February 2012 -- Cardio Tennis has come a long way in just six short years. Thanks to the support of many, including the USPTA and its teaching professionals, more than 1.5 million people are now playing Cardio Tennis at 1,800 sites around the country. And Cardio Tennis, which is managed by the Tennis Industry Association, is now growing the game in 30 countries. Both domestically and internationally, the program has been spreading rapidly.
Delivery of the Cardio Tennis product has evolved considerably, too. And as we come up on the program's seventh birthday, we continue to raise the bar, improving the Cardio Tennis experience for tennis -teaching professionals, facilities and consumers.
In 2012, you'll see some exciting enhancements in the Cardio Tennis program and in the tools, resources and education available to providers - all with the hope that we can continue to spread the positive benefits that CT brings to consumers, while helping to boost your business and your bottom line.
The new CardioTennis.com
CardioTennis.com has been revamped and improved and is now the website portal for both consumers and providers. (The original provider site, partners.cardiotennis.com, is no longer accessible.) The new website is loaded with detailed information and offers enhanced functionality and technology features that are crucial components to growing Cardio Tennis.
For tennis consumers, the new Cardio-Tennis.com site makes it much easier to find CT providers, as well as learn more about the program. An updated "Frequently Asked Questions" covers highlights and details, and the library of videos allows consumers to see Cardio Tennis in action. The site explains the benefits of playing Cardio Tennis, shows how to properly train using a heart-rate monitor, offers success stories, and more.
Consumers can now search for - as well as sign up and pay for - a Cardio Tennis session online, right from the CT website, making their Cardio Tennis experience a seamless transition from learning about the program to hitting the courts.
For tennis providers, the website is the place to get started in Cardio Tennis and realize all the benefits it can bring to you and your facility. You'll be able to explore the CT curriculum and tools for providers, and you'll find out more about becoming a Cardio Tennis Authorized Provider (see below) and registering for Cardio Tennis Training. Providers log into their personal CT accounts right from the website, where they can easily manage everything that has to do with the program.
Cardio Tennis Authorized ProvidersCardio Tennis terminology also is changing. We're no longer promoting "official sites," but will now have "Cardio Tennis Authorized Providers," a newly developed platform for tennis- teaching professionals and facilities. If you have been an official site in the past, now you'll need to go through the simple online registration process at CardioTennis.com to become an Authorized Provider. Authorized Providers can be tennis-teaching professionals (providers who travel to multiple facilities to conduct Cardio Tennis classes) or facilities.
Authorized Providers have full access to all areas of CardioTennis.com, the use of the Cardio Tennis name and logo, a new marketing toolkit, and access to the "Authorized Provider Dashboard" on the website for more CT education and drills, as well as many other benefits, for a $100 annual fee.
Cardio Tennis Invitation SystemOne of the key benefits you receive as an Authorized Provider is access to the new technology tool, the Cardio Tennis Invitation System (CTIS). The CTIS has three primary features:
- It will help pros market and manage their Cardio Tennis sessions and fill their programs more easily, more regularly and to capacity.
- It will help players register and pay for your Cardio Tennis classes, freeing you from these administrative tasks.
- It will get players more engaged in their tennis community - and hitting the courts more frequently.
For providers, CTIS automates many administrative functions, allowing you to do more productive things, such as teaching tennis and running programs. The CTIS technology easily creates electronic invitations that can be sent to members, nonmembers, the public or any combination. You can also choose to collect payment online through the system.
With the invitation system, you set the size of the Cardio Tennis classes you want to run, and the system takes it from there, sending out invites, tracking registrations, sending out reminders to players, inviting different groups at different times based upon registration, etc. Think how many hours a week this can save you and your staff - no more phone calls, or keeping track of emails and responses. To find out who has signed up for your CT classes, you simply need to check online with your Authorized Provider Dashboard.
Tools and educationIt is our priority to ensure that coaches have the training and education to deliver a proper, safe and healthy Cardio Tennis class. Historically, we've provided advanced education in Cardio Tennis through workshops and the USPTA specialty course - we haven't "certified" Cardio Tennis instructors.
In 2012, tennis professionals who are current with their education (have completed a Cardio Tennis workshop or USPTA specialty course since 2009) will be designated a "licensed Cardio Tennis professional." This designation will be noted on their profile on CardioTennis.com so consumers know they are getting the true Cardio Tennis experience by a properly trained professional.
TRX Cardio Tennis
Another exciting addition to the 2012 Cardio Tennis lineup is the introduction of TRX Cardio Tennis. TRX is a suspension training system designed to facilitate an enormous range of body-weight training movements for the entire body, and it is the ultimate system for adding strength, muscle endurance, balance and flexibility. Cardio Tennis has always been about elevating the heart rate and training "in the zone," and TRX Cardio Tennis will provide the best ball-striking, calorie-burning workout you can find anywhere.
TRX Cardio Tennis classes can accommodate up to 16 players on one court. The TRX Cardio Tennis class is very structured, with precise lesson plans that combine Cardio Tennis activities and TRX exercises in a 90-minute class (a traditional Cardio Tennis class is 60 minutes). In TRX Cardio Tennis classes, all tennis and TRX exercises are defined; unlike original Cardio Tennis, there is no room for interpretation - the rotations are timed and are critical to the success of the class and to a healthy and safe result for participants.
To offer TRX Cardio Tennis, in addition to being an Authorized Provider and keeping current with Cardio Tennis education, you also must complete the TRX Cardio Tennis training course. Details are available at CardioTennis.com.
As many USPTA professionals have found out in the last six years, Cardio Tennis not only keeps your players and customers healthy, but it can also keep your business healthy. As an Authorized Provider, your listing on CardioTennis.com and access to CT drills as well as the Cardio Tennis Invitation System will all help to grow your business and increase your revenue.
With current education, you will be designated a licensed Cardio Tennis professional, which will add to your credibility in the eyes of the consumer. And with TRX Cardio Tennis you can take your programming to another level with a unique product that consumers want.
In 2012, make sure you take advantage of all that Cardio Tennis has to offer you, your customers and your business!
Michele Krause, a USPTA P-1 professional, is the Cardio Tennis Manager for the Tennis Industry Association. She oversees the Cardio Tennis program in the United Sates and internationally and is responsible for the day-to-day operations, including curriculum, event planning, training and marketing. She is responsible for the 40 members of the National Cardio Tennis Speakers Team and travels to many industry conventions, meetings and events to provide ongoing education on the Cardio Tennis program. On an international level, Krause works directly with tennis federations in various countries to deliver a business plan for the teaching professionals and consumers specific to their needs. She also trains coaches on how to deliver the product through national and international workshops. 
