Is Activewear the
New Denim?
TENNIS tip
the SPLIT STEP
The split step is a “must have” footwork tool for tennis. This step acts as a spring that can catapult you into action, leaving you ready to move in any direction the ball is traveling once your feet land back on the ground. You should perform this step every time your opponent hits the ball. For example, when your opponent serves, you should be doing the split step, vaulting an inch or two off the ground and landing on your toes with both feet. When you see professionals performing a split step, it looks like a hovering ready position— racket out front in both hands, knees bent, body angled slightly forward, eyes on the ball. Everything says “ready position” except that their feet are not on the ground. In the same way this footwork provides speed when you need it, it can also slow you down when you need to get to the net for a volley and are moving too fast. As you approach from the baseline, a few staggered splits on your way to the net will slow you enough that you won’t lose control of your movements or swings. The part that can be tricky is the timing. When should you launch up into the air? When should you be coming down to make contact again with the court? Ideally, you launch yourself off when your opponent starts making contact between racket and ball, and you land as you get a visual on the ball and see where it’s going. Try adding the split step into your game and you will see the improvement. Nick Heron Director of Tennis DC Ranch Village Tennis Center nheron@dmbclubs.com
Are workout clothes the future of day-to-day fashion? The trend is called “soft dressing.” It’s about more than clothes that transition from gym class to brunch. While part of this shift can be attributed to the proliferation of fitness as a priority in people’s lives, the huge gain in activewear popularity is driven by women who aren’t exercising at all—those commuting in comfort, running errands with efficiency, and working from home in secret spandex. Much like denim, activewear is increasingly being integrated into daily attire. It’s now become acceptable—even chic—to wear leggings to work under a dress, or out to dinner with a cardigan. From beach to street to some offices, the legging is part of the modern lifestyle. Ways to give your favorite comfy fitness clothes more mileage while looking fabulous: 1. F ocus on fit. Don’t sport gym clothes that are too small or too big. 2. H andle with care. Read the washing instructions on your workout gear. 3. C onsider the occasion. Activewear is totally acceptable style for checking things off your to-do list: grocery shopping, lunch with a girlfriend, and running errands. But don’t show up to your mother’s retirement party in gym clothes. 4. Accessorize. Large aviator-frame sunglasses are perfect for a city chic look, and can cover a flushed, un-made-up face after the gym. Both denim and activewear are the modern girl’s street wear. It’s what she’s wearing on the weekends. And she knows that being healthy is always going to be trendy. Stop by your Village Pro Shop & Boutique to see what’s trending in activewear.
Alcatraz Escape your limitations! Preparations are underway for the epic 9th annual Swim FAST (Foundation for Aquatic Safety and Training) Alcatraz/Golden Gate Bridge event. The 1.4-mile swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco will take place on April 26, 2015 and the 1.2-mile Golden Gate Bridge swim on April 27. Local training in Bartlett Lake is beginning now. Email Joe Zemaitis at jzemaitis@dmbclubs.com for more information.
fall 2014 bet terlife | 9
CHALLENGE THE COLD... CHALLENGE THE BAY... CHALLENGE YOURSELF!