When your workday starts on a Monday morning with a one-hour session of Cardio Tennis lead by Adult Tennis Programs Director,
Ismael Rosales, you know it’s going to be a great day.
A group of members warmly welcomed me as I grabbed my racquet and jumped in line. Ismael tossed balls rapidly while we ran in configurations, jumped ladders, and weaved through cones.
Coach Ismael gave tips as we worked on the volley, backhand, and forehand. He was encouraging, positive, and fun. Afterwards, I asked some of the participants what they like about Cardio Tennis.
Juan Ramirez and Mauricio Ortiz take class so they have a good excuse to be late for work. All kidding aside, they work for a cardiology company and know the benefits of cardio workouts.
They also said that Ismael is a great instructor and class is a good way to be fit, meet people, relax, and manage stress.
I had a chance to sit down with Ismael and ask him a few questions too. Ismael is in charge of the Adult Programs at Midtown, including leagues, teams, cardio tennis, drills, round robins, and USTA Tournaments, including the recent Men’s National 35’s Tournament.
Ismael’s life is surrounded by tennis. His wife is a teaching pro and his two children play at least twice a week.
“People like tennis because it is fun, social, a great way to meet people and great for fitness,” says Ismael.
How long have you been involved in tennis?
Ismael: In 1987, I started teaching as the Director of National Tennis School in Caracas , Venezuela. I have coached tennis for 24 years.
What made you want to become a Tennis Pro/Coach?
Ismael: I love the game. I received an offer from the Venezuelan Tennis Federation to direct the school and national teams. And I liked the idea. That is how I started.
If you could give just one piece of advice to help someone hit the ball better, what would it be?
Ismael: Focus.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Ismael: The connection I can establish with new people and the opportunity to help them get better in the sport.
What’s a cost-effective way for members to improve their tennis game?
Ismael: Group lessons are economical (TNT and Tennis Schools for example) as well as practicing with the ball machine for repetition and practice, specifically if you struggle with keeping the ball in play.
What is your favorite tennis to play and why?
Ismael: I really enjoy doubles. I’m playing in a doubles Pro League at Midtown with more than 15 players, and I love it!
Thanks, Ismael!
Do you have a question for our Adult Tennis Programs Director? Let’s hear it!
Reflexology is the practice of applying pressure to the feet and hands utilizing specific thumb, finger and hand techniques. There is
no use of oil, cream or lotion and the treatment is based on a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands. The treatment creates a significant physical change in the body.
Archeological evidence has proven Reflexology to be over 5,000 years old. Reflexology treatment has one goal: “Homeostasis” and to de-stress the body and prevent disease. Mental stress causes physical stress and the body is not at ease.
A Reflexology session promises to be effective, impacting a variety of physiological and psychological concerns.
A Reflexology session can energize or relax you, reduce pain, and improve blood flow. By touching specific reflex points, the therapist is touching related reflexes in the entire body, such as internal organs and the skin. Reflexology is directly related to body systems that control our immune system. The system of reflex areas can be found in hand, feet, and ear charts.
Certified Massage Therapist Susanne Suffoletta has over 25 years of experience and is a specialist in Reflexology.
According to Susanne, the top three reasons you should experience Reflexology are:
1. Detoxify. Reflexology will help detoxify your body through lymphatic drainage and balance.
2. Healing Sleep. Your body needs 8-10 hours of sleep to receive 2 hours of healing. However, 1 hour of Reflexology is equal to 2 days of healing sleep.
3. Stress Relief. Reflexology will help you achieve a deeper sleep, mental clarity, increased creativity and “profound relaxation.”
Susanne recommends scheduling Reflexology appointments after your workouts or on your off days. Everyone is a good candidate for a session, including babies. Susanne currently schedules treatments at the Midtown Spa Wednesday thru Sunday. Treatments range from $45/half hour to $85/one hour.
Have you experienced Reflexology? What did you think?
Midtown is known for hiring the best of the best in the fitness industry, including experienced, nationally certified personal trainers.
Members trust our trainers to rebuild, recondition, and re-train their bodies.
Pediatric Pulmonary Physician, Samuel Vazquez, knows the importance of a strong body system. He works six full days per week (not including on-call time), eats healthfully, and enjoys playing tennis. Samuel has been a Midtown member since 2001, and recently began training with ACE & NASM-certified trainer for more than 15 years, Sandor Morris.
Born in Jamaica, Sandor is a former track star and Sprinter who still plays volleyball, soccer and basketball on a regular basis. He is has two daughters and is a favorite among high-performance athletes because of his fun, energetic, and motivating training approach. When Samuel hired Sandor, he simply wanted a couple of sessions to improve his endurance during his tennis game. He specifically requested Sandor because he had witnessed Sandor working his clients hard and after speaking with him said, “Sandor knows his stuff.”
Samuel has now been training for five months and has benefitted from personal training much more than he ever expected. Samuel gets one day off per week and chooses to spend it training with Sandor.
Ever wonder what goes on when one of our trainers works with a client?
Read on.
Sandor : Samuel first came to me to improve his endurance when playing tennis. As I observed him, I realized he could barely bend his knees. He was also extremely tight in his shoulders, across the chest, and into his arms from years of strictly weight training. I needed to recondition his muscles and his mental approach to fitness. I decided to completely change up his routine. Improving his flexibility was just as critical as improving endurance to help him improve his tennis game.
Samuel: I work out with Sandor once a week and follow his routine on my own on another day each week. I play tennis at least twice a week. After one month, I noticed I could actually bend my knees again! I noticed I was in a better mood and had more energy. I have now been training with Sandor for five months and continue to see the benefits.
Sandor: I see Samuel once a week, so we work his total body in a way that will train endurance, strength, stability, rotation and core all at the same time. My favorite piece of equipment to accomplish this type of workout is the Free Motion Dual Cable machine. Although I do not do his entire routine on this equipment, I certainly could.
A session for Samuel with a focus on endurance, flexibility , stability and core may include:
Plymoterics: Step-ups on a box with dumbbell shoulder press. This works endurance, shoulders, legs, and core.
Burpees: The burpee is a full-body exercise used in strength training and aerobic exercise. It is performed in five steps:
Free Motion Dual Cable
- Single leg dead lift
- 1 leg, 1 arm row
- Squat to wood chop
- Triceps extension to squat, shoulder press
- Lunge to bicep curl with knee up
- Cable rotations
Core Focus
- V-up with medicine ball
- Medicine ball rotations
- Explosive leg lifts
Stretching
- 15 minutes of assisted stretching
Interested in your own training session with Sandor? Please call the front desk at 954.384.2582. You won’t regret it!
