The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Athletic training

Athletic Conditioning with Club Fit’s Mat Rios

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Calling all athletes! Summer may be here, but the 2022-2023 school year is just around the corner, so why stop your training now? Club Fit’s cutting-edge fitness training programs have expanded into the world of sports. Get conditioned for your travel team, junior varsity, varsity, or collegiate sport by training with our Athletic Conditioning Coach and Master Trainer Mat Rios. Don’t wait and possibly fall behind the pack; allow Club Fit tp  jump start your training and get you ready for your upcoming season today.

In addition to his CPR and First Aid Certifications, Mat is an NCSF Certified Master Trainer who has his B.S. in Exercise Science from Mercy College and Associates in Sports Medicine from WCC, where he was named student of the year in his program. Mat specializes in training athletes of various sports including soccer, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, football, volleyball, tennis, wrestling, hockey, and field hockey. Mat’s education and experience has allowed him to learn how to train and develop athletes of all ages where he continues to help his clients see progress in their sports and overall health.

Mat’s passion for working with kids and training athletes stems from working at a day camp, babysitting, and playing soccer since he was a young child, all the way to a collegiate level at WCC. Due to his extensive knowledge and dedication, he became the Personal Trainer for this Division 3 soccer team at the age of 20.

Mat’s training program will utilize many areas of the Club’s 100,000 square foot air-conditioned facility including but not limited to an indoor track, functional fitness turf, cardio and weight machines, TRX straps, and multiple studios.

Mat’s Philosophy of Fitness states “if you never failed, you never tried hard enough” so come test your limits with him at Club Fit. Athletic Conditioning with Mat is open to anyone ages 12 and up who are serious at improving their health and their athletic performance. Want your friends to join you? Small group training options are also available, and non-members are welcome.

For more information, contact Donna Berta at dberta@clubfit.com or 914-250-2769 and come stop by the Club for a free tour at 584 North State Road, Briarcliff Manor. Club Fit can’t wait to hear from you and help you improve your game!

 

 

Armonk Indoor Sports Center: A Great Place to Brush Up Your Tennis Skills & Other Athletic Pursuits

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On any given day, carloads, even busloads, of people, young and old, are arriving at Armonk Indoor Sports Center. Because at Armonk Indoor Sports Center, the sports season never ends. With two bubbles, Armonk Indoor Sports gives baseball, field hockey, football, lacrosse, and soccer players a year-round turf field to compete and hone their skills all under one roof.

“This is one of the most versatile facilities around,” notes Stuart Smith, the Director of Sports Programs at the Center. “We cater to everyone, from birthday parties for two and three-year-olds to activities for senior citizens. This is a great place to come in and get active, whether you’re playing on the turf or on the tennis courts.”

On the other side, in the second bubble, Armonk Indoor Sports Center’s premier tennis facility affords players their own space on which to perfect their game. Since the early 2000’s, Armonk Indoor Sports Center has been training tennis players and giving them a competitive edge. Offering everything from development programs for juniors and adults to competitive league play, Armonk Indoor Sports Center caters to every potential tennis player. Additionally, Armonk Indoor’s tennis boasts five of the most effective tennis pros around, including Kevin Anderson, who is ranked as the fifth best tennis player in the world.

Armonk Indoor Sports Center, along with its sister facility a few miles down the road, Armonk Tennis, offers players a total of eight indoor and 10 outdoor tennis courts at the two locations. Armonk Tennis, one of the oldest tennis facilities in Westchester County, employs five additional tennis pros.

These facilities are home to the Armonk International Tennis Academy, run by Kevin’s brother, Greg Anderson. Their program, the Armonk International Tennis Academy Pathway offers a Beginners course at Armonk Tennis. Players graduate to Armonk Indoor Sports Center’s more competitive program. “Throughout the program, we are not only teaching tennis, we are building athletes,” notes Facility Manager Lisa Marie Bastardi. “We take our youngest players and foster their athletic growth, giving them a home throughout their junior tennis career and often times preparing them to play in college.”

The adult program includes high intensity clinics, a variety of USTA teams, and ample court time for open play. “We encourage tennis to be a family sport, helping everyone to achieve their individual tennis goals,” says Bastardi.

Tennis Pro, Webster Munyenyembe, who has worked as a High Performance and Ten & Under Tennis Professional for the past four years, believes that Armonk Indoor and Armonk Tennis’s program is an ideal environment for tennis lovers to achieve their goals. He has several suggestions to players who want to brush up on their tennis skills.

1. Work on your backhand.

Backhand strokes can be key in competitive match situations. Whether you use a one-handed or two-handed backhand, technique is the secret to mastering the backhand. The most powerful backhand strokes are most effective when the player’s body does more of the work than the racket. There is almost no swinging in a powerful backhand, and to master this technique, improve accuracy, and generate topspin, players should do repetitive drills.

2. Work on your serve.

To practice serving, try playing an extended game in which one person serves for the entire game. The “server” only gets one serve or loses the point. This is a great way to build up serving stamina, and after playing a few games this way, serving will become second nature.

3. Work on your footwork and line drills.

The most effective way to improve your footwork is to jump rope. Jumping rope helps people to improve balance and build stamina. Munyenyembe believes that this activity is essential to improving concentration.

4. Work on volleys and doubles skills.

If you are interested in playing high school tennis, playing an effective doubles game is essential. Learning how to move efficiently and effectively on the court prepares players to be on the attack. Skilled doubles teams are in the right place at the right time and can readily intercept a shot to back up a partner. If players practice moving forwards, backwards, and side to side together on the court, they will be more in sync.

5. Join a group lesson.

Munyenyembe feels that this activity has multiple benefits for junior players. From building social skills to competing with peers, group lessons also give players a chance to observe others’ techniques.

Ultimately, enjoying the game is essential to a great tennis match. And Munyenyembe thinks Armonk Indoor and Armonk Tennis both “strive to maintain a fun atmosphere,” making these facilities ideal for a competitive yet fun experience.