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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 21 – IN-STORE NOW!
The new Asics Gel-Kayano 21s have landed! We are so excited to have the all-new Kayano 21s in store.
These latest running shoes from Asics are built for serious runners with mild to moderate over-pronation. The new Asics Gel-Kayano 21s are lighter and more responsive, while maintaining their trademark comfort, support and gait efficiency.
The new Kayano 21 running shoes feature an upgraded Fluid Ride midsole, with 20% more bounce-back for superior cushioning. Protection has been enhanced through the combination of a more supportive Guidance Trusstic under the mid-foot, and a stronger Clutch Counter in the rearfoot.
Visit us in store (we have four stores in Melbourne) or check out the new Asics Gel-Kayano 21s on our website.
Asics Gel-Kayano 21 mens running shoe. Regular price $249, Smart Card member price $219
Asics Gel-Kayano 21 womens running shoe. Regular price $249, Smart Card member price $219
INTRODUCING OUR NEW LOGO
Sportsmart has a fresh new look! Check out our new logo.
What do you think?
NEW ASICS CRICKET FOOTWEAR
It’s time to start gearing up for cricket season!
Asics cricket footwear is always extremely popular, and the Asics new release cricket shoes – now in store and online – are no exception.
Developed with the latest footwear technologies, Asics offers cricket shoes that cater for bowling, batting and fielding, with a range that suits all ages and levels.
Batters should check out the new Asics Gel-Advance 5, an extremely lightweight cricket shoe primarily due to its dual density Solyte Polymer outsole (which also provides excellent support). The new Asics Gel-Strike Rate 3 is a track-inspired cricket shoe also ideal for batters.
A top cricket shoe for players who require extra comfort during long periods out in the field or at the crease is the Asics Gel-200 Not Out. Full grain leather across the toe provides extra protection and comfort in this lightweight shoe.
Those cricket devotees already familiar with the popular Asics Gel-452 N.O. must check out its re-release in the form of the Asics Gel-Gully 3.
Hard-wicket cricketers can’t go past the new release Asics Gel-Hardwicket 5 or Asics Gel-Peake 2 – both purpose-built for synthetic ground.
Asics also caters for junior cricketers with the Asics Gel-Hardwicket 5 GS and the Asics Gel-SRW GS, which are named after Shane Watson. These shoes have Gel cushioning and provide ideal grip on synthetic hard wicket pitches.
Sportsmart has a large range of cricket footwear from Asics as well as New Balance, Puma, Nike, Kookaburra and Diadora. View our range online here.
For more information about our range of cricket footwear and for advice on which is best for your needs, visit us in store at Moorabbin, Northcote, Casey or Kilsyth, or phone our online team on 03 9091 5024.
SERVING IN TENNIS
Mixing up your serves during a match can make the difference between you holding your serve and getting broken on your service game. There are many ways to serve mixing up pace with spins etc. Being able to keep your opponents guessing where and how you might serve next will keep them on their toes. We will take a look at a few serving options.
- Placement: Placement is important. With placement you can pull your opponent off the court with a wide serve. You can also hit the ball at their body. Placement of the serve also allows you to direct the serve to their weaker side and control more points. Moving your opponent out of position or into position will help you get the upper hand during the game.
- Spins: There are four different types of serves in terms of spins. The flat serve, slice serve, topspin serve and kick serve. If you use all 4 types of serves effectively during a match your opponent will have to adjust to hit each one.
- Speed: Speed is a tough one to think about because many people think that the faster you can hit a serve the better. Being able to hit a hard serve is an advantage but without placement it is not nearly as effective. When you mix up the speeds of your serves it makes it harder for your opponent to get a good read on the ball.
- Stance: You can adjust where you stand to hit your serve to keep your opponent guessing. This may cause your opponent to stand differently than usual to return the serve. If you stand way out wide to hit the serve you will be able to hit at a much greater angle and pull your opponent off the court. This however makes you vulnerable.
SPORTSMART SMART CARD PROGRAM – JOIN TODAY!
The Sportsmart Smart Card program offers you many benefits upon joining. As a member you gain access to exclusive offers such as special pricing on products across all categories to ensure that you save every time you shop at Sportsmart. Not only will you get special prices, you will also get invitations to special events and VIP nights.
If you sign up online you will receive a set of vouchers with your Smart Card based on the interests you selected during the sign up process to welcome you to the program.
By signing up to become a Sportsmart Smart Card member you are given your very own online profile, known as your Sports Snapshot. Through this you are able to select your sporting interests and preferences and then receive information based on what you’re interested in.
Smart Card members also receive email newsletters notifying them of any special member’s only discounts and information about upcoming sales before the general public.
It’s free to become a Smart Card member and you can sign up at any Sportsmart store or on the Smart Card website (smartcard.sportsmart.com.au).
PRODUCT REVIEW: YORK MONZA ELITE TREADMILL AT SPORTSMART
The York Monza Elite Treadmill is one of York’s finest treadmills. It features unique and exclusive technology and is packed full of features to keep you motivated. It is ideal for those with a big family or the serious runner. With its strong motor, large running deck and full featured console, this treadmill definitely earns its name.
With a 3.5 horse power motor, the York Monza Elite Treadmill has the ability to reach up to 22km per hour in speed. It also features a 3.3mm orthopaedic belt which is an important feature for those who require extra cushioning.
For those who require extra motivation, the York Monza Elite treadmill also has a USB port that allows you to watch videos or pictures on its full colour display. You also have the ability to plug in your iPod or iPhone and listen to. It even has 21 motivational programs of its own that you can select from and watch while running. If you have had a great session you have the ability to save your training results and upload them to your computer for future reference.
If you have difficulty balancing on the treadmill, the York Monza Elite has a built in camera that allows you to view your feet while you run so that you can stay on track. Another useful feature is the proximity sensor. The proximity sensor is also if you have pets or young children and will alert you if they get too close to the back of the treadmill.
The York Monza Elite treadmill is packed full of features that will keep you going during your workout and definitely differentiate it compared to other models currently available.
Sportsmart currently stocks the York Monza Elite treadmill, view this product on our website http://www.sportsmart.com.au/product.php?pid=13657&refid=132&refname=Treadmills&pg=2.
Or come in store to try it out for yourself.
YOUR TENNIS QUESTIONS ANSWERED
The winner of Sportsmart and Wilson’s tennis sponsorship program, Scott Lyons, provides regular blog articles on his favourite topic – tennis …
1) How tight should you hold your racquet?
There is a common misconception that the harder you hold your racquet, the more power you will receive. However, this is not true! When you are tensing your arm you reduce flexibility in it and your swing becomes rigid as a result. When swinging you want to swing through as fast as possible, but more importantly, you want to be accelerating through the ball. This means you must follow through over your shoulder. If you try holding your racquet really tight, you will notice your arm comes to a halt very shortly after striking the ball, meaning you are decelerating your swing as you hit the ball. Instead, hold your racquet relatively loose so that you allow yourself to accelerate through the ball and continue the swing over your shoulder.
On the other hand, make sure you are still holding your racquet tight enough so that the racquet doesn’t twist in your hand as you hit the ball. Hold it tight enough so that it will come loose if another person tugged at it two or three times. Another way to think about it is to consider that you are holding a bird with two hands- you don’t hold it so tight that you hurt the bird, but you hold it tight enough so it stays firmly in your hands.
2) How do you hit with topspin?
The key aspect to focus on when hitting topspin is to hit from low to high. But so how do you swing your racquet from low to high, without the ball sailing to the moon and back? When hitting the ball you do not hit the ball with an “open face” of the racquet, instead you alter your grip so that the racquet head is tilted forward (towards the ground). This allows you to “brush” over the ball, while still hitting up.
If you are still confused, imagine someone is holding up a rollerblade sideways with the wheels facing you. How would you swing the racquet so the wheels spin forwards? Of course if you hit with a horizontal swing you will not spin the wheels at all, and probably only hurt the other person! However, if you swing more vertically, and “brush” the wheels, you will make the wheels spin forwards (or top spin in tennis). Top spin is a hard thing to master and can take years of practice. But don’t be put off. Just start with slight adjustments of your grip and swinging motion, and work your way from there!
blog.sportsmart.com.au 