Fitness in Pool.

Google "slower breathing exercises"

I'll tell you one more exercise that will amaze you if you stick to it.

Breathing exercises

The legendary Rickson Gracie is big on breathing properly and with good reason.

IT IS WELL WORTH YOUR TIME TO DO BREATHING EXERCISES EVERY DAY



Basically its like this. Your goal is to be able to comfortably breath 10 -12 healthy breaths a minute.

People chronically overbreath due to a variety of reason but you must do exercises to slow the breath down. Most people breath in the range of 15-20 breaths per minute and the volume is way more than what is needed. They are taking in way more air than what the body needs. It is as bad for you as overeating.

Ultimately what happens, if you want the science, is it messes with the Co2 levels in our lungs and a loss of Co2 levels in our lungs results in a reduction of Co2 in the blood, tissues, and cells. The release of oxygen from red blood cells depends on the level of Co2 in your lungs. When someone is overbreathing, carbon dioxide is removed from the body causing the oxygen to stick to hemoglobin in red blood cells. This prevents its releas into tissues and organs, such as the brain.

THE CALMER AND QUIETER YOU BREATH, THE LARGER YOUR BLOOD VESSELS OPEN, ENABLING BETTER CIRCULATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF OXYGEN THROUGHOUT THE BODY, INCLUDING THE BRAIN

It is a cycle to since the brain controls the breathing because when you oxygenate your brain then you breath less which leads to more oxygen. But the reverse is true too. If you chronically hyperventilate it leads to less oxygen which leads to worse breathing and you continue to breath faster with more volume and get sicker and sicker.


When you slow your breath rate down to a normal healthy range you will see a whole list of improvements including clear thinking, better overall brain function including focus and memory, less depression, less anxiety, etc. not to mention the good it does to the rest of your body.

It is worth looking into imo.
 
Kelly, go to your local pool hall and find out how many players are into any sort of fitness regimen. You can cull out the smokers fright off the bat.
My guess is you might find one in twenty, if that many.
And, while you're at it, find the best One Pocket player there who smokes and drinks and play him for fifty a game and let us know how that turns out.
Also, welcome to the forum. Kudos for jumping right in there with both feet. I'm giving you a greenie. :)

Would you bet on the Miz or Buddy Hall (when they were at their biggest, but still playing well) in a long race (any game) against Shane, Thorsten, Darren, Niels, etc?
 
I like the additional plank exercises you detailed other than the basic one on elbows/forearms.

I also like the bridge exercise that Pilates recommend for a strong core.

Some light weights for shoulder strength. I use the machine with weights but the elastic bands are great too. This is a must for warding off rotator cuff injury and strengthening shoulder muscles.

I also like to do some Plie Squats with 20-25 lb weights, 10 reps, 3 sets. Hell, it is 10 reps, 3 sets with just about everything. Lol.

All except for the cardio on the elliptical machine- 25 minutes.

Thorsten Hohmann looks like he is getting bigger and stronger every year and it doesn't seem to hurt his game.

JoeyA


A total body workout that takes no more than 15 minutes is plank variations.

2 min. 1) push up position
1 min. 2) plank on elbows
1 min. 3) on elbows (one leg up)
1 min. 4) on elbows (other leg up)
1 min. 5) side plank
1 min. 6) other side
1 min. 7) push up position
2 min. 8) plank on elbows

20 seconds rest in between

If you cant do that time limit then start lower (goal is to have the last 30 seconds of each exercise seem impossible)

Always hold perfect posture. Never let your head sag. Always keep your abs tight.

When you get to where you can do the time listed try to flex every muscle in your body during the exercises. Visualize the fibers breaking down on very specific body parts that you want to focus on.


This works your arms, shoulders, chest, back, core, butt, and legs all in under 15 minutes. Easy for anyone to fit into their day and effective.



Here is an example of one variation>>>> https://youtu.be/pSHjTRCQxIw




Or here is a beginners 30 day challenge https://youtu.be/Hwo1qGnyIUI

And here is an example simply for your viewing pleasure or motivation. https://youtu.be/oRTKqRuQx0Q
 
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Another thing about fitness in pool. If you keep up with the professional players, there is a large cadre of players who have admonished those who use drugs to assist with their focus and stamina. Some professional players believe that physical conditioning does provide better focus, better stamina, and improved ability to handle pressure. I'm with them on that thought process.

Some other players believe that they can play better pool (without exercise and weight training) through the use of pharmaceuticals sometimes combined with a mixture of alcohol or maybe with just a little Mary Jane to calm their nerves or help them focus better.

I believe that MOST of the best pool players in the world will workout or will soon start working out if they want to continue being the best in their field. Just my opinion.

I like to think that you can get better consistency in pool through exercise and weight training than you can with the other items.

Exercise alone won't make you a great pool player but exercise added to your level of ability will make you the best player you can be.

JoeyA
 
Well, alright. But, if in nine months, or so, one of these gals come beating down my front door, I'm going to say, "It belongs to Mr. Livingston, I presume." :smile:

Now I know you're old. I used to hear that line all the time, but not anymore.

Jeff Livingston
 
Well, now. Since this post is back on the front page, let me reiterate my original position.
A regimen of physical fitness, working out regualy, or Pilates (good grief), IS NOT necessary for good, or even great, pool play.
The cue sports do not require it. They never have and they never will. :smile:
 
Well, now. Since this post is back on the front page, let me reiterate my original position.
A regimen of physical fitness, working out regualy, or Pilates (good grief), IS NOT necessary for good, or even great, pool play.
The cue sports do not require it. They never have and they never will. :smile:
And yet... we do everything better when we're fit - even think and sleep. This has been known forever - disputing it is just pointless attention-seeking contrariness.

pj
chgo
 
And yet... we do everything better when we're fit - even think and sleep. This has been known forever - disputing it is just pointless attention-seeking contrariness.
pj
chgo

Who said anything about being unfit? I didn't. The last time I saw my doctor she said I was fit as a fiddle, and I don't "work out".
Johnson, you've got a bad attitude. That, and you twist and turn an op's original statement to suit your own wants, or way of thinking.
You're also a sniper, which is close to trolling. You pounce on posters who make a misstep so as to show them up. It evidently feeds your ego, or lack there of.
I may get in trouble from the boss on this, but you can kiss my ass.
 
Kelly, go to your local pool hall and find out how many players are into any sort of fitness regimen. You can cull out the smokers fright off the bat.
My guess is you might find one in twenty, if that many.
And, while you're at it, find the best One Pocket player there who smokes and drinks and play him for fifty a game and let us know how that turns out.
Also, welcome to the forum. Kudos for jumping right in there with both feet. I'm giving you a greenie. :)

An interesting poll would be to go to the turning stone classic on Saturday night at 8 pm and take note on how many of the remaining players have workout regiments.

You have a point with your pool hall scenario-not really the beacon of health.

But if it's the top echelon of the sport one would be aspiring to obtain in 2015, it's clear the physical fitness side is becoming more and more important. Imo, it's required if one were to aspire to play world champion calibre pool.
 
Do you think that physical fitness is an important feature for a pool player?
Relative to other physical sports/games? No. Pool is at or near the bottom of the list of sports/games in which physical fitness is an "important feature".

Of course one can play marginally better if one is more physically fit. But physical fitness is definitely not a requirement to become a world beater, or simply a good pool player.
 
I saw this article on the main page and it made me think of this thread......

"Practice, practice, practice – that’s all there is to pool success, right? While it is true that playing more pool will typically lead to better skill development, if you really want to maximize your abilities – and work smarter, not harder – then tune in to this month’s column on the three pieces of peak athletic development that can be immediately applied to pool for maximum success.


Whenever I work with elite-level athletes looking to improve athletic performance, regardless of sport, I always suggest we begin by examining the three pieces needed for athletic success:


1. Physical conditioning
2. Technical instruction
3. Metal preparation

"Physical conditioning relates to your strength and stamina. Before tournaments, are you well rested, hydrated, and well stretched? Do you typically eat something light and energizing, and not something that sits in your stomach like a rock? If you are not paying attention to your physical conditioning and usually end up tired and sore while playing a few hours of pool, it doesn’t matter how good your shooting eye is or how cool your nerves are as you will eventually beat yourself by playing sloppy pool due to physical fatigue."

"All three pieces are vital to pool playing success!"


The rest of the article:

http://www.azbilliards.com/news/stories/12178-focus-your-mind-for-maximum-success/
 
Who said anything about being unfit? I didn't. The last time I saw my doctor she said I was fit as a fiddle, and I don't "work out".
Johnson, you've got a bad attitude. That, and you twist and turn an op's original statement to suit your own wants, or way of thinking.
You're also a sniper, which is close to trolling. You pounce on posters who make a misstep so as to show them up. It evidently feeds your ego, or lack there of.
I may get in trouble from the boss on this, but you can kiss my ass.

If your doctor used the antiquated term 'fit as a fiddle,' get another doctor.

I was around when a lot of the old camp of players were around. Most of them couldn't hit a ball without their 'medications.' Some medications were prescribed because they were so out of shape and unhealthy. Some weren't prescribed.

10 years ago, I crashed and burned after a 7- hr practice session. Everything hurt. These days I work out 5 days a week and the only reason I quit practicing after a 7-hour session last week was because I had somewhere to go. The only pills I take are vitamins.
 
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If your doctor used the antiquated term 'fit as a fiddle,' get another doctor.
I was around when a lot of the old camp of players were around. Most of them couldn't hit a ball without their 'medications.' Some medications were prescribed because they were so out of shape and unhealthy. Some weren't prescribed.
10 years ago, I crashed and burned after a 7- hr practice session. Everything hurt. These days I work out 5 days a week and the only reason I quit practicing after a 7-hour session last week was because I had somewhere to go. The only pills I take are vitamins.

This thread is a little old, but what the hell.
What exactly do you mean: "Crash and burn." Were you in an automobile accident? Flying a plane? It was a seven hour practice session? You must have been Superman. And, what in the world is a camp player.
Little of what you have said has made any sense, and anecdotal evidence is hardly relative.
Find out if, Scott, Shane, Efren, Earl, or Steve Mizerak ever work, or worked out. And, something other than an ocasional walk in the evening, if you please. Jeez.
 
This thread is a little old, but what the hell.
What exactly do you mean: "Crash and burn." Were you in an automobile accident? Flying a plane? It was a seven hour practice session? You must have been Superman. And, what in the world is a camp player.
Little of what you have said has made any sense, and anecdotal evidence is hardly relative.
Find out if, Scott, Shane, Efren, Earl, or Steve Mizerak ever work, or worked out. And, something other than an ocasional walk in the evening, if you please. Jeez.

Sure, no problem. If you don't understand I'll be happy to explain.

Crash and burn --- collapse from exhaustion, including aches and pains. It's a more modern term that maybe some older folks aren't used to hearing.

7 Hours of practice isn't unusual. In fact, it's imperative to be able to hold up at least that long if you play in a weekend tournament. Sometimes you have to play 5 sets in a row, if not more.

By 'old camp' I was referring to the generation of players you were referring to. I was around. I knew them too.

Oh, no, as far as I know, those guys definitely didn't work out. I watched Steve huff and puff his way through tournaments back when he was way too young for his game to be spiraling downward because of his poor health.

As for other players, well, I won't say publicly what what kept them going back when they were playing in their prime. But it definitely wasn't exercise.
 
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