Lifting Weights before a Tournament?

cueball2010

cueball2010

Member
Let's assume you go to the gym to build muscle. You have 2 different workout routines:
  1. Biceps, back, and shoulders
  2. Chest, triceps, L...
I am excluding "Legs" from workout "set 2" because in my experience, it does effect your pool skill to have sore legs while shooting.

I realize some people don't get sore or their muscles heal within a day so my question might be non-existent. But let's say you go workout at the gym and you end up being sore on a pool competition day (Ex. League/Tournament). Like, my back and shoulders rarely get sore. But the rest does get tight and does feel sore.

Which sore muscle group is least likely to effect your pool game? When I say effect I mean "Poorly". By all means if there are some muscles that actually give you an edge/advantage in pool...Let me know!
 
Black-Balled said:
You miss out on a lot of stuff be asking before looking for historical discussions:
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Weightlifting Site: Forums Azbilliards.com

For those who think it's easier to annoy you than to Google 'Weightlifting site: forums azbilliards.com' themselves.
letmegooglethat.com letmegooglethat.com
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I did see that post from 14 years ago. When I see questions this old I wonder if there are any new insights. I also felt his question was too general. Like I know it is probably best to stick to light workouts if you have a match coming up. But my question was more of, If you do happen to be sore or overworked, which sore muscles are the lesser of 2 evils.

I suppose this is another case of "Different strokes for different folks". But still, I'd like to know what other people do and what works for them.
 
I'll say shoulder or neck are most likely to affect my play. Possibly biceps too. Soreness in other muscle groups has never been noticeable while playing, but I only play for a few hours at a time. All day tourney warriors might be affected more.

For random other stuff, I'd advise against doing heavy upright rows. I nearly tore my shoulders up doing those as a young-un. That exercise is on the no-no list by some weights experts anyway.
 
Pool player who "bodybuilds" here.

I wouldn't recommend lifting before a tournament because of the obvious and I wouldn't recommend it a two days before. Some people have a delay in muscle soreness. If you do shoulders on a Friday, the soreness can come on a Sunday.

To answer your question....avoid shoulders and legs.
 
The tightness and stiffness in muscles is due to lactic acid build up. To eliminate this, when you finished your routines, take a brisk walk for 20 minutes. Problem solved plus it is great for your entire body.
 
Tennesseejoe said:
The tightness and stiffness in muscles is due to lactic acid build up. To eliminate this, when you finished your routines, take a brisk walk for 20 minutes. Problem solved plus it is great for your entire body.
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14 years ago you said 15 minutes. Any reason for the additional 5 minutes? Not ridicule, just wondering.

Is this for the legs only or does it release lactic acid in the whole body?
 
cueball2010 said:
14 years ago you said 15 minutes. Any reason for the additional 5 minutes? Not ridicule, just wondering.

Is this for the legs only or does it release lactic acid in the whole body?
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I am 82 now and walk slower so the extra 5 minutes is good for me. It works the whole body but you will really notice it in your stroking muscle group.
 
cueball2010 said:
I did see that post from 14 years ago. When I see questions this old I wonder if there are any new insights. I also felt his question was too general. Like I know it is probably best to stick to light workouts if you have a match coming up. But my question was more of, If you do happen to be sore or overworked, which sore muscles are the lesser of 2 evils.

I suppose this is another case of "Different strokes for different folks". But still, I'd like to know what other people do and what works for them.
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It would be cool to have all the dialogue on the matter together though?
 
If you lift weights regularly you should not be getting "sore." For me, I feel like I do worse the same day because my muscles are still recovering. I don't feel like I can deliver the cue as precisely on average (although I do on occasion surprise myself). So I try to play on days I haven't lifted. I lift weights three days a week, so generally play pool the other four.
 
garczar said:
12oz. curls are my strong point.
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This cat, the op, asks some kinda 'out there' questions. Registering cues, lifting wts, what does a stroke 'feel' like, pool shoes etc. Curious if he plays or just lurks here. BTW, anyone recommend a toothpaste that's good for a 'pre-pool brush'. This has been really botherin' me so i thought i'd finally ask. ;)
 
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garczar said:
This cat, the op, asks some kinda 'out there' questions. Registering cues, lifting wts, what does a stoke 'feel' like, pool shoes etc. Curious if he plays or just lurks here. BTW, anyone recommend a toothpaste that's good for a 'pre-pool brush'. This has been really botherin' me so i thought i'd finally ask. ;)
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I thought JUDTNUM passed away!
 
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