I want to start lifting weights. Do you guys think this could hurt my game or slow down my advancement since my muscles will constantly be changing? Are there any pros that lift weights on a regular basis?
Lifting Weights and Pool
- Thread starter Harvywallbanger
- Start date
If you lift regularly it wouldn't be a big deal. It also depends on what you lift weights for. If you're going for more mass and max weekly then you'll see more inconsistencies the days following. If you lift like 3-4 times a week and do it consistenly building up slowy, you won't notice as much. I know some people will say it'll affect your game, but so does everything else. Simply put, lift consistenly and after the initial few weeks of adjustment you won't notice your stroke being any more inconsistent than normal. I used to lift 5 days a week. I actually got a better break 
Oh yeah, STRETCH afterwards. People who tend to bulk lose some flexibility and they're so tense! That will hurt most, IMO... if you don't stretch. And it didn't slow down my learning speed. You're muscles are building memory as you advance in pool lifting isn't the only thing changing your muscles. If you however take time off to lift instead of play, that will make things harder to learn. Don't drop your pool time and you'll be fine after the initial few weeks of lifting.
Oh yeah, STRETCH afterwards. People who tend to bulk lose some flexibility and they're so tense! That will hurt most, IMO... if you don't stretch. And it didn't slow down my learning speed. You're muscles are building memory as you advance in pool lifting isn't the only thing changing your muscles. If you however take time off to lift instead of play, that will make things harder to learn. Don't drop your pool time and you'll be fine after the initial few weeks of lifting.
It will definitely hurt your stroke unless you spend time cooling down after the lifting exercises. My suggestion is to jog one mile after the lifting. It is the only thing that worked for me.
Harvywallbanger said:
If I were you, I'd address this question to Jennifer Barretta. She's a former body-builder and is always around the gym. I've discussed this same topic with her on a few occasions and she's got some rather interesting theories on it.
Healthy living = more pool time
I would say the biggest danger is falling into the trap of not stretching enough or incorrectly. I know plenty of people that lift weights and the only time it negatively affects your game is when you are gaining enough mass to affect mobility. Be sure to stretch out and keep yourself BALANCED in terms of flexibility and strength. Good luck with the pumping iron!Harvywallbanger said:
twilight said:If you lift regularly it wouldn't be a big deal. It also depends on what you lift weights for. If you're going for more mass and max weekly then you'll see more inconsistencies the days following. If you lift like 3-4 times a week and do it consistenly building up slowy, you won't notice as much. I know some people will say it'll affect your game, but so does everything else. Simply put, lift consistenly and after the initial few weeks of adjustment you won't notice your stroke being any more inconsistent than normal. I used to lift 5 days a week. I actually got a better break
twilight,
do you train muaythai or mma?
lifting shouldn't hurt your game.
It can affect your game
Especially when you lift seriously enough for power. I used to engage in more than recreational exercise. When using heavy weights one does sometimes injure joints or ligaments. I had found that lifting on the same day as an evening pool match was a disaster! My stroke was affected and was choppy at best.
Stretching both before and after lifting, and before shooting pool for that matter, is essential!
After 20 yrs of religious lifting, I no longer lift weights, I confine my exercise to aerobics and light vigorous activities and have a much better pool game going. I guess the moral of the story is all things in moderation is best. When we get too obsessed in anything there are cosequences.
Especially when you lift seriously enough for power. I used to engage in more than recreational exercise. When using heavy weights one does sometimes injure joints or ligaments. I had found that lifting on the same day as an evening pool match was a disaster! My stroke was affected and was choppy at best.
Stretching both before and after lifting, and before shooting pool for that matter, is essential!
After 20 yrs of religious lifting, I no longer lift weights, I confine my exercise to aerobics and light vigorous activities and have a much better pool game going. I guess the moral of the story is all things in moderation is best. When we get too obsessed in anything there are cosequences.
It will effect all people differently, But i know if you play good pool, and are halfway decent.. its going to have a bigger effect than you think.
Several friends of mine have had trouble when they started working out heavily, it threw their stroke off, and several had to stop working out before major competitions etc.
Several friends of mine have had trouble when they started working out heavily, it threw their stroke off, and several had to stop working out before major competitions etc.
I do both. I have my table and equipment in the basement. In between sets, my resting period, I practice shots.
I don't think it will hurt your game but should improve it as it will keep you in better shape.
I don't muscle my stroke as I just pause at the backstroke and then relax my arm and just let it fall forward swinging like a pendulum. If anything the development of the triceps will help keep your arm steady.
I don't think it will hurt your game but should improve it as it will keep you in better shape.
I don't muscle my stroke as I just pause at the backstroke and then relax my arm and just let it fall forward swinging like a pendulum. If anything the development of the triceps will help keep your arm steady.
Thanks for the feedback. After reading your replies I will make sure I definately stretch before and after and I'll slowley get into a rythem and maybe even start out light so I don't get so sore. We'll see what happens.
Harvywallbanger said:
Corey Deuel, Mika Immonen and Charlie Williams all lift weight in their workout routines.
Back In The Day
When i used to sleep till 3pm, and hang out/play pool all night.
I would swim 72 laps (lengths) at the gym, 4 times a week, and this workout would usually keep my body feeling pretty good, but if i had a $$$ match, or i was in a tournament, i would lift weights, THE DAY BEFORE i had to play.
I would do a nice overall workout, but for my arms, i would only do biceps, and triceps with moderate weight.
Just a couple of sets. Enough to get my arms a little pumped up, but not enough to have my arms feel like they were hanging down to the floor.
I made sure that i lifted weights in the same linear motion that would mimic my stroke, and it worked GREAT.
Using that formula, i played some of my best pool, but be CAREFUL of overdoing it.
On days that i overdid it, i played like absolute JUNK!
When i used to sleep till 3pm, and hang out/play pool all night.
I would swim 72 laps (lengths) at the gym, 4 times a week, and this workout would usually keep my body feeling pretty good, but if i had a $$$ match, or i was in a tournament, i would lift weights, THE DAY BEFORE i had to play.
I would do a nice overall workout, but for my arms, i would only do biceps, and triceps with moderate weight.
Just a couple of sets. Enough to get my arms a little pumped up, but not enough to have my arms feel like they were hanging down to the floor.
I made sure that i lifted weights in the same linear motion that would mimic my stroke, and it worked GREAT.
Using that formula, i played some of my best pool, but be CAREFUL of overdoing it.
On days that i overdid it, i played like absolute JUNK!
havoc said:
I train in Austin, TX at a place called the academy of martial arts, not that that means anything but it is owned by Ray Parra. Actually he sold his place about a year ago to his top Muay Thai student. I am now taking classes from him since Ray is about 30 or so miles away from me. Ray is a student of Dan Inosanto.
what about you? how long did you fight and where do you teach?
What?!
You have got to be kidding. They are all built like a 12 year old boy. I think that Charlie is the only one bigger that Archer. I am sure they exercise, but I don't know if they can possibly left anything that is heavier than a trophy or a paycheck the size of a surfboard.CrownCityCorey said:
PROG8R said:You have got to be kidding. They are all built like a 12 year old boy. I think that Charlie is the only one bigger that Archer. I am sure they exercise, but I don't know if they can possibly left anything that is heavier than a trophy or a paycheck the size of a surfboard.
Go up to Charlie, and wager with him on how many push ups he can do, and then watch as he robs you.
