Tennis great Billie Jean King once said, “Tennis is a perfect combination of violent action taking place in an atmosphere of total tranquility.” Despite the game’s evolution, this quote from King is still valid. Tennis is an ever-changing contest with consistent principles. In recent years, the game of tennis has not only changed in terms of style of play, but the complete globalization of the sport. Increasingly, players are popping up from all around the world looking to prove they’re an elite player.
Student of the Game
Learning from the Best: One of the concepts that stuck out to me during the interview with Bruce was his time training under Harry Hopman. While not every young player can receive the guidance of an individual like Mr. Hopman, it is important to have a knowledgeable coach. Hopman would go on to coach many other tennis greats, including John McEnroe. Even the greatest players in the game are humble enough to employ former greats as their personal coaches, as evidenced by Novak Djokovic hiring Boris Becker.
Paying It Forward: Many of the attributes Bruce learned from Hopman have been passed on to Bruce’s students. As the Director of Tennis at Westward Look, Bruce is looking to make both young and older players aware of the trends in the game. Even though you can learn a lot about tennis from game-practice, being around other players and hearing tips from veterans can go a long way towards developing one’s game. Mr. Connors’ actions have effectively passed on the legacy of Harry Hopman.
Cardio Tennis
Another area that Bruce is extremely passionate about is cardio tennis. Described as “a high energy fitness activity that combines the best features of the sport of tennis with cardiovascular exercise, delivering the ultimate, full body, calorie burning aerobic workout,” cardio tennis is one of the focal points of Mr. Connors’ new position at Westward Look. The importance of endurance in tennis can’t be understated. If a player isn’t able to keep their energy up for an entire match, chances are they’ll start to struggle after the first set. The unique thing about cardio tennis is it can be utilized for anyone looking to improve their overall fitness and fine-tune the technical aspects of tennis.
I recently caught up with Bruce Connors to break down some of these trends.
Brandon Ogle: First off, would you mind telling us a little about your new position as Director of Tennis at Westward Look?
Bruce Connors: I am privileged to be working in such beautiful surroundings at Tucson’s first resort. My goal is to improve on programming and to promote all that Westward Look has to offer as a resort and members’ club.
BO: Could you briefly discuss the cardio tennis trend and the benefits it could provide to young tennis players? Who would you recommend to take on cardio tennis?
BC: Cardio tennis describes a type of clinic in which the participants achieve an aerobic workout as well as a focus on the fundamentals of tennis. Every instructor has his or her unique style and lesson plan; therefore, each class has its own distinctive feel. The key to a successful class is when the participants feel as though they have had a physical workout while they worked on the basics of their game. Cardio tennis is beneficial to all players – both young and old. It helps young players increase their endurance.
BO: Would you say cardio tennis should be used in addition to playing regular tennis or do you see cardio tennis becoming much more popular than playing standard singles/doubles matches for practice?
BC: Cardio tennis is to tennis as, for example, spinning is to cycling – it’s a workout as well as a way to improve one’s game. It does not replace match play. Competing in matches verses training in a clinic is very different. Simply put, a player tends to be more relaxed in a drill situation when the results are not as big of a factor.
BO: After watching some of the majors in recent years, do you notice any trends in styles of play that juniors should take note of?
BC: The physicality of the game has escalated along with the racquet and string technology, thus making tennis more powerful than ever. Perhaps the reintroduction of the serve and volley should be a trend to which juniors should take note.
BO: As of this current moment, American tennis is struggling on a national level, particularly on the men’s side. What do you think needs to be done to help even out this separation? Is it just a result of not enough Americans being interested in tennis in their youth or something else?
BC: Unfortunately American tennis has lost some ground as far as the world ranks are concerned. The European countries have invested a lot in their tennis development programming, geared toward aspiring young talent. On the other hand, American youth have so many other sports and recreation choices, not to mention non-athletic entertainment options, leading to a lack of drive for tennis in some circumstances.
BO: Since grass and clay courts aren’t as common in the United States, how would you recommend players prepare themselves for these surfaces in case they do get placed in a tournament on clay or grass?
BC: In order to prepare for softer playing surfaces when those surfaces are not readily available in practice situations, the shots that are utilized more effectively on those surfaces can be modified for the hard court. Putting spins on the ball, thereby mixing up play, would be an example of a technique that is useful on clay and grass, but that can also be incorporated into hard court play.
BO: What was your favorite surface to play on and why did it intrigue you?
BC: The answer to that question depends on the match and on the opponent. I enjoy clay surface due to the variety of shot-making options. Angles, drop shots, and lobs make use of more on the clay court. On the other hand, hard surfaces tend to be more linear, complimenting more aggressive serve and volley play.
BO: While other sports like basketball have programs such as AAU to showcase talents, what is there available for young tennis players to do the same and gain attention of college recruiters?
BC: The junior ranking system still gives college coaches a good amount of information on players and tournament results, giving insight to recognize rising talent.
BO: Having played collegiately at the University of Arizona in the 1980s, do you think the collegiate tennis world has changed much since then?
BC: I would say, as the game itself has evolved, inevitably so has collegiate tennis. A college match has always consisted of six singles and three doubles matches. In order to quicken play and make matches more spectator-friendly, the playing of let serves and the eight-game pro-set for doubles were introduced in the mid-90s.
BO: From watching younger players compete, I’ve noticed one thing they often have difficulty with is mastering the serve. Do you have a few pieces of advice to simplify the process of learning to serve?
BC: The serve hasn’t changed much in form. Keeping the motions smooth and tossing to the swing are key, as well as working on timing and racquet speed. The classic figure of eight motion will help any player understand fluidity of motion. A consistent toss is a must.
(For some additional information on learning how to serve, CoachTube offers some terrific courses for serving tips. One great resource is Serve in 30! by Lisa Dodson.)
BO: In today’s game, it seems like there is a dying breed of pure serve and volley players. Why do you think this trend has occurred; and, as an instructor, would you still encourage players to add this approach to their arsenal?
BC: Every player’s goal should be to have a well-rounded game. Serve and volley is one aspect of this; and, it can be very useful to change the pace in a match. One reason it may not be used as often now is there is so much power in the game that it is harder to approach the net.
BO: Have you ever dealt with an injury or seen a teammate rehab from a major injury? How would you describe the overall process and the struggle to get back on the court?
BC: I have been fortunate to not have had any serious injuries. Prevention of injury by proper strength training and stretching routines is beneficial. Knee problems are a common issue among club players. Rehabbing can take time and requires dedication, so primary prevention is paramount. Getting back on the court after an injury can be as much of a mental struggle as it is physical.
BO: Having trained with the great Harry Hopman as a junior, could you briefly discuss the importance that a quality coach brings to a player’s development? What would you say to parents who are looking for coaches available for their son or daughter?
BC: The method that Mr. Hopman utilized emphasized fitness over stroke production. What works for one player may not work for another player. I do remember one piece of advice he routinely gave in training drills. He would say, “If you can get to the ball that is out, you should be able to get to the one that is in.” We all have different personalities, so finding the right coach who knows how to motivate the inner drive of a player is the goal.
BO: As a player who has gone through the ranks of the tennis world, what would you say is the most difficult thing you’ve had to deal with as a tennis player?
BC: To be completely honest, the thought of not having reached my potential as a player due to circumstances in my life beyond my control at certain times still tortures me.
BO: Lastly, do you think we’re witnessing the greatest male (Roger Federer) and female (Serena Williams) players of all time?
BC: My opinion is that Roger Federer exemplifies the model to which a tennis player should strive – as a player and as a person. Serena Williams has developed such an outstanding persona both on and off the court. Surely they both merit a place in history as players at the top of their sport.
Thank you to Mr. Connors for participating in this interview and feel free to check out Westward Look for more information on the resort.
Workout Plans And Programs For Different Sports
Workouts need to be tailored to fit each sport differently because not all sports require the same muscle groups to be strengthened the same. Workouts should be divided into types depending on their tasks in that way workouts can properly focus on speed, technique, strength and endurance. I understand that professional and college sports teams have workout routines designed for their athletes, but I'm talking about the aspiring athlete. Where does he find a workout plan specific to the sport he is interested in. Where are baseball player workouts? Where are football player workouts? Where are hockey player workouts or basketball player workouts? Workouts for these and other different athletic sports are not general fitness or bodybuilding workouts. Although they may incorporate general and bodybuilding workouts. Workouts for these sports reflect the rigorous and physically demanding aspects of each specific sport.
A List Of Workout Routines For Popular Sports
Golfers Workouts- A good golfers workout program will help you to hit the ball harder and straighter! If you want to crush your drive straight down the fairway and have accurate stronger shots then you need a golf workout routine that is devoted half to improving flexibility and half to strength training. The best golf workouts will focus on developing the body's strength and stamina, golfing posture, the rotational flexibility, range of motion and ability to turn smoothly. Areas to focus on include the important forearm muscles, core strength /stability and flexibility exercises. The core exercises work the muscles of the abdominals, back and hips. So, if you are ready to increase your golf swing speed and distance then join a good golf workout program.
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Baseball Player Workouts- Your baseball specific workout routines will have you hitting harder, running faster and swinging quicker. Just having good baseball skills is no longer enough. Today's baseball players are getting bigger and stronger - and you need a solid strength and conditioning program just to keep up! If you want to compete at the next level, you need the total workout package: strength, power, speed, and coordination.
Basketball Players Workouts- You will need an overpowering combination of strength, agility, quickness, conditioning and power. Your workout routines need to get you jumping higher, cutting faster and overpowering your opponents. If you’re not at top condition, you will get out played by your opponent.
Golden Glove Boxing Workouts- If you want to join the ranks of the top-ranked boxers in the world, you are going to need a serious training program. Your workout routines need to build blinding speed, explosive punching power and endless endurance. You'll need a lethal combination of devastating hand speed, bone-crushing power, blinding foot speed and endless stamina. Hand speed, strength training, quickness and endurance workouts are what is needed.
100 Meters Sprinters Workouts- If you want to explode out of the blocks and blaze to the finish line than you will need to do 100 meter sprinters workouts! There’s a reason why the winner of the Olympic 100 Meter Dash is always called “The World’s Fastest Human” It’s a race of 100% pure speed. Just you, the starting blocks, and a finish line. And if you want to continue to improve your personal best, you need to do the right strength workouts. Just sprinting on the track is not enough. Elite college and Olympic-level sprinters have full time strength coaches creating strength workouts for them. Workouts to transform them into powerful explosive sprinters (and it’s NOT doing time-wasting exercises like bicep curls!)
Ice Hockey Player Workouts- Your workout routines should consist of off-ice strength and conditioning programs just for hockey players. That means a workout plan consisting of strength training, plyo-metrics plus speed and agility drills. As a result you will get benefits of lightning speed and bone crushing strength to name a few.
Soccer Players Workouts- Your workout routines need a combination of lightning quick agility, incredible leg strength, blinding speed, massive power and never ending endurance. Serious soccer players who want to take their game to the next level need to workout on strength training, plyo-metrics and lightning fast foot speed.
Tennis Players Workouts- Tennis is a game of strength, speed, agility and power. Your workout routines should produce a unique combination of super endurance, explosive serving power, crushing ground strokes, blinding quickness, and finesse. Serious tennis players who want to become champions should workout on their strength training along with quickness, power and agility workouts.
Lacrosse Workouts- Lacrosse workouts requires lacrosse-specific strength and conditioning programs. Do you love to play lacrosse? If you’re serious about your lax game and are ready to take it to the next level – you need to train like the pros. You need knock out power, jaw-dropping strength, jackrabbit speed and agility plus never ending endurance. To keep up with the competition you need a strength and conditioning program that delivers results. That means strength training, plyometrics, and speed/agility drills.
This is only a partial list of the different workout plans for athletes.
General Workout Routines Aren't Always Enough
Although I'm a young 49, I consider myself to be physically fit with part of my general workout routine consists of a great deal of walking. When I went bike riding with my grandson the other day it completely changed my mind of what my total fitness was. About ten minutes into our ride my leg muscles began to burn fiercely and it wasn't much longer until I had to stop and rest. Although part of my general workouts consisted of a lot of walking which worked some of my leg muscles, it didn't workout the muscle groups that were needed for bike riding. I guess Lance Armstrong's Tour De France record is safe for now. If I were an amateur cyclist interested in turning pro, where would I find a good cycling workout plan?
Every Athlete Should Have Tailored Workout Routines
No matter what physical shape you are in or what bodily conditions you are working with, your workout plan needs to have exercise routines tailored for you. Once you find an excellent workout plan for your sport that you feel you can trust, you then have to hope that the workout routines are good for all levels of fitness whether you are at a basic, intermediate or advanced level. What good is your workout plan if all it has are workout routines designed for advanced level athletes. It shouldn't matter if the only exercise you get is running to the fridge before the game starts, or if you've been training for years, you want a workout program for each level of fitness. Hopefully, the workout programs are designed for athletes by coaches that know about something about making high quality workouts for different levels of expertise. Lets face it, if you can't perform the workout routines then you aren't going to do them. The people who see the best results from their workouts are often the people who enjoy their workouts the most. Probably the best way to get results is by joining a workout website with a members' forum which provides a great area for social networking, where you can meet other athletes and sports trainers, exchange tips and find training buddies to workout with.
Be Wary The Workout Plan That Does Everything
Be extra wary of the workout plan that claims they will make all athletes better at every sport. It can't happen! As I've already shown you, every different sport requires strength, speed, agility and endurance from different muscle groups. Therefore, no single workout plan is going to allow you to excel at every sport. I have reviewed literally hundreds of websites in search of the best one to meet the criteria that I previously mentioned in this article. You know how many I found? "46" That's right! 46 fantastic workout programs for athletes. 46 superb websites that are all part of a network. A network of 46 workout sites created by the world's elite fitness experts, and it's growing weekly!
The Specialized Fitness Workout Plans Is Here!
Each site is devoted to a different sport or part of the body or piece of fitness equipment. That is "46 Workout Plans" with over "10,000 Workout Routines" designed by some of the worlds foremost experts in the field of fitness and personal training. Just pick the workout routine you want and it pops right up. You can either view it online or print it out in print ready format. All of the workout routines are broken down into weekly scheduled exercises which include how many sets of exercises for each workout and how much rest between exercises you should take. Plus, each workout routine shows you animated exercises making sure you are using the correct form. I can't stress it to you enough just how important it is for you to use the correct form while working out. For each workout routine you get a complete description of each exercise. Now for the best part. For just a small membership fee you not only become a member of the site you joined but, you become a member of each and every workout program in the network plus all the new workout programs that are added to the network in the future. Your membership includes free access to the exclusive members-only forums which are visited daily by the world's best fitness experts and coaches who are standing by ready to answer all your fitness and workout questions. Whether you have a specific training question for our experts, are looking for a workout partner, or just want to meet kindred spirits, I have no doubt that you will feel right at home. If you want more information on the network of specialized workout programs visit The Health Nut. There are even specialized workouts for pregnant women. As always, before you engage in any sport or workout routine you should check with your doctor to make sure it is safe for you.
Christianity, as it is known today, is often seen as the religion founded by Jesus Christ. After all, the term “Christian” refers to followers of Christ, and Jesus is worshipped as the Son of God in Christian doctrine. However, a closer examination of historical texts and theological development reveals a compelling case: the foundations of Christianity were more firmly laid by the Apostle Paul than by Jesus himself. While Jesus provided the spiritual and moral core, it was Paul who transformed a small Jewish sect into a global religion.
Jesus the Teacher vs. Paul the Architect
Jesus of Nazareth was a Jewish preacher who taught in Galilee and Judea around 30 CE. His message centered on the Kingdom of God, repentance, love, and ethical living. He preached primarily to Jewish audiences, framed his teachings in Jewish law and prophetic tradition, and gave little indication of starting a new religion separate from Judaism.
In contrast, Paul—formerly known as Saul of Tarsus—emerged as a pivotal figure in the mid-1st century. Although he never met Jesus during his lifetime, Paul claimed a visionary experience of the risen Christ, which he interpreted as a divine commission to preach to the Gentiles. Through his missionary work, theological writings, and organizational efforts, Paul shifted the trajectory of the Jesus movement from a Jewish reform movement into a distinct, universal faith.
Jesus Preached a Kingdom, Paul Preached Christ
One of the starkest differences between Jesus and Paul lies in their respective messages. Jesus spoke frequently of the Kingdom of God—a transformative, imminent reality that would overturn the social and spiritual order. His teachings, such as the Sermon on the Mount, focused on ethical conduct, mercy, humility, and faithfulness. He emphasized obedience to God, love for neighbor, and inner purity, in line with the prophetic Jewish tradition.
Paul, on the other hand, rarely talked about the Kingdom of God in the way Jesus did. Instead, Paul focused on the person of Jesus—specifically, Jesus as the crucified and resurrected Messiah, whose death atoned for humanity’s sins. Paul's gospel was centered on salvation through faith in Christ, not merely following moral teachings or awaiting a coming kingdom.
In Galatians 2:16, Paul writes: "a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ." This represents a theological shift from Jesus’ own message, which emphasized action, righteousness, and spiritual vigilance. For Paul, belief in Jesus’s death and resurrection was the new path to salvation.
The Birth of Christian Doctrine
The earliest written Christian documents we possess are not the Gospels, but Paul’s letters (epistles), dated between 48 and 64 CE. These letters lay the groundwork for Christian theology, dealing with topics such as sin, grace, justification, atonement, resurrection, the Holy Spirit, and the role of the Church.
Key Christian doctrines—like original sin, salvation by grace, and the mystical body of Christ—are Pauline innovations. Jesus never outlined a doctrine of atonement or original sin in the Gospels. It was Paul who interpreted Jesus’s death as a cosmic sacrifice, echoing Jewish temple rituals, but giving them universal significance.
Romans 5:12-19 is a prime example. Paul compares Jesus to Adam, suggesting that just as sin entered the world through one man, salvation comes through another. This concept—central to Western Christianity—was unknown in Jesus’s own preaching but became a cornerstone of Christian theology through Paul.
Jesus the Jew, Paul the Founder of Christianity
Jesus lived and died as a Jew. He observed Jewish law, worshipped in synagogues, and referred to the Hebrew Scriptures. He did not seek to abolish the Law, famously stating in Matthew 5:17, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
Paul, however, de-emphasized the Jewish law, particularly for Gentile converts. He argued that circumcision, dietary laws, and Sabbath observance were not necessary for salvation. This was radical and controversial, leading to fierce debates with other apostles, including Peter and James, the brother of Jesus.
In Galatians 5:6, Paul writes: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." This opened the door for non-Jews to join the movement without adopting Jewish customs—a critical turning point in the emergence of a new religion.
The Institutional Church: Paul's Legacy
The structure of the Church, the role of apostles and bishops, and the concept of a global Christian community are largely Pauline constructs. Jesus gathered disciples and spoke of them as “fishers of men,” but he did not establish a church in any formal sense. The word "church" (Greek: ekklesia) appears only a few times in the Gospels.
Paul, however, established Christian communities throughout the Roman Empire—in places like Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, and Thessalonica. He wrote to these communities, provided pastoral guidance, corrected theological errors, and urged unity under the banner of Christ. This network of churches was the embryonic form of the Christian Church, long before any council or pope emerged.
Paul also introduced the idea of the Church as the “Body of Christ”, a mystical union of all believers. This became a foundational metaphor for Christian identity and ecclesiology.
A New Religion Emerges
While Jesus may not have intended to start a new religion, Paul clearly understood that something new was happening. By welcoming Gentiles, redefining salvation, and promoting the risen Christ as divine Lord, Paul transcended the boundaries of Judaism.
Acts 11:26 tells us that it was in Antioch—one of Paul’s mission fields—that the followers of Jesus were first called “Christians.” This marks a transition: the movement was no longer simply a Jewish sect, but something distinct. Paul’s theology and missionary strategy played the central role in this transformation.
Conclusion: The Apostle Who Built the House
Jesus Christ remains the cornerstone of Christianity—the inspiration, the Savior, the moral exemplar. Without his life, teachings, and death, there would be no Christian movement at all.
But when we ask who built Christianity as an organized, theologically distinct religion, the answer is Paul. It was Paul who universalized the message, broke down ethnic and religious barriers, and developed the theological frameworks that defined Christian belief for centuries.
In the metaphor of a building: Jesus laid the cornerstone, but Paul constructed the house. Christianity as we know it—its doctrines, practices, and global identity—is more the product of Paul’s vision than Jesus’s original ministry.
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