Ping Pong Table Vs Dinner Table

Ping Pong Tables

Why do we need anything to fight our dinner table? If we do, what makes a ping pong table a worthy opponent? The answer is that for most Americans, especially children, our dinner table has grown to be a huge, hulking threat and a table tennis table represents one great solution. It's a bit of a David and Goliath story, but this David will need a lot of ping pong balls! Let's take a look at the monster in our midst first.

Our opponent is a fierce, ugly, habit forming, and now well-entrenched threat to our country, and it's hitting our kids even harder--obesity. According to Professor Barry Popkin at the University of North Carolina, Americans have increased their DAILY caloric intake from about 1,803 Kcal in 1978 to 2,374 Kcal in 2006. How did that happen?

Researchers conclude that portion size (especially "supersizing"), the number of daily meals, and type of snacks eaten are the biggest factors. Daily meals and snacks rose from 3.8 in 1977 to 4.8 in 2006 and went as high as 7 per day. Though portion size seems to have stabilized in the last few years, the total number of calories is still increasing. Where do the extra calories come from?

Expert advice has been to eat smaller, more frequent meals to boost metabolism and control hunger rather than 3 large meals a day. It appears that advice has been followed, but we flew off the tracks on the CHOICE of foods. When those smaller meals include high-calorie and salty options like "super sized" snacks, the benefits of smaller meals vanish, except around our middles of course!

One major villain in this dietary train wreck is soft drinks, including rehydration liquids, which account for over 220 excess daily calories over these years. At the same time, dry snack foods changed to higher amounts of fat and sugar with little fiber, vitamins, or minerals. Even shopping for healthy foods has become tougher.

Our food market space is now dominated by processed food, which hides threatening levels of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), an industry that now holds enormous political power. For more details, watch the YouTube video made by the University of California San Francisco called "Sugar: The Bitter Truth". Some physicians and food scientists make a strong argument that HFCS should be classified as a POISON. Yikes!

So, how can we manage our weight properly? Experts agree that over 90% of all diets fail to sustain long term weight loss. Those that ARE successful at keeping excess weight off have acquired a healthy lifestyle they actually enjoy. Moderating screen time, re-acquainting one's taste buds to the subtle flavors of fresh produce, whole grains, lean meat, and establishing a regular, amusing routine of exercise are all part of these long term success stories.

How much exercise is required for this new lifestyle? Not as much as you think. For example, statistics show that dog owners can add years to their lives. Though dog walking is mild exercise, its regularity and stress relieving components matter most to breaking "couch potatoship". Establishing a healthy lifestyle for children has become even more difficult lately.

Educators and experts agree that finding activities that most, if not all, children will embrace is a challenge. School sports have not been universally engaging to children. Plus, cutbacks in regular physical education time in schools have robbed our children of gazillions of calories burned. Even more important may be the loss of creating regular exercise habits. So, if children aren't exercising as much, what's taken its place?

Without regular exercise youth screen time has jumped enormously. How much? Eric Schlosser, noted health author, says screen time (television, web surfing, and video gaming) in youth ages 8-18 is about 1.5 hours on a computer, over an hour playing video games, 4.5 hours watching TV, and 7.5 hours on entertainment media...PER DAY! Now for the mighty ping pong ball!

Before the author was a sports medicine consultant, before he operated a tennis coaching business, before he was a tennis player, he was a ping pong player--one of the thousands of kids taking active shelter in the basement from Midwest snow playing table tennis. Before that, he was a target for the school bully. For that child, a little ping pong ball helped steer him away from a sedentary life style, and it was fun!

A ping pong table can beat a dinner table because the first time you pick up a paddle or table tennis racket, you can easily have fun and feel skilled without coaching. Against a friend or family member of similar ability, you can quickly rise to the self-appointed title of "Menace".

Compared to screen time, ping pong/table tennis might start as mild exercise, but it is enormously beneficial. Establishing fun exercise habits helps suppress appetite, relieve stress, and balance calorie intake. This can even be done alone as many table tennis tables have a playback mode, (remember Forrest Gump?), for a one player work out.

I believe no international sport is as convenient and easy to learn as table tennis. Since it's almost always played inside, it requires much less space and is much less expensive to learn and enjoy than other activities. Even better, every parent can "look like" a professional to a child and have a great time.

If you compare the potential for bonding experiences with a child to those provided by a screen, it's no contest. Doesn't matter what you call it...ping pong or table tennis--be a menace!

Jonathan Bailin, Ph.D. received his doctorate in Biomechanics/Exercise Physiology while coaching tennis at the University of Southern California. Currently, Dr. Bailin operates a tennis coaching business in Marina del Rey, California, publishes research, consults for corporations, and enjoys recreational table tennis locally.

When Dr. Bailin rediscovered his first childhood passion, ping pong, he published http://www.TableTennisMenace.com, but he wanted to use his expertise to better guide consumers to product.

Because the selection of sporting goods from a huge array of products can be such a daunting task, Jonathan decided to pre-select only the best and most popular ping pong tables, table tennis rackets, ping pong balls, blades, rubbers, table tennis machines, and accessories from the most respected suppliers. TableTennisMenace.com is also a site that gives expert advice to consumers on product combinations like an outdoor table tennis table and net, ping pong ball and iPong machine, or the best racket blade and rubber.

Because of the sport's universal appeal to all ages, modest requirements of space/money, and potential to fight inactivity, he truly feels that whether you call it "Ping Pong" or "Table Tennis", anyone can "Be a Menace" at TableTennisMenace.com.

Practice Ping Pong Robot Machines

Practice ping pong Robot

Practice ping pong robot machines are the up to speed 21st century computerized version of the old tilt up one side of your table tennis table method. Now there is nothing wrong with folding up one half of your ping pong table and practicing your ping pong prowess against the backboard that you have set up. Only problem with that is that it can be boring. The difference is that with a practice ping pong robot machine like the mid price range Newgy 2040 or the Newgy 2050 models is that you get a whole choice of options as to what kind of shots you will be hitting back and practicing against.

If you simply tilt up your table tennis table to one side and use it as a backboard, you cannot replicate the identical shot over and over. But with a practice P.P. robot machine, you can for instance practice the identical shot over and over again, a million times if you'd like until you have mastered returning that shot back exactly where you would like.

If you want a ball delivered to you on the right side or on the left side in order to practice a particular backhand or forehand shot, with a practice ping pong robot machine that is a simple thing to do. The practice ping pong robot machine also gives you the ability to deliver the ball where you want at the delivery speed that you would like over and over again nonstop until you wear yourself out because the practice table tennis robot machine is not going to get tired. Since it has a return recycling net, it certainly beats bending down every few minutes to pick up all of the ping pong balls off of the floor.

If you purchase one of the low end practice table tennis robot machines which I do not recommend, you will still have to bend down and chase table tennis balls all over your house because the lower end machines do not come with recycling net to catch and reload all of the balls that you hit and return to the robot.

The mid range practice table tennis robot machines also allow you to set it up to deliver the ball to you with options such as topspin lobs, backspin, aggressive side spin serves and more. There are many different drill modes that you can simply instruct the robot to do to keep you on your ping pong toes and to keep you happy for years to come.

If you have kids and you have an unused table tennis table sitting in your basement with little usage,this is the perfect solution for you. Table tennis was the 6th fastest growing sport in the USA in 2009. Kids at high schools and colleges around the country have taken up table tennis like crazy. I promise you that with one of these practice P.P. machines in your basement, your kids will be practicing and picking up the right techniques. Besides, it's a lot of fun and I know I'd rather have my kids playing in my basement than running around God only knows where in today's world. If they have any interest at all in table tennis, then a practice ping pong robot machine will do wonders for them and keep them and their friends in your home and out of trouble.

For more information on the practice ping pong robot machines and for links to the best prices on the net, go here to Practice Ping Pong Robot Machines Now.

Protect Your Ping Pong Table With a Table Tennis Cover

Table Tennis Cover

If you are a serious ping pong player then you would know how expensive a table tennis table is. If you own one then it's quite natural for you to protect it; especially if you have children around. Most ping pong table surfaces are made of wood. But you also get them in metal such as aluminum and some of them have laminated construction.

If you plan on keeping your ping pong table outdoors then it makes all the more sense to protect it. You need to protect it with a Table Tennis cover. You can get many different types of covers. You can choose from durable PVC material that is weather resistant. These are perfect for outdoor tennis tables. They also are U.V. stabilized which gives the table extra protection from the sun.

When you're buying a Table Tennis cover, make sure they fit well. It helps to have a snugly fitted cover as it gives little or no room for dust, dirt and other materials and even moisture to enter the table surface. These covers also help to give your Table Tennis table a longer life, free from all defects such as scratches that could ruin the feel of the game.

If you live in a high humidity area then it helps to buy a table tennis cover that is made of tough synthetic fiber. This will provide protection from dampness as well as dust and dirt. Most table tennis covers fit all makes of ping pong tables, but there might be some tables which need customized covers.

If you want your table to last long and protect it from damage then you need to get a very durable table tennis cover. A nylon cover will last for years and it also looks great if you have your table tennis table on display.

You can choose from many different colors and shades of table covers that will go along with your home decor or the feel of your recreation room. Also you have a wide variety of materials to choose from.

One more important factor to consider before buying ping pong table covers is of course the size of your table. Since table tennis tables come in various sizes, you need to buy a cover that fits your table well. An over-sized cover for a small ping pong table will be of no use as it will allow dust, dirt and other particles to enter the surface of the table.

Likewise a small cover for a large table would be a total mismatch and would do no good to protect the ping pong table. Another thing to consider when buying a ping pong cover is the quality; the higher the quality the better. A good quality cover will last long and protect your table and help prolong its life and look.

Kate Marsala writes articles about table tennis covers on the website Table Tennis Cover Central.

Table Tennis Conversion Top - A Smart Alternative to Ping Pong Tables

Table Tennis Top

If you already have snooker or billiards table then why would you want to invest in a ping pong table. It's not only an additional expenditure but will also take up a lot of space. If you live in a home which can only accommodate one recreational game table and you already have one, then it would be a waste of money and space to buy a ping pong table.

Instead you could buy a Table Tennis conversion top. This is a superb innovation from the manufacturers to help people save space as well as money. These conversion tops can fit easily on the surface of a billiard or snooker table which converts the playing surface into a ping pong table surface.

This is great for families who have limited space in the recreation room, backyard, basement or garage but want to have more than one sport to play with. Before buying a conversion top you must consider the size of your table. The height and the length play a major part while buying a table tennis conversion top.

Usually a snooker table is much bigger in size and length as compared to a Table Tennis top. So this could be a bit of a problem if you have a conversion top for ping pong placed on a snooker table. With a regular snooker table being 11 x 5 ft and 10 inches while a ping pong table is 9 x 5, you will find that there is an extra foot of snooker table protruding on both sides. This may cause you problems while playing short balls.

More over the recommended height of a snooker table is between 33 1/2 to 34 1/2 inches while that of a Table Tennis table is 30 inches. It's quite difficult to play on a much higher surface. So if you have a snooker table, it's much better to get a small sized, foldable ping pong table instead of a table tennis conversion top. Unless you don't mind playing ping pong with a bit of compromise.

But if you have a billiard table, it makes much more sense to buy a conversion table tennis top as billiard tables are much smaller in size and shorter in length, pretty much close to a table tennis table.

Once you have the conversion top on, you need to check the bounce of the ball. Check if the ball bounces to correct height of 23cm when dropped from 30cm height. This will give you an idea if the conversion top is a perfect match on your billiard table.

A table tennis conversion top is one of the most economical and sensible investment for any home recreation room to give loads of entertainment to you and your family.

Kate Marsala writes articles about table top tennis and table tennis conversion top on the website Table Tennis Conversion Top Central.

Table Tennis Secrets - The Forehand - Be a Ping Pong Hero

Ping Pong Secrets

In this article, you'll discover that developing a consistent forehand is one of the secrets to separating yourself from your opponent.

Although there are various methods in to hitting forehands, a common technique is to hold the racket with your palm behind the paddle and on the grip. Some players place their index finger behind the racket head for added stability and to assist in ping pong racket head speed when creating spin.

Although many ping pong players are tempted to hit big and go for winners, the best plan when developing your ping pong skills is to develop a game and strategy based on consistency. Like other racket sports, the best foundation is one based on control and consistency rather than a killer shot. Once you have established a strong ping pong foundation based on consistent and solid technique, you can then move on to developing a killer weapon. The most common ping pong weapon is the forehand.

The following are 3 keys to unleashing the full potential of a killer ping pong forehand:

1. It's all in the feet. Believe it or not, the first secret has nothing to do with your arm, upper body, or rackets holding technique. Good footwork is often overlooked and underestimated. Watch any good player, and you'll see active feet, short sidesteps for recovery after a wide shot so that you continually face your opponent, and a ready position which allows the player to wait on their toes which aids in quick reaction time.

2. Learn Spin. Without spin, it won't go in. Although this may not always hold true, you'll find that shots without spin have less control. It is to your advantage to learn how to hit topspin on your strokes. Hitting topspin on your shots allows you to go for your shots more. Why? When you hit with topspin, the ping pong ball dips towards the end of its flight decreasing long and wide shots. The result is more control. To hit a topspin shot, you'll need to hit the ball from low to high and brush up on the back side of the ball with your ping pong paddle. With practice, you'll soon see dramatic results from adding topspin to your shot.

3. Do Not Recover to the middle of the table. What strange advice you say! Most players have better forehands than backhands. Additionally, most players move better to their forehand side. What can we do with this information? How 'bout using it to our advantage. Instead of recovering to the middle of the ping pong table after hitting a forehand or backhand, try recovering slightly left of center table (lefties try recovering slightly right of center table). By recovering off center, you'll be protecting your backhand and you should see more balls come to your right side which is your stronger forehand shot.

With these great tips in mind and a determined spirit, you're sure to improve. Although these tips may not be for everyone, give them a try. You may find a secret to help you develop that killer table tennis forehand!

http://www.pingpongracket.org/ - Author Jason Bradstreet is the founder of Bradstreet Sports, Inc. a sports school for adults and children. For more information on selcting the rght ping pong table orother great ping pong related information, visit the site above. http://www.bradstreetsports.com/

The Basics of Playing Ping Pong

Basics Playing ping pong

Ping pong / table tennis is one of the most popular sports in the world. Two or four people can play the ping pong. Learning how to play ping pong is incredibly easy as it is a simple sport to pick up without lots of complicated rules. As straightforward as ping pong is, though, ping pong still offers plenty of opportunity to develop and master a variety of skills.

Before you learn how to play, you have to know the basics of the ping pong. The ping pong involves hitting a small, lightweight ball across a large table with a ping pong racket. Two (or four, in case of a doubles game) players are positioned across each other at opposite ends of the table. A small net divides the table into two halves.

Normally the players will toss a coin, and the winner will serve the first game. Each serve lasts for two consecutive points, after which the players switch serves.

To serve, the player stands at their end of the table, holding the ball in the palm of their hand. The ball is then thrown upwards and hit as it falls. On the service shot the ball must bounce once in the server's half of the table before bouncing on their opponent's side. If the ball hits the net and falls onto the opponent's side, the serve is taken again. If the ball hits the net and does not go over then the point goes to the player receiving serve.

Assuming a good serve, the player receiving then hits the ball back over the net with the intention of bouncing on the server's side. Play continues in this manner until the ball bounces twice on a side, a player misses the ball, a player hits their own side with the ball or racket, the ball does not land in the opponent's side, or it is caught in the net. The opponent of the player at fault wins a point.

The first person to reach 11 points in this manner wins the set, provided there is a difference of at least 2 points between the players. Each game consists of 5 or 7 sets (though one can technically have any odd number of sets).

Table tennis
is very flexible in terms of its equipment requirements, though it is recommended that you practice on the best quality table you can afford. The better your equipment the better you can play, although table tennis is a sport that does not require an enormous financial outlay, as all manufacturers produce ranges of affordable tables.

ping pong is a suitable game for people of all ages. For casual players, it is easy to pick up and a good form of exercise. For more committed players it is a competitive and physically demanding sport that tests one's reflexes and agility. Skill and speed rather than power are the physical characteristics required for table tennis, and mastery of these crafts is the first step to becoming an expert player.

Best of all, it works wonderfully well as an indoor as well as an outdoor sport. Moreover, it can be played even in a confined space, making it one of the most versatile sports one can play.

Stephen McTaggart is a keen table tennis player and publisher of http://www.ping-pong-table-reviews.com which gives independent reviews of table tennis tables from all of the major brands. Visitors can upload their own reviews and photographs.

The Rudimentary Basics of Ping Pong

Rudimentary Basics of Ping Pong

A perennial favorite for indoor sports, table tennis or ping pong has been played for over a century now. A very simple sport or game, table tennis can be played by almost anyone. It doesn't require a person to be very athletic, but being agile and possessing fast reflexes and eye-hand coordination is a big asset.

A lot like tennis but on a smaller scale, ping pong has some basic rules and requirements to be followed. This makes the game much more exciting, but most importantly it makes ping pong fair. The need to follow these rules and requirements is necessary like it is with others, there is uniformity and there is no confusion.

So here are some of the basics a person who is just beginning to learn about ping pong has to know about.

First off is the equipment. Ping pong is played on a table which serves as the miniaturized version of a tennis court, that's why most ping pong tables are painted green, to simulate the color of grass where tennis was first played.


The table should be five feet in width and nine feet in length. Generally made out of wood, there are white lines painted on the surface to signify the boundaries. Each player must serve the ball to the right side of the receiver's side bouncing first from the servers' right side.

In the middle of the table, a net separates the table in two, one side for each player or team, in case a double's game is being played. The net should have a height of 15.25 centimeters and is tied to a hook on each side of the table. Most tournaments check the height of the net prior to the game to ensure that the right height is achieved.

A player has to have a ping pong paddle to play the game. No exact measurement is mandated on the racket but what is clearly stated is that all paddles should have a rubber surface on each side. Also, one side of the paddle should have a black rubber surface and on the other side red. If the paddle does not have a rubber surface it is not allowed to be used.

That's why in all major tournaments, the paddle is carefully inspected by an official before the game. The inspected rubber shall be the only one to be used in the game, if the paddle is damaged, another paddle can be used only if it's inspected first.

Another basic rule employed in a ping pong gamer and is especially watched out for in competitions is the moving and placing of the hands on the table. Also, players are prevented from touching the net. This is to ensure that the game would be fairly played and it is the skills of the players which will determine the outcome of the game.

Prior to the changes made in 2000, each set of a ping pong game requires a player to score 21 points. But to speed up the duration of the game, major competitions have lowered it to 11. For a ping pong player to win a game, he or she must win 2 of 3 sets or whatever the rules dictates. Serving is determined by a flip of the coin, after 5 serves, the other player will know get the chance to serve.

Playing ping pong can be much more fun if you know the basic rules. This way, you and your friend will be able to play the game fairly and with much more excitement.

Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information on table tennis, also called ping pong, checkout his recommended websites.

What About Killerspin Ping Pong Tables?

Killerspin Ping Pong

Are you a big fan of the sport known as ping pong (also call "table tennis")? Or are you a passer-by looking for good and reasonable table tennis equipment and wondering which brand would be the best for your buck? You are definitely at the right page because over here, we would strongly recommend killerspin table tennis equipments when it comes to the world of ping pong.

Killerspin is a popular brand when it comes to ping pong. Ask any ping pong player and they will definitely know that killerspin is the brand to go for when you are planning to invest on an excellent table tennis equipments. Not only does it emphasize a lot on table tennis equipments, it is also a brand that sponsors and hosts competitions in regards to table tennis events. To date, killerspin equipments and products can be found on over five continents distributed among fourteen countries.

Killerspin has hosted many large table tennis events with their Killerspin ping pong tables and many other types of equipment. The Killerspin ping pong tables and equipments that are sponsored by Killerspin can mostly be seen on the popular sports channel, in example, ESPN. Killerspin has also been very privileged in being present at the Arnold Sports Festival which is hosted by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Killerspin table tennis tables are made affordable to many and not only do they have a high quality competition worthy tables, they also have high quality table tennis tables for those of you that wants to purchase one table just for home use. Killerspin no doubt has the perfect table made for you and your need according to your funds and requirements.

The Killerspin Ping Pong tables prices ranges from over $350 to under $2,900. For a neat price of $379.05, you can purchase a Killerspin Paragon Conversion Top that comes with two Killerspin rackets and six balls. For a price of $2,849.05, you can buy a cool looking Killerspin Revolution SVR-B (Black Top) and boy, let me tell you; it sure is good looking

Killerspin Ping Pong tables can also be categorized for indoor and outdoor use. If you are planning to have your table tennis table out in the shaded open air, your best choice would be either the MyT5 Street Edition Outdoor Table or the MyT7 Outdoor table that cost only $899.99 and it really is not expensive because it is made of hardy materials to withstand the outdoor conditions. It also comes with wheels so that you can shift it easily when you need to move it around or rearrange your outdoor area without having your table tennis table getting in your way.

If you are planning to invest in an indoor Killerspin ping pong table, you definitely have many choices to choose from. From the cheaper option of Killerspin Paragon Conversion Top to the expensive Killerspin Revolution SVR-B (Black Top). The Paragon Conversion Top Ping Pong table has a look quite similar to a pool table. The MyT(number) series looks like the common ping pong table with wheels for easy maneuvering while the expensive revolution series has somewhat a futuristic look.

>The MyT(number) series is an everyday use Killerspin table tennis tables where you are able to half fold the table for storage or individual playback positions for warming up. Some models have levelers that allow you to adjust the level playing surface as well as the easy up and down pin lock at the leg technology so your table does not swerve left or right when you play.

The revolution series of the Killerspin ping pong tables is created with having professional competitions in mind and has frequently shown itself in the Killerspin Extreme and Spinvitational Tournaments. The revolution series also flaunts its superior design of great stability that it provides besides having its unique cutting edge base with durable metal arched structures. The combination of these structures and design indirectly makes the revolution series Killerspin table tennis one of the best looking tables you have ever seen. Also, the revolution series Killerspin table tennis table requires minimum assembly that will be to your convenience during table tennis tournament.

http://www.killerspinpingpongtables.com

Ping Pong Tables

Ping Pong Tables Review

There are just a few items required to play ping pong. They are:

•   tables


•   rackets


•   balls

The table is the most important item for playing ping pong. It should be of a high quality for beginners and champions alike to enjoy your future games for many years to come. Among the best tennis Tables we can recommend:

Cornilleau Indoor/Outdoor Tables

Cornilleau has designed, developed, and produced high-quality table tennis (ping pong) tables at their plant in France for more than 40 years. State of the art production methods, high quality materials, and a thorough quality control process result in the best tables on the market. Cornilleau tables are produced using galvanized steel and other anti-corrosion materials to provide many years of play. They are all backed by an excellent warranty with a 10-years on the outdoor tops and 3-years on indoor tops and all table frames. Additionally, all of the portable models are easy to fold, provide the playback feature, and include the patented DSI® safety system. DSI® allows the table to be opened and closed quickly and safely with a single handle accessible from the playing-edge. With 16 locking points, Cornilleau tables have the highest level of safety on the market.

Butterfly Tables

The best in German engineering, Butterfly delivers a host of varying features with every level of player in mind. Lightweight or stationary; rollaway or fixed; double wheeled or single; green or blue. The options are endless.

DHS America Tables

Double Happiness (DHS America) table tennis tables and ping pong equipment offers a range of playing levels and purposes, with everything from multi-sport card/ping pong sets to fully-equipped institutional tables. Quick to assemble and easy to store.

Joola Tables

Joola ping pong tables has fast playing surfaces, extra legs for stability, tournament castered wheels, and the like.

Killerspin Tables

Killerspin is an indoor, outdoor, compact, storage-friendly, roll-away, and institutional: whatever your skill level, our Killerspin table tennis and ping pong tables have it. Features include patented up and down pin lock technology for safety, high-density scratch-resistant tops, glare-reduction coatings, and multi-positional adjustments so that you can tailor your table to the game at hand.

Stiga Tables

Stiga provides the table tennis and ping pong table for rec room or gymnasium. Stiga table tennis tables include many different frame styles and top thicknesses and have been engineered with features such as: all weather aluminum tops, patented Quickplay design, heavy duty support aprons, and tournament grade tops.

Prince Tables

feature recreational tables with features such as: the patented Compact Folding Table Tennis system, horizontal cross bars for maximum stability, patented ball return, and reinforced frame sides.

Hello world!

Welcome to Ping Pong World. This Blog is dedicated to the world of Table Tennis.

We will try to keep up with latest news and tournament of this remarkable game. Blog will be updated on a weekly bases.

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