The Fitness Industry Association (FIA) has teamed up with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to promote a new form of group exercise - cardio tennis.

Consisting of four stages, cardio tennis classes have been designed for groups of 12 to 14 people and can take place either in- or outdoors.

Lasting 60 minutes, each class involves a warm up and an aerobic section, followed by a tennis session and cool down.

The LTA and FIA deal will see new training courses aimed at level 2 REPs instructors which will arm students with the skills to deliver cardio tennis at health clubs and leisure centres.

According to the LTA, more than 8,500 people already take part in weekly cardio tennis events at 500 venues in the UK.

David Stalker, CEO of the FIA, said: "We're very pleased to be working in partnership with the LTA to get more people active by capitalising on the UK's passion for tennis and delivering more people to facilities to participate in this exciting new group exercise programme."