Popeye the Sailor Man may have made a good tennis player, considering the size of those forearms. But with that corncob pipe – and whatever was in it – and that bad eye, he might have been overwhelmed by Bluto’s incessant and malicious volleys.

Ah, yes. Of course. Popeye’s famous stash of spinach would have sent ole blubbering Bluto scampering back to the Pro Shop after a few brutal sets. But the question for Popeye just might be: Is weight training good for tennis?

Rackets vary in weight. Heavy rackets can weigh more than 11 ounces, which is about the weight of a can of spinach. Medium rackets weigh between 9.8 and 10.9 ounces. Superlight rackets weigh 9 to 9.4 ounces.

Experts say heavier rackets give players more power and sometimes better control while lighter ones provide more torque. While that overview may make racket shopping for spinach-infused Popeye-type players simple, it may not  be suitable as a general rule.

Little conclusive research is available to guide players in choosing the best racket weight for improving on-court performance, according to The Tennis Media Company, which produces Tennis Magazine and Tennis Tuesday.

Choosing the best racket comes down to handling and personal “feel.” The best way to determine the right racket weight is to consult with a tennis coach and playing partner, professional players recommend.

Here at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, we offer the finest facilities for tennis aficionados interested in finding the best racket for their best game:

• 6 Har-Tru Hydro-Grid® Courts, all lit for night play.
• Private tennis lessons with our tennis professionals.
• Youth tennis programs.
• Champion tennis leagues.
• Tennis Pro Shop offering the latest in tennis fashion and equipment.
• Custom racket stringing.

The reason tennis coaches or playing partners are sometimes better equipped to gauge your best racket weight is because they’re on the receiving end of your volleys. Their perspective on the force and accuracy of your shots will help you determine the best choice of rackets.

Players should consider several factors when experimenting with rackets: Does it feel cumbersome when serving? Are overhead shots easy to manage? How about the difficult shots? The rule: Go heavy, but only if the weight is easily manageable.

The United States Tennis Association offers some easy, strength-training routines that will help build muscles to make racket handling easier and more nimble. Sports Fitness Advisor™ urges serious players who want to take their games to the next level to incorporate weight training into their routines.

Well-crafted and specific weight programs can improve your game in many ways:

• Improve speed and acceleration
• Improve muscle endurance
• Reduce injuries

Contact one of Golden Ocala’s tennis professionals today to get started on a game that would send even Popeye scurrying for more spinach. Keep up with all of the latest news from Golden Ocala by following us on Facebook and Twitter.