Times have changed. Years ago, a tennis club was a tennis club. Period. Today, many tennis clubs also house fitness centers, and in addition to the obvious aerobics classes, even offer classes on yoga, kick-boxing, spinning, and nutrition. Yes, the market is changing.
What's driving this changing market is the increasing public interest in health and fitness, and leading tennis clubs are keeping pace with these changes. Some of these clubs even offer monthly cholesterol and blood pressure screenings. In their pro shops, instead of just offering tennis elbow straps to solve problems, they are now selling products that can help prevent injuries in the first place.
Walking the aisles of this year's Super Show in Atlanta, several new products stood out as possibilities to add to your shop's regular inventory of tennis accessories. Try placing a few near your sales counter and you may find that they not only generate sales, but also help your customers to see you as part of the leading edge of the industry.
The Gripp, the original ball squeezer, is borderline addictive. Simple squeezing releases stress, while strengthening hand, wrist and forearm muscles. It has been around long enough to be called a high recognition product, and also comes with P.O.P. (point of purchase) displays. For wholesale pricing, call Iron Gloves, Inc., at 480-905-1109 or visit www.irongloves.com. Several optional products are available.
Dyna-Flex is more high-tech than the Gripp, as there is a slight learning curve to using this device. Although not as recognizable as The Gripp, the Dyna-Flex will also be familiar to many. Its powerful gyroscopic action strengthens wrist and forearm muscles as you toy with it, and it comes in attractive packaging. For wholesale pricing call 714-630-0909 or visit www.dynaflex.com.
Pre-Stroke Trainer took an idea from baseball and adapted it for tennis. The weighted ball attaches easily to the string bed, allowing players to warm up and strengthen arm, shoulder, and core body muscles. For wholesale pricing, call Pre-Stroke Trainer at 561-563-2200.
The Stick is distributed by RPI of Atlanta, and you have probably seen this product at one of the dozens of tennis trade shows held throughout the U.S. each year. In a short time, it has become well liked and frequently used by many players on the professional tour, and can probably help your recreational players as well. The Stick, TriggerWheel.and FootWheel are designed for self-massage, and can effectively warm up muscles before workouts, as well as help to dissipate lactic acid build-up in muscles afterwards. Call RPI of Atlanta at 888-882-0750 for wholesale pricing information.
The Arme by Crown Fitness is the final product of this series. You may have seen a similar device used for years - a broomstick with a rope and a weight attached to the end. But that's where the similarities end. The Arme is a versatile and very slick device that is easy to use with adjustable weights. It is ideal for exercising to prevent or rehab from tennis elbow. Call 602-254-5115 for wholesale pricing information.