Lifting weights and pool
- Thread starter CTYankee
- Start date
I think the last time I lifted weights was my 10th and last season playing hockey (about 4 years ago) and about the same time I took up pool seriously. Now I'm a small guy - 5'5" 125lb. I couldn't imagine working out again to put on good muscle weight without it affecting my game. I could see it changing the way I stroke and of course that's possible to adjust to.
I'd consider working out again if it weren't for the fact that I just can't fit it into my schedule.
I'd consider working out again if it weren't for the fact that I just can't fit it into my schedule.
i can't even dream of being half as good at the game as most of the people on this forum, but weightlifting is something that i do all the time. i don't think it should be a big concern depending on your workout routine. i think, if anything staying in good physical shape, and having a regular workout/excercise plan would improve your game. the lactic acid buildup and muscle soreness can usually be taken care of with light jogging and stretching and shouldn't be that big of a deal as long as you do everything right.
smokeandapancak said:
i agree with you, i was talking about BBing with D-Bol, test etc. when you train like that pool is history, what i want to design is a agressive workout routein that wont hurt a players game but help it because when your fit you play better, but I dont want to do a half-assed work out routein and be a half assed pool player, i want to push the limits of both diciplins, see you next time in Munich,i hope,
best
fatboy
rackaddict
Registered
I've been playing pool for over 20 years and been lifting 3-4 times a week, instead of going to lunch, for the last 11 years. Not serious lifting, but I'm fairly muscular. I can honestly say I've played my best pool over the last couple of years, so lifting doesn't seem to harm my game. Even if it did hurt it a little bit, staying in shape and fighting off aging would make it worth it to me.
I will say my style of game has definitly changed after getting into lifting. Not as much fast & loose, more slow and deliberate, but as many wins as ever.
Keep lifting and playing , just don't even think about playing for about 3 -4 hours after you have lifted.
I will say my style of game has definitly changed after getting into lifting. Not as much fast & loose, more slow and deliberate, but as many wins as ever.
Keep lifting and playing , just don't even think about playing for about 3 -4 hours after you have lifted.
I lift in the mornings (anywhere from 5am up to 8am) and usually start playing by11am. I don't have a problem. I do make sure I have 2 or more hours rest and eat right after my workout to get the body working on replenishing seemed to really help. I have been working out hard for the last 3 months now and my pool game only struggled the first 3 weeks and then my body learned to adapt. BTW, I have lost 41 pounds so far and still going strong on the diet and exercise. I haven't had the need or desire to cheat yet. 
24 Hour Fitness has been a life saver for me. Getting a trainer was expensive, but I have learned so much from him, it has been so worth it.
24 Hour Fitness has been a life saver for me. Getting a trainer was expensive, but I have learned so much from him, it has been so worth it.
One Thousand Reps
I re-joined a gym after many years lay off. Even got a physical trainer to make sure I wasn't going in the wrong direction right off. The PT suggested low weight to simply keep the body toned on odd days, even days would be cardiovascular workouts. I didn't like the low weights because I forgot how good the pain feels when your muscles ache from stretching them so I increased weights a little. That hurt my pool game. Went back to lighter weights, more cardiovascular workouts but was spending too much time in the gym and not enough time in the pool room and that hurt my game.
I thought I would go to the gym when I felt like it since going so much was hurting my pool game but that didn't work out either. The wife *****ed at me for not going to the gym so I quit and I am back to the pool room lifting 19 ounces with at least a thousand reps per night.
JoeyA
CTYankee said:
I re-joined a gym after many years lay off. Even got a physical trainer to make sure I wasn't going in the wrong direction right off. The PT suggested low weight to simply keep the body toned on odd days, even days would be cardiovascular workouts. I didn't like the low weights because I forgot how good the pain feels when your muscles ache from stretching them so I increased weights a little. That hurt my pool game. Went back to lighter weights, more cardiovascular workouts but was spending too much time in the gym and not enough time in the pool room and that hurt my game.
I thought I would go to the gym when I felt like it since going so much was hurting my pool game but that didn't work out either. The wife *****ed at me for not going to the gym so I quit and I am back to the pool room lifting 19 ounces with at least a thousand reps per night.
JoeyA
2 addictions
Its tough to balance the 2 addictions & still have time for anything else. If you dont have a massage therapist living in your house, the jaccuzzi is the next best thing. Boiling in the dark, looking up at the stars, a little camomile tea-can't beat it.
CTYankee said:
Its tough to balance the 2 addictions & still have time for anything else. If you dont have a massage therapist living in your house, the jaccuzzi is the next best thing. Boiling in the dark, looking up at the stars, a little camomile tea-can't beat it.
Soreness
CTYankee, don't worry too much about soreness. It will happen, and sometimes you'll play through it, but it doesn't have to adversely effect your play, except maybe in the very beginning when the soreness can be extreme until your body gets used to the weight training.
If you're about to play pool, and your muscles feel sore and tight, go on a brisk walk, enough to get your heart rate up, for 6-8 minutes, and then stretch your muscles, with long steady (no "bouncing") stretches, for about 12-15 seconds each stretch. It's important to get your blood flow up for a few minutes first, as stretching cold muscles is not an effective way to loosen them.
Once your muscles are stretched and loose, the soreness should not affect your play. If you sit still for a while and tighten back up, re-warm and re-stretch your muscles.
-Andrew
CTYankee, don't worry too much about soreness. It will happen, and sometimes you'll play through it, but it doesn't have to adversely effect your play, except maybe in the very beginning when the soreness can be extreme until your body gets used to the weight training.
If you're about to play pool, and your muscles feel sore and tight, go on a brisk walk, enough to get your heart rate up, for 6-8 minutes, and then stretch your muscles, with long steady (no "bouncing") stretches, for about 12-15 seconds each stretch. It's important to get your blood flow up for a few minutes first, as stretching cold muscles is not an effective way to loosen them.
Once your muscles are stretched and loose, the soreness should not affect your play. If you sit still for a while and tighten back up, re-warm and re-stretch your muscles.
-Andrew