The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Tennis

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.

For 45 Years, Club Fit Keeps Up With The Times

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On a recent weekday afternoon, lime and cantaloupe infused waters awaited members at the entrance of Club Fit in Briarcliff, and the fruit’s colorful cheer was echoed by the motivational sayings lining the walls. “Do something your future self will thank you for,” urged one.

But while Club Fit Briarcliff certainly offers many opportunities for the individual, what sets it apart from many gyms and fitness facilities is a focus on serving the entire family. Now celebrating its 45th year, the club, and its sister location in Jefferson Valley, offers a family-friendly experience with a special focus on giving back to the community, while offering a wide range of standard and modern fitness offerings.

From areas for children that are divided by age to special times for basketball for ages 40 and up, Club Fit supplies things to do for all ages. And with a focus on offering fun, age-appropriate childcare, parents can take advantage of all the club has to offer.

“One thing we’ve really expanded in the last 15 years is our childcare,” Ellen Koelsch, an owner of the club with her brother, Bill Beck, said recently. “We have enough space to dedicate to kids under five and kids five to 12. As a working mom myself, I know you can’t just leave the 6-year-old home alone.” The space for older kids has a small basketball court, air hockey, plus video games, with a catch–they’re played standing. “They’re getting used to a fitness environment early,” Koelsch said.

Childcare manager and party coordinator Melissa Lawrence, a longtime Club Fit employee, agreed. “I’ve been here 22 years and it’s great to see these kids grow up and see them return as adults–it’s pretty cool.”

After school, some kids come to Club Fit by bus. They can unwind, then take a swim or tennis lesson and “you can get out of work, do 20 minutes of cardio and grab your kid,” Koelsch said.

At Club Fit, the fitness center is flooded with natural light; and off to the side is something a little unusual–a space reserved for women only.

The club also has nine tennis courts, physical therapy on-site, and a huge pool area with spaces for lap swimming, lessons, swim team practice and a large hot tub. Parents with little ones can utilize the zero-entry area. There’s a spin area with more than 60 seats and racquetball as well.

There are also many spaces for group exercise classes–and Club Fit keeps up with the trends, offering the types of classes often found in small boutique gyms. Currently, members can take CFX classes, which are “our version of a functional fitness class, using your own body weight,” Koelsch said. “We’re kind of blending going to a studio for small-group attention with a full-service experience with childcare. We know family is important and time is valuable, so we make that kind of class available to the community. Exercise is important–people know that, they know it has to be a part of their lives, but what’s hard is to keep it interesting.” Besides CFX, the club offers TRX classes as well as more standard classes such as Zumba, which tend to be larger. The goal is to offer smaller studio-like classes within the club. “So your ‘neighborhood’ can stay the same, but you’re always on the cutting edge of fitness,” Koelsch said.

Club representative Wendy Courtney is another of many long-term employees. “When I started with the club, Ellen was little,” Courtney said. “The club was born and raised for the community and that’s how we developed – everything here was born for this community.” The club is constantly sending surveys to members and uses the responses to direct growth and change and improvement, Courtney and Koelsch said.

“It’s great to hear the good news but we learn from the bad news. Our members are our eyes and our ears,” Courtney said. “Our membership knows we want to hear from them.”

Personal trainer Beth Kear said at Club Fit, “the owners are very involved and supportive of the staff. Anywhere you go, you’ll see it – everything, from the minute you walk in the door has that family feel–friendly, welcoming, non-intimidating. Member integration is a big priority.”

That’s why newcomers to the club are given not just a session with a trainer, but are walked through every aspect of using a club–from how to use a membership card to how to use the machines. “You should feel comfortable from when you walk in the door,” Koelsch said.

Because some people who need to start exercising are very unaccustomed to the health club environment, Club Fit has a special program called Help RX. It’s a short-term, discounted program with “a lot more hand-holding,” Koelsch said. That way, prospective members who have been told by their doctors that they need to start exercising can try the club out.

Club Fit also offers a senior discount and half off membership fees to active duty police, firefighters, EMTs and military. And if there are area power failures–well, Beck said, they’ll open their doors to those who need hot showers, as they have before.

“We’ve been in our community a very long time,” Koelsch said. “And we love giving back.”