Should You Take Tennis Lessons?
You’ve got all the best equipment. Your shoes are laced up perfectly tight. Your competitor’s swing has carried the ball across the net, and it’s your time to strike back.
As you bring your racket down, you realize no contact was made. You weren’t quick enough, and your opponent wins the final point to take the match. You meet mid-court to shake your friend’s hand, and she chuckles, jokingly suggesting you take up tennis lessons. You know it she was just teasing, but you wonder if maybe she’s right.
There are many reasons to take tennis lessons—but there are also a few reasons you may want to hold off on signing up.
The Pros of Tennis Lessons
If you want to improve your skill in any sport, taking lessons is a great place to start. Having one-on-one (or even group) tennis instruction will help you sharpen your knowledge of the game and give you many more opportunities to practice your swing. The next time you go to play a round of tennis with your friends, they’re guaranteed to be impressed by how much you have improved!
Taking lessons is also a wonderful way to spend time. When we retire, we often find ourselves looking for ways to meet new people and get out of the house. Learning something new or brushing up on an old hobby can productively fill your downtime.
Finally, increasing the time you spend playing tennis through lessons is a great way to get in some extra exercise. As we age, we need to be conscious of intentionally keeping our muscles and joints in use. Otherwise, we may end up needing assistance to do the things that we used to do easily, such as climbing the stairs. Finding joyful ways to move our bodies is the key to staying healthy.
The Cons of Tennis Lessons
While there’s nothing specifically bad about taking tennis lessons, there are a few factors to may consider before finding an instructor.
Cost
First, most tennis lessons cost money. Do you have the budget for it? If not, simply continue practicing on your own or with a friend. This will allow you to brush up on your skills without having to pay someone.
Time
Another piece of the puzzle is time. Do you have enough free time to dedicate to tennis lessons? While some of us desire to fill the hours with activities and fun, others just want to relax with a good book. Do you have other obligations that will keep you too busy? It’s essential to know yourself and your daily circumstances well enough to decide on the commitment to tennis lessons.
Skill
One last consideration is how competitive you are. Do you want to sharpen your tennis skills so you can play at a higher level? Or do you simply enjoy playing the game for fun? If you’re content with playing tennis casually, lessons might not be the route for you. If you crave the feeling of crushing your competition, consider signing up for tennis lessons.
At the end of the day, the decision of whether or not to take tennis lessons is entirely up to you. Weigh the pros and cons, and you’ll be able to decide which path is right for you. And remember to always have fun!