Fitness in Pool.

[billiardthought]

You've just made my point.
In addition, weights can be, in fact, harmful. A case in point was pro golfer Keith Clearwater. Clearwater got into the weight lifting thing big time. Whether it was the adrenaline rush, along with muscle growth, that spurred him on, who knows, but the bottom line is he grew his chest and arms so much that it shortened his swing and wrecked his game. I don't think he ever made a comeback.
Enough with the gimmicks that you think will make you a better pool player. The only think that works, and is time tested, is HAMB. Ask your local pro.

Someone seems to be upset that they aren't in good physical condition, and their game may be suffering from it.

I don't think anyone is saying "workout today and run racks tomorrow". But just like a balanced diet can improve your health but not necessarily CURE CANCER, improving physical condition can improve game play, but everyone agrees WILL improve stamina.

Lighten up, or should I say, toughen up and work out a bit.

 

[bdorman]

Palm trees? Must be the south side of Des Moines.

You sure seem to know a lot about everybody here.

I"m 62, I do 2 hours a week of exercises, and it helps my pool game and you call that BS? By what evidence do you make that call? Have you ever seen me?

Here's a recent photo....I'm the guy without the hat.


Jeff Livingston

 

[midnightpulp]

Indeed it does. It's why Ernesto (who works a relatively demanding day job as a pool table mechanic) can still play with anyone in the world, and why Buddy Hall is probably driving around a Rascal.

 

[dardusm]

You've contradicted yourself, dardusm. You state that it isn't necessary to be in top physical condition to have a top level game, then say: "But, I think those players might even had been better if they were in better physical condition."
Top level is top level, and the guys you mentioned were at the top.
I've seen players who were at death's door shoot lights out, so don't tell me that a few push ups a week is going to give you an edge. While you're at the fitness center showing off for the girls, I'll be at the pool hall playing or practicing. Guess who'll have the edge then.

We can agree to disagree. This game/sport is very complex and even the "top" players can still improve and I think physical fitness is an area that can have an effect. Not saying that unfit player can't play but they may even play better. When you are talking about top play every little advantage can have a aggregate effect and in my opinion fitness can be one of these little advantages.

If Thorsten gained 100 lbs, do you think it would effect his pool game at all?

 

[Tramp Steamer]

He will. Fitness is a benefit for just about any activity, including "non-physical" things like focus - ever heard of that in connection with pool?
pj
chgo

So, you're asking the good people of this forum to believe that the guy working out at the fitness center is going to out play the guy in the poolroom, who has been playing and practicing, because you think he (the fitness fellow) will be more focused?
Since you're the resident know-it-all around these parts, please tell us how physical training improves focus. I'm almost certain that playing and practicing pool does.

 

[philly]

So, you're asking the good people of this forum to believe that the guy working out at the fitness center is going to out play the guy in the poolroom, who has been playing and practicing, because you think he (the fitness fellow) will be more focused?
Since you're the resident know-it-all around these parts, please tell us how physical training improves focus. I'm almost certain that playing and practicing pool does.

You're both right. Regular physical fittness improves stamina which is necessary for long matches and all day tournaments but it's no replacement for hitting balls.

 

[Tramp Steamer]

We can agree to disagree. This game/sport is very complex and even the "top" players can still improve and I think physical fitness is an area that can have an effect. Not saying that unfit player can't play but they may even play better. When you are talking about top play every little advantage can have a aggregate effect and in my opinion fitness can be one of these little advantages.
If Thorsten gained 100 lbs, do you think it would effect his pool game at all?

Hey, I'm just taking the counter-point here. When someone comes on the forum and makes an empirical statement, without bothering to prove that statement, then something needs to be said. It's a forum, for crissakes.

 

[Tramp Steamer]

Someone seems to be upset that they aren't in good physical condition, and their game may be suffering from it.
I don't think anyone is saying "workout today and run racks tomorrow". But just like a balanced diet can improve your health but not necessarily CURE CANCER, improving physical condition can improve game play, but everyone agrees WILL improve stamina.
Lighten up, or should I say, toughen up and work out a bit.

Don't embarrass yourself. I'm a pool player, you're a banger.

 

[billiardthought]

Don't embarrass yourself. I'm a pool player, you're a banger.

I haven't embarrassed myself. Call me a banger if that improves your self image. I am not the one spending time on a forum trying to convince people that physical fitness does not affect the outcome of a game played with our bodies.

 

[philly]

I haven't embarrassed myself. Call me a banger if that improves your self image. I am not the one spending time on a forum trying to convince people that physical fitness does not affect the outcome of a game played with our bodies.

Gotta step up for the Tramp. I never met him but love his posts and from reading his posts I have deduced that he is a solid A player who has been playing religiously for 50 plus years and he does it without exercise. It works for him and when it comes to the game I think he puts his money where his mouth is. Like I said, I never met him, but this is what I have deduced.

 

[Cardigan Kid]

So, you're asking the good people of this forum to believe that the guy working out at the fitness center is going to out play the guy in the poolroom, who has been playing and practicing, because you think he (the fitness fellow) will be more focused?
Since you're the resident know-it-all around these parts, please tell us how physical training improves focus. I'm almost certain that playing and practicing pool does.

I see your point. I think the question really is, take 2 players who train the same regiment with player 1 spending five hours a day at the pool hall and player 2 spending 4 hours a day at the pool hall and 1 hour a day at the gym.

After a few years of this training schedule-player 2 will benefit greatly from the stamina, health and focus and be pretty much even on skills from his 4 hours compared to the other guys 5 hours of table time.

As far a the Miz, Lassiter, Buddy, etc....The ultimate rhetorical question is what of those guys worked out that one hour a day. They were great as they were, but one would have to believe their top end would have been that much higher with the workouts.

Thorsten discussed this very topic with Danny D in the 2013 accu stats player review DVD for the 14.1 invitational. Danny D says today's players are better and a lot has to do with the better physical fitness aspect.

 

[Albatross Cues]

Some food for thought

Aloha

There is one aspect that when added to physical training/conditioning that will propel the person to the next level in sports, and that is mental imagery. I have found that while I am doing my work out I force my mind to focus on my pool game. I can visually see every aspect of the game happening in my mind as I am working out. I can see the break, the lay of the balls, the PSR, shot alignment, pocketing the balls. By focusing on each and ever suttle movement, I am training my mind at the same time I am keeping my body in shape.

Here is a small excerpt from one of the many studies on the subject of mental imagery.

How Mental Imagery Works

The reason visual imagery works lies in the fact that when you imagine yourself perform to perfection and doing precisely what you want, you are in turn physiologically creating neural patterns in your brain, just as if you had physical performed the action. These patterns are similar to small tracks engraved in the brain cells which can ultimately
enable an athlete to perform physical feats by simply mentally practicing the move. Hence, mental imagery is intended to train our minds and create the neural patterns in our brain to teach our muscles to do exactly what we want them to do (Porter, 17).

Works for me and makes sense, seeing how pool is mostly a mental game anyway. Try it some time and see how it might help, or review one of the many studies on the subject. Your game will love you for it.

Aloha

 

[DaveM]

Player 3 spends 5 hrs a day at the poolroom and 5 hrs a week at the gym....seems like he'd have an edge on player 1 or 2. I can't see how, other than "bulking up", or maybe taking practice time away, being in better shape could hurt you. I think it would help some to be fit, how much is anybody's guess in a game/sport like pool. To paraphrase Yogi: It's 50% physical and 90% mental anyway.....

 

[Patrick Johnson]

So, you're asking the good people of this forum to believe that the guy working out at the fitness center is going to out play the guy in the poolroom, who has been playing and practicing, because you think he (the fitness fellow) will be more focused?

Working out doesn't prevent practicing. Practicing plus fitness is better than practice without fitness.

Since you're the resident know-it-all around these parts

Well, you set a low bar...

please tell us how physical training improves focus.

Here's the simplest and most obvious (specially for you): Focus takes effort and consumes energy. When you're fit you have more energy for longer periods of effort. Fatigue and lack of focus are some of the main factors pool players (even pros) cite for low performance.

For many more reasons, try Google (<- I spelled it for you in case you're fatigued).

pj
chgo

 

[Texdance]

In my late 30s I worked out for a year following a pro-designed regimen.

Afterword, I told people "I lifted weights for a year, and all I ever got was tired."

Then in my late 40s I remarried into a house with Grandma, Wife, and Wife's Daughter, all great cooks, all cooking their tastiest dishes.

Of course, with a Thanks-giving size meal six or seven times a week I gained 60 pounds. Fast.

I've been trying to lose those pounds for the past 10 years without much success.

No way am I going to work out any more, and just get tired. I'll limit carbs and hope to lose a pound here and there.

Someone else can win the Senior Olympics of Pool, I am out of the running, so to speak.

 

[SeabrookMiglla]

Nothing beats solid hours of good competitive play and practice at the table. It is crucial to put in the hours and that's where I see my biggest improvements during those spans of increased play. I feel in sync when I'm playing a lot, just a lot of edge and focus. But it's hard at times to commit those hours of play week in and week out. So I'll mix it up during those lull in playing time or if I get burnt out.

When I start getting burnt out and everything becomes jumbled in my head, working out is great for clearing your head and de-stressing. Not to mention increased confidence because you feel good physically which affects you mentally.

Once I start getting burnt out my focus deteriorates and I'm not seeing things clearly I know I need to take a few days off or a couple of weeks with limited play to get my drive back.

Other things like daily reading of books helps me focus and clear my head, kind of like a mental work out.

Just me though...

 

[Colonel]

Aloha



There is one aspect that when added to physical training/conditioning that will propel the person to the next level in sports, and that is mental imagery. I have found that while I am doing my work out I force my mind to focus on my pool game. I can visually see every aspect of the game happening in my mind as I am working out. I can see the break, the lay of the balls, the PSR, shot alignment, pocketing the balls. By focusing on each and ever suttle movement, I am training my mind at the same time I am keeping my body in shape.



Here is a small excerpt from one of the many studies on the subject of mental imagery.



How Mental Imagery Works



The reason visual imagery works lies in the fact that when you imagine yourself perform to perfection and doing precisely what you want, you are in turn physiologically creating neural patterns in your brain, just as if you had physical performed the action. These patterns are similar to small tracks engraved in the brain cells which can ultimately

enable an athlete to perform physical feats by simply mentally practicing the move. Hence, mental imagery is intended to train our minds and create the neural patterns in our brain to teach our muscles to do exactly what we want them to do (Porter, 17).



Works for me and makes sense, seeing how pool is mostly a mental game anyway. Try it some time and see how it might help, or review one of the many studies on the subject. Your game will love you for it.



Aloha

Excellent post. This factor is a true game changer. Independent studies have shown that by meditating and utilizing the visual imagery of playing as you describe not only hones muscle memory but can also create it away from the table. It's a truly powerful tool.

This is a visual sport. In that I mean to create a reality on the table you must first create the picture in your mind. Your subconscious is programmed by visual images, not verbal commands from the voice in your head.

 

[CJ Wiley]

Pool gives us a way to improve physically, mentally and even spiritually.

Do you think that physical fitness is an important feature for a pool player?
How do you stay fit?
General discussion about getting and staying fit, and why it helps with playing (and does it for you).
Most pro players are really fit these days, Mika, Feijen and Deuel to name a few.
Mika has stated that being physically fit helps him playing under pressure for long periods of time, and I totally agree with him.
I start sweating and my heart starts pounding when playing serious games, the same feeling that comes at the beginning of exercising. Feeling hot, sweating, harder to focus.
I often read the facebook pages of SVB and Mika, and they both update their running exercices regularly there. That sort of kicked my butt off the chair and on the road. I started running, a sport wich I hated as a child. To my surprise I now loved it from te very first run, it feels great when going on out there in the woods, breathing my lungs out still hungry to go faster and longer :grin: And an additional bonus for the lazyass me, stretching comes naturally before and after running. I am as flexible as a railroad, especially my legs have always been that way.

Running seems to do good for me, and by doing good to me it helps my game too. As i feel better, I play better. Better stamina makes me perform better when stressed and under pressure.
I also ride my 29"er offroad and on dirt roads, its great fun and really good leg exercise.
Running seems more effective though, as it loosens my back muscles with repeated impacts of steps and it involves more muscles in general.
Muscle strength is maintained by my heavy job as a machinist and a welder. I'm pretty strong for my size, but really stiff and my endurance sucks, so those are my two main things to improve. Stretching and cardio, a lot of both. And then some more after the lot :grin:

Share your thoughts and exercise routines, stories and all things related

If it wasn't for my martial arts studies and teaching I would have never reached the levels I did in pocket billiards. Pool is an art form, much like martial arts in my opinion....Pool gives us a way to improve physically, mentally and even spiritually.

'The GAME is the teacher'

 

[(((Satori)))]

If it wasn't for my martial arts studies and teaching I would have never reached the levels I did in pocket billiards. Pool is an art form, much like martial arts in my opinion....Pool gives us a way to improve physically, mentally and even spiritually.

'The GAME is the teacher'

What is up C.J.?

It's good to see you back.

 

[chefjeff]

Palm trees? Must be the south side of Des Moines.

Maui. Since the pool hall is gone, what else to do but enjoy the outdoors? Bummer.

Jeff Livingston