Fitness And Pool
- Thread starter billiardshot
- Start date
uwate said:
Yup, he's huge and cut. On top of the he plays great, solid pool and is a very nice guy also. Growing up there were a lot of things I idolized him for, he has an amazing amount of discipline and talent.
FLa Pro Tour said:
Thanks! Fla Pro Tour, you on the right track for what I'm looking for, Didn't know about this DVD.
Knew about Bob Henning; http://www.bebobpublishing.com/gym.htm
as someone who is always off-and-on with physical fitness, I can say that exercising most definitely helps my pool game. It helps my concentration, focus, and stamina. Result: I'm much more consistent and I can play better for longer.
One definitely doesn't have to be gung-ho about it and look like some of the guys posted in this thread. But anyone who gets little to no exercise I bet will improve if they just did the standard 30 mins of moderate exercise 3-4x/week.
One definitely doesn't have to be gung-ho about it and look like some of the guys posted in this thread. But anyone who gets little to no exercise I bet will improve if they just did the standard 30 mins of moderate exercise 3-4x/week.
caesar said:
I think you're right that fitness level probably doesn't have a huge impact on pool playing other than endurance. But, endurance can be pretty important, perhaps mostly in the back muscles.
I would venture that your faster break is mostly due to improved technique rather than additional strength.
You can't beat father time, but if you are an amateur body-builder, and you DON'T use the juice, and you incorporate stretching and cardio into your REGULAR training cycle, you're doing all the right things to stay ahead of him as long as possible.
Tom
Tom M said:I would venture that your faster break is mostly due to improved technique rather than additional strength.
On page 198 Chapter 13 Jack H. Koehler wrote in his book "The Science of Pocket Billiards" The following Excerpt:
Tom M. I see Koehler agree with you on the Flexing and Stretching routine /exercise.
BigGun72 said:
But, stronger muscles aren't what make you a better pool player. Better coordination makes you better at pool. Hell, even strength isn't as much about muscles as many people think. Take a look at pocket hercules at something like 140 pounds putting up 3-400 pounds over his head.
Get healthier shoulders, back and legs and your pool playing may increase slightly. Increase your power and your break will improve slightly.
When it comes down to it. Get in shape for your health and practice your pool to get better at your pool.
Because where they spend 6-8 hours in a gym, a player is spending the same time in a pool room.
Weight training in moderation and cardio had me playing some of my best pool ever.
Weight training in moderation and cardio had me playing some of my best pool ever.
uwate said:
I'm not into bodybuilding but I do work out 6 days a week to stay in shape. The muscles are a by product of doing it. My goal is not to be a huge hulking bodybuilder though. Only supplements I take are protein drinks after a workout. And before anyone jumps in and says working out 6 days a week is too much I should clear it up by saying that I do 2 upper body workouts (Monday and Friday) one lower body workout (Wednesday) and 3 cardio workouts (Tue. Thur. Sat.). I reverse the upper body and lower body workouts each week. I have to say that it has actually helped my game. I have way more endurance than I used to and I gotta tell ya, when you're in a tournament that starts at 10 in the morning it's nice to still feel peppy at 7 in the evening when the finals roll around and everyone is burnt out. I also feel that my break has improved with it. Not the power of it as much as the muscle control to keep the cue on line when breaking. So yeah, I would say that an exercise regimen is good for your game.
MULLY
it won't teach you how to draw a ball though
MULLY
it won't teach you how to draw a ball though
recommendations
I find pool & lifting to be like 2 vivacious mistresses competing for my time.
.
What were the trainer's recommendations? The real question would be organizing one's workouts so that they do not interfere with pool. For example, how much recovery time is necessary between lifting & pool? Are there exercises which do not interfere? Are high reps better than high intensity?Fart sniffer said:
I find pool & lifting to be like 2 vivacious mistresses competing for my time.
.
I have to say......
I started working out about 4 years ago while actually playing a lot of pool at the time. At first, I thought it was going to ruin my stroke, make me too bulky and loose flexibility. I consulted a lot of my friends that were in the Exercise Science program at a local university. They seemed to think that there would be no problem as long as you stuck to a couple of guidelines. First, you want to use light weight and sets of 12 to 15 reps. Second, try not to actually lift more than 4 days a week. Lastly, always stretch before and after you are done with whatever muscle group you are using. I stuck to those guidelines and threw in cardio about 3 times a week and have nothing to say but I've received amazing results. Concentration is the main thing along with endurance. Another aspect that some may not realize, is when we are playing pool we are using a lot of smaller muscle groups (triceps, forearms, biceps, and shoulders) which are easier to break down. The more we build the muscle groups we are using while playing, the less chance of them failing or falling out on us, easier said, the stronger the muscle the less chance of "choking" or dogging the shot due to MUSCLE FATIGUE. There is of course the mental aspect, which is a whole other discussion. Overall, I have found that working out is a huge advantage when playing pool. If two guys play each other and are dead even, I?m betting on the guy in shape!!!
I started working out about 4 years ago while actually playing a lot of pool at the time. At first, I thought it was going to ruin my stroke, make me too bulky and loose flexibility. I consulted a lot of my friends that were in the Exercise Science program at a local university. They seemed to think that there would be no problem as long as you stuck to a couple of guidelines. First, you want to use light weight and sets of 12 to 15 reps. Second, try not to actually lift more than 4 days a week. Lastly, always stretch before and after you are done with whatever muscle group you are using. I stuck to those guidelines and threw in cardio about 3 times a week and have nothing to say but I've received amazing results. Concentration is the main thing along with endurance. Another aspect that some may not realize, is when we are playing pool we are using a lot of smaller muscle groups (triceps, forearms, biceps, and shoulders) which are easier to break down. The more we build the muscle groups we are using while playing, the less chance of them failing or falling out on us, easier said, the stronger the muscle the less chance of "choking" or dogging the shot due to MUSCLE FATIGUE. There is of course the mental aspect, which is a whole other discussion. Overall, I have found that working out is a huge advantage when playing pool. If two guys play each other and are dead even, I?m betting on the guy in shape!!!
berlowmj said:
I can only speak from personal experience, but I've found that if I try to play pool say an hour or two after a workout (either cardio or weight-lifting) then I'm a little worse off. I still feel somewhat worn out and rubbery.
If I play, say, that same day 4+ hours after working out then I play my best. I'm the most focused and energetic.
On days I don't exercise I'm between the two, although as long as I'm in a phase where I'm exercising regularly I'm always better than those times that I don't exercise regularly and I'm just a slug dragging myself to the pool hall every day.
Exercising isn't going to turn a C player into an A player, but it may make him a C+ player, or at least a better player in the C range. And that has nothing to do with bigger biceps somehow helping someone shoot better, and has everything to do with the fact that regular exercise helps people focus and concentrate more, and have more stamina. So regular exercise helps people in all areas of their lives, whether it's schoolwork or work in a cubicle job, or if it's professional sports.