Is weightlifting detrimental to one's stroke?

[worriedbeef]

following on from all the previous posts it will probably help your game, because getting fit, healthy, and in shape is beneficial to you in many ways. however it wouldn't surprise me if it had some detrimental effects if taken to extremes (ie: bodybuilding). not that there's anything wrong with it if you want to do it but it'd most likely affect your pool game.

i also juggle a bit, and the issue is the same. in fact building a bit more muscle is even more beneficial because it helps build your endurance and your arms don't tire as quicky juggling clubs especially. however don't try and juggle straight after excercising because it's like the example of playing basketball straight afterwards - you won't be able to do it well. and likewise with pool - if you take the muscle building to the next level (bodybuilding) then instead of strengthening and improving your body, you're completely changing your body's nature fundamentally. which won't help your pool game.

 

[ShootingArts]

cool down and flush

After a workout cool down and then do a very moderate full body work out like walking swinging your arms or duplicating your workout motions without weights. This is to flush the lactic(?) acid and damaged tissue out of your muscles. I preferred to take an extra walk or two hours later as time permitted also, just at a rate and distance to get things pumping a little bit and flush the muscles. Soreness can't be eliminated but it can be minimized.

For best pool I would think outside activities should focus on speed and control more than maximum strength but I have never put that to the test. Of course my favorite workout back then involved low intensity, lots of reps. Lifting twelve ounces for hours on end gave me a very smooth stroke but it was detrimental to my aim.

Hu

 

[realkingcobra]

At 5-11" and 270lbs, I've never lifted weights...well, does pool tables count?...anyway, lifting pool tables has never effected my stroke what-so-ever, I didn't have one before I started, and I still don't now, so...no change for me

Glen

 

[Hail Mary Shot]

After a workout cool down and then do a very moderate full body work out like walking swinging your arms or duplicating your workout motions without weights. This is to flush the lactic(?) acid and damaged tissue out of your muscles. I preferred to take an extra walk or two hours later as time permitted also, just at a rate and distance to get things pumping a little bit and flush the muscles. Soreness can't be eliminated but it can be minimized.

For best pool I would think outside activities should focus on speed and control more than maximum strength but I have never put that to the test. Of course my favorite workout back then involved low intensity, lots of reps. Lifting twelve ounces for hours on end gave me a very smooth stroke but it was detrimental to my aim.

Hu

how did it became detrimental to your aim? as to my aim, I personally rely on my judgement of where to hit the CB and eye sharpness/focus (eventhough I have an eye condition which I really feel is a minus) or simply hand and eye coordination. I would be interested to know the possible factors that your smooth stroke has affected your aim.

 

[cueandcushion]

Weightlifting CORRECTLY will reinforce muscle memory and force you to be precise in your movements. This over the long run can only make your pool game better. You have a better understanding of how your body is working and reacting to certain movements which give you better control. If you are sloppy and chaotic in your weightlifting routine then you will be wasting your time both in the gym AND at the pool table. Many pro athelets have proven that weightlifting does not make you muscle bound and harm your athletic performance. Martina Navritilova and Tiger Woods are both avid weightlifters. Martina is what 50 and still competes on the tennis tour? I thought Ralf Souquet was a big advocate of weight training? Anyone know?

 

[Snapshot9]

From someone

that has played 46 years, and lifted for 45 years, heavy workouts will affect your stroke on minute things, like when you have to draw 4", and you overdraw, on finesse' shots some. But mostly, I tended to overpower the break shot, jumping the table many times.

I am 5'7", 160 lbs currently. I spent most of my life after High School, at about 138-144 lbs, stayed in shape, 38 1/2" chest, 29" waist, played many sports like raquetball, softball, indoor soccer, bowling, and tennis besides
Pool, plus I exercised and lifted. I have been always strong for my size, but not built to 'bulk' as some guys get. I stood up with 450 lbs when young, could clean and jerk 120 lbs with one hand, could press my own weight. I worked out with 75 lbs as my daily workout weight, for presses, curls, etc..

I am now 60, about 5 years ago, I reduced my daily workout weight down to 50 lbs for presses, curls, etc... I have always (since wrestling in High School) done pushups with my feet raised on 2 steps, and can still do 200 if I push it some.

My point is, you can push yourself more when younger because you recover faster, but if too heavy, it will affect your game. As you age, do what your body will allow that still feels okay, but do not overdo it.
As I like to say, 'When you get older, you have to gentle down your life'.

The main thing about working out should be that you are doing it for yourself, and for better health, and to look and feel your best, not so
Suzy-Q will think you are a hunk.

By the way, when I grew up, Charles Atlas and Joe Weider were my exercise idols. Charles Atlas could do more with a chair and/or a broom
that all the people together with their exercise inventions today.

It is okay to workout and lift, but just be reasonable about it.

 

[George Fels]

My first two books were on bodybuilding. IMO weightlifting is not likely to help your pool game and could impede your progress; the essence of training with weights is to feel tight, and the essence of pool playing is to feel loose. If you can alternate the days on which you work out with the days on which you play pool, the workouts probably won't interfere as much. As a long-time practicioner of both, the only way I can stipulate working out helped was in improving my powers of discipline and focus. GF

 

[madhaterm3]

I do not play pool on my workout days

that's why I changed my workout. I must play pool everyday. I don't know what would happen if I didn't.. I think I would cry

 

[efirkey]

My two hobbies are pool and bodybuilding, so I speak from experience. Be smart and careful with your gym efforts. As long as you avoid injury, lifting won't interfere with your pool playing. I would recommend not to lift heavy because this can wear out your shoulder joint and this will kill your pool game. I tore a ligament in my left shoulder and I couldn't play normal for a couple of years.

Take care of your shoulders and lower back. Don't lift too heavy! and you should be fine.