August 2011 -- How often have you heard a teaching pro say (or you may have said yourself), "I already tried Cardio Tennis and it didn't go at my club"?
Well, things have changed in the world of Cardio Tennis.
The product has improved
Cardio Tennis in 2011 is not the same product that was launched in 2005; it has evolved and been refined. It is more streamlined, defined, scientific and easier to use.
There are six distinct components that distinguish the product. The education has improved and we have advanced with heart rate monitor training and how to incorporate this training tool into your program.
You have improvedYou are older, wiser and more educated; your experience as a professional and your professional approach has matured. I bet you have better ideas on how to reach your membership through all the social media options available today. Your understanding of your membership's needs and wants has given you new credibility, and you have better ideas on promotion of programs.
There are different variations on Cardio Tennis
- Cardio Tennis for Kids
- Seniors (Cardio Tennis for Seasoned Warriors)
- Advanced players
- Starters
- Men-only classes
- Family
- Cardio Tennis with pedometers
- Cardio Tennis: Get fit
Cardio Tennis is a recognized brand
As of January 2011, Anna Kournikova is the new Cardio Tennis spokesperson and the country has seen Anna leading Cardio Tennis on NBC's the "Biggest Loser." Cardio Tennis is featured on the Tennis Channel's "One Minute Clinics" and in media across the country. There is also a monthly Cardio Tennis radio show.
www.blogtalkradio.com/haattennis
Your members may be more excited about getting on board with Cardio Tennis after all the promotions of the product in the media over the past few years. Today, there are 1.5 million Cardio Tennis participants in the United States and it is recognized as the third way to play tennis (singles, doubles and cardio).
Cardio Tennis is global
As I travel around the world to speak to tennis pros and tennis organizations, Michele Krause (the Cardio Tennis program manager) has often been there spreading the word before me. More coaches, industry organizations and tennis players around the world have greater awareness about Cardio Tennis. For example, in Australia the tennis federation is using Cardio Tennis as the driving force for tennis participation in that country.
Get off the couch - get on the court
With all the concern about obesity in America, more people are looking for a way to start exercising. What a fun way to start an exercise program - with music, on a tennis court, making new friends and dropping those extra pounds! Cardio Tennis is the great health message for our sport.
Ten ways you can relaunch Cardio Tennis to your members
- If you have not already done so, register your facility at www.growingtennis.com. This gives you a listing on www.cardiotennis.com so consumers will find you. Use the marketing tools you receive once you become an official site.
- Treat this as a long-term process, and continuously market and reinvent. You can't just throw it out there and see what happens. Failing to prepare is preparing for failure.
- Make sure you have multiple tennis staffers who can lead Cardio Tennis sessions. Do not rely on just one person, because when that person leaves, so does your program. Designate someone from this group as the Cardio Tennis director and give them ownership of the program. This will do wonders for the growth of your program.
- Get a member who is a marketing person to help you present your new Cardio Tennis program; market and educate for one to two months before you start sessions.
- Kick it off with a big consumer party!
- Spend a month offering free Cardio Tennis sessions for everyone.
- Offer Cardio Tennis to your league teams as part of their training regimen. All athletes need a technical/tactical session as well as a physical training session. Educate your league players that they can use the vehicle of Cardio Tennis to train for tennis as it is sport-specific and fun!
- Integrate a Cardio Tennis Kids program into your current 10 and Under Tennis programming.
- Offer special Cardio Tennis days, like Mother's Day, Father's Day, Halloween, back-to-school, Fourth of July, President's Day, Bring-a-Friend to Cardio Tennis Day, etc., to kick-start interest in your program.
- Invite a local celebrity to try Cardio Tennis at your facility. Use that person as a drawing card to get other members and their friends into your program.
The great inventor, Thomas Edison, said he failed to invent the light bulb on more than 1,500 occasions. Did he ever give up? No, he knew each time he was closer to getting it right. You may never have failed to start a Cardio Tennis program at your club 1,500 times, but don't give up after the first time. The next time may be the perfect time.
Three ways to get it right this time around
- Schedule private facility training (or attend a local workshop) for your staff pros so everyone is properly educated on how to deliver the program. For more information on how to schedule private facility training, email: info@cardiotennis.com. For the national workshop schedule, visit www.growingtennis.com and click on workshops. The biggest mistake made in Cardio Tennis is not having properly trained staff.
- Get in the program. Nothing is as motivating as actually participating in a Cardio Tennis class yourself. Feel the experience, check out your heart rate and have fun playing tennis while improving your health.
- Contact Michele Krause with the Cardio Tennis Program at michele@cardiotennis.com. Her job is to make sure you succeed. She can help you get started with the right information to give your new Cardio Tennis the "right stuff"!
