are many styles out there, some of them disguised as beads and other jewelry, but in a nutshell, the team wears them because we think magnets work.

The problem for many of the guys was that they didn't/wouldn't wear jewelry, especially on court. We found these from TRION:Z which come in a myriad of colors and a few different styles. If you look closely you'll see a number of players wearing them. We've seen them on Andy Roddick, Ashley Harkleroad and many golfers. They are soft and pliable. Easy to slip on or in the case of the necklace, click on. They are made with "stayers" a unique textile with minus-ion producing minerals woven into the fabric. Trion:Z also uses axially magnetized magnets in a patented Alternating North-South Polarity Orientation to maximize the magnetic flow. There is background on the therapeutic use of magnets on the  TRION:Z site as well as a health warning to pregnant, pacemaker wearers and other health compromised individuals. Please ask your doctor if you are concerned. The necklace above runs $29.95 USD. The bracelets, $19.95. The broadband, a wider model, not pictured, $24.95. Tennis-Warehouse has them in stock as well. Give them a try. We thought they were great.

On Court Sunscreen Tips.

Sunblock is an essential in every player's racquet bag. Amy Trytek, Tennis Coach at Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida recommends putting your choice of sunscreen on prior to coming out to play, and covering everywhere skin is exposed, except the forehead.  She suggests then wearing a hat or visor to cover the unprotected territory. This simple but very smart trick will insure that block will not drip into and burn your eyes no matter how much you sweat.

Even with a high SPF it's a good idea to reapply if you are out for a long period of time. Sweating and toweling off will remove most of what your good intentions laid earlier. Here at Tennisidentity we've tried quite a few brands. Neutrogena's New Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock (SPF 70 and 85, $9.99 3 oz.) doesn't leave your hands slippery and feels very lightweight, not like a mask. The formula contains micronized silica powder which absorbs excess oils that can make you feel and look greasy. Neutrogena also offers a great spray formulation in Neutrogena's Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock (SPF 30, 45 and 70, $10.49 5 oz.). The spray is refreshing on a hot day and works well for getting at hard to reach but easy to burn spots like your upper back and shoulders. It's actually a pleasure to apply.

SPF level is a matter of preference, but everything we read says protect yourself from the sun, so with the higher SPF's we feel better. Neutrogena products are non-comedogenic, waterproof and sweat proof (be safe and reapply anyway) and available at most food and drug merchandisers.

A Technical Tennis Sock That Makes a Difference

We didn't know that socks really mattered until we started trying specialty styles. We will not be going back for another low priced six-pack at T.J. Maxx. With the kind of comfort and snug fit offered by companies like Eurosock, you will forget your feet, even in a super long match. Pictured here are two of four styles, the Slam Cool for men (also in white) and Court Cool for women (also sold with accents of blue or pink) Both have a suggested retail price of $9.00 a pair. The padding system is set in just the right places to provide protection against hard stops and starts, and "expansion joints" in the seams make the socks stretch and move without any bulk or wrinkling. This means no blisters. Eurosocks are a bit thinner than other technically savvy styles we've tried so if you wear a very snug sneaker, these might work well for you. The moisture management provided by the Coolmax content lives up to its billing. Find retailers and learn more at www.eurosock.com. You can also find some of the styles at www.tenniswarehouse.com.

Train Like the Pros with this Tennis Ball Caddy

When you want to drill specific shots or practice that serve over and over again, what's more aggravating than having just a few balls?

Bring along a bagful (150 should do it) with a collapsible ball caddy that holds balls at waist level. This lightweight travel cart opens and folds super quick (seconds) and doesn't take up tons of room in your car like many other ball carriers.

The Gamma Ballhopper EZ Travel cart 150 retails for  $119.95 USD. That's just a few dollars more than one, one-hour private in some parts of the country. Go to www.atssports.com to learn more or to buy. You can get the matching ball bag for $23.95. Happy drilling to you.

Unique towel offers cooling relief in the heat

This court side towel, the Sammy Cool 'n Dry, lives up to its name. If you live in the south you will want one year-round. When you are hot, it cools; when you are wet, it dries. The sponge-like hydrophilic, micro porous construction holds water and keeps that water cold, allowing you to cool yourself down between games and dry yourself off between points. Equally important the towel does not drip water all over the court, or down your back. Our entire team brought these towels to regionals and they were an enormous help in the killer heat. The Cool 'n Dry is washable and comes in a container you can fill with ice water prior to play. We kept ours in a mini cooler with our drinks. Available in blue, yellow and green, the large size is 33 1/4" x 13" and costs $14.95 U.S.D. To purchase or learn more about the Cool 'n Dry technology go to www.super-cool-products.com.

Get the stink out of those sweaty tennis clothes

Tennis apparel makers have done a great job developing workout wear that effectively manages moisture and body heat. You may have noticed however, that these same fabrics tend to hang onto odors, rendering even the finest athletic clothing unpleasant smelling even after washing.

WIN High performance sport detergent's super oxygenated cleaning technology specifically targets workout odors and stains, eliminating embedded sweat molecules and smells that can overwhelm athletic fabric over time. It really works. We tossed in a load of mens' tennis shirts we thought were at the end of their road and they came back nicely refreshed. WIN retails for $6.99 U.S.D. for 21 oz., is biodegradable based on OECD standards, and is available at Dick's Sporting Goods, specialty stores in the US and at www.WINdetergent.com.

The U.S. Olympic team has adopted the brand as their detergent of choice, a good vote of confidence for sure.

A security blanket (ok, vise) for that weak ankle

This is one of the best ankle supports we've found. Wear one and you will feel solid no matter how tough your gets get. Andy Roddick wears one on each ankle. Take a close look at the Roddick image in this site's February 28 post and you will see them. If you are injured in any way, use the ASO Ankle Stabilizing Orthosis in line with your doctor's orders. If you are simply concerned because your ankle is weak and turns easily, strap one on to feel more secure.

ASOs take a little time to put on with all the lacing and wrapping of straps but the peace of mind is so worth it!  Ladies, you'll need to wear this with a taller sock. The manufacturer's website tells you how to measure for your size to insure the best fit. Visit www.medspec.com for more information or to purchase.  All sizes are $39.95 U.S.D. and they come in black and white.

Treat nagging tennis injuries with an icy hug

Elbow, wrist and knee injuries are common in tennis. Treat or keep them at bay with these new flexible heat or ice sleeves that roll right on and completely cover the injured area. No more moving the pack around to get every spot. The 360-degree coverage allows the entire circumference of the injured area to be treated at one time. How nice is that?

Use these reusable sleeves (microwave for heat, freeze for cold) according to your doctor's recommendations. You will love how easy they are to use and will find yourself actually following your prescribed icing regime. Each therapy sleeve comes with a fabric insulating layer to put on first to protect your skin from extreme temperatures from the pack.

Torex Hot/Cold Therapy Sleeves are available in five sizes for different limb circumferences. Measure with an inch to spare for the area you are looking to treat. They have sleeves for the finger, wrist, elbow, knee and thigh and range from $12.95 USD to $24.95. Order at www.torexhealth.com.