Physical Conditioning routine for aging billiard players

justnum

justnum

Billiards Improvement Research Projects Associate
Silver Member
I am getting old and I have aches.

Taking the DrDave scientific approach to problem solving I determined the cause to be poor postures and bad habits.

I Did what any educated person would do, I checked youtube for videos.

Next was to breakdown my problems into back problems, shoulder problems and balance problems.

Yoga is surprisingly difficult, getting comfortable with breathing in challenging positions is a different type of workout.
But it feels very similar to how one should practice loosening up for a big match or competition.

The routine I am using is a series yoga transitions and poses. Its helping me find when I am comfortable with my body. There have been many times when I play a shot feeling uncomfortable because it was a weird set up.

Maybe I will make a video of the workout routine in true DrDave form.

Breathing for Billiards and Yoga for the Body next video
 
There is a good reason that pool is so popular in retirement communities. It is a very healthy way to have fun and also get some much needed exercise. You are walking around, bending and stretching for an extended period of time. Someone I knew who always wore a pedometer once told me that during his practice sessions, he was walking about two miles per hour. I do know that when I used to play six to eight hours a day, I was always slim and trim, about 145 pounds sopping wet. After I pretty much quit pool in my late 40's I quickly went up to 155. From there I reached a high of 175 pounds at age 60. I had a big belly. Since then, by watching what I eat and getting regular exercise (mostly walking and calisthenics) I'm back down to 155-160 and I feel light on my feet. Bottom line, playing pool is good for your health!
 
Last edited:
jay helfert said:
There is a good reason that pool is so popular in retirement communities. It is a very healthy way to have fun and also get some much needed exercise. You are walking around, bending and stretching for an extended period of time. Someone I knew who always wore a pedometer once told me that during his practice sessions, he was walking about two miles per hour. I do know that when I used to play six to eight hours a day, I was always thin and trim, about 145 pounds sopping wet. After I pretty much quit pool in my late 40's I quickly went up to 155. From there I reached a high of 175 pounds at age 60. I had a big belly. Since then, by watching what I eat and getting regular exercise (mostly walking and calisthenics) I'm back down to 155-160 and I feel light on my feet. Bottom line, playing pool is good for your health!
Click to expand...
That's interesting, I never would have thought pool would be that much walking but thinking about how one circles the table over and over, I can see how you would def burn up a lot of calories playing that much pool. I used to do a lot of courthouse document research and I tell ya, just standing and lifting the giant books in the courthouses and putting them back in their slot when done, eight hours a day, is tiring! I was much slimmer, too! And, of course, younger.

I think yoga is probably a great exercise if one can do it. Anything like that and stretching, good!
 
justnum said:
Yoga is surprisingly difficult, getting comfortable with breathing in challenging positions is a different type of workout.
But it feels very similar to how one should practice loosening up for a big match or competition.

The routine I am using is a series yoga transitions and poses. Its helping me find when I am comfortable with my body. There have been many times when I play a shot feeling uncomfortable because it was a weird set up.
Click to expand...
livemusic said:
I think yoga is probably a great exercise if one can do it.
Click to expand...
I've often compared pool to yoga - I think it's very similar as exercise (if yoga was only one pose). I bet yoga's great for pool players.
livemusic said:
I never would have thought pool would be that much walking but thinking about how one circles the table over and over, I can see how you would def burn up a lot of calories playing that much pool.
Click to expand...
I used to kid myself that walking around a pool table was enough exercise, especially for an already slim guy like me - until I had to get a triple bypass. Now I make sure I get some aerobic activity too.

pj
chgo
 
Last edited:
Best exercise is play left handed. Because our body will get more balanced. Billiard is one sided action and we do it years after years our body muscles get one sided and that causes a lot of problems.
Olympic Pistol shooters have replica home that they will keep on aiming position when they are home cooking etc...
If they don´t they will have huge difference on body muscles fast. Billiard is not so obvious but same is happening there.
Also it is good skill to have. Ability to play other hand too. That also creates new nerve routes for brain.
 
Poolmanis said:
Best exercise is play left handed. Because our body will get more balanced. Billiard is one sided action and we do it years after years our body muscles get one sided and that causes a lot of problems.
Olympic Pistol shooters have replica home that they will keep on aiming position when they are home cooking etc...
If they don´t they will have huge difference on body muscles fast. Billiard is not so obvious but same is happening there.
Also it is good skill to have. Ability to play other hand too. That also creates new nerve routes for brain.
Click to expand...

I practiced pocketing left handed, but I dont practice breaking lefty.

Thanks for the idea. I got that idea after reading your post.

In skateboarding leading with the left is called goofy.
 
justnum said:
I practiced pocketing left handed, but I dont practice breaking lefty.

Thanks for the idea. I got that idea after reading your post.

In skateboarding leading with the left is called goofy.
Click to expand...
Get the Chuck Norris Total Gym. You'll look as manly as Christie Brinkley in no time. (y)
 
HNTFSH said:
Get the Chuck Norris Total Gym. You'll look as manly as Christie Brinkley in no time. (y)
Click to expand...

If anyone has learned an instrument, you'd be familiar with the physical ability versus developing the coordination.

Some beginners learn bad habits and later have to fight them.

I used to read Billiards Digest and I rarely saw fitness tips. Compared to other sports magazines, fitness specific training is given freely and debated by amateurs online. Dont skip legs.

I am saying physical conditioning for pool is a different component of competitive pool training. Physical conditioning for pool players does not exist. Training with the current scientific approach to physical conditioning has no textbook. I dont even think sensory data has been taken from pool athletes during competition.

Caring about personal health is a thing. Let's talk openly about it. I care about people on this forum.

The easiest way to adjust eating habits is eating slowly. Load up the plate, but eat a little bit, wait 15. see how hungry you feel. then repeat. That tip has helped my over eating so much. I can time out my hunger urges, its like being a hormonal high school teen.

Brinkley is in shape. I'd say better shape than Arnold or any of the famous males of her day.
 
Last edited:
justnum said:
I am getting old and I have aches.

Taking the DrDave scientific approach to problem solving I determined the cause to be poor postures and bad habits.

I Did what any educated person would do, I checked youtube for videos.

Next was to breakdown my problems into back problems, shoulder problems and balance problems.

Yoga is surprisingly difficult, getting comfortable with breathing in challenging positions is a different type of workout.
But it feels very similar to how one should practice loosening up for a big match or competition.

The routine I am using is a series yoga transitions and poses. Its helping me find when I am comfortable with my body. There have been many times when I play a shot feeling uncomfortable because it was a weird set up.

Maybe I will make a video of the workout routine in true DrDave form.

Breathing for Billiards and Yoga for the Body next video
Click to expand...
Another good thing is anything you can do that strengthens core muscles.
 
Black-Balled said:
I think that is bakcwards. Riding the board with R foot in from is goofy foot.
Click to expand...
Oh yeah. More than fifty years ago I was a fairly good surfer. Goofy foot comes from the water world not cement sidewalks. And yes it means leading with the right foot. Also surfing a left handed break.

But this is justnum, so a certain amount of credibility is a given.
 
Did anyone catch what Earl was saying about his physical abilities during one of his Billiard Network commentary matches? He claims he runs everyday, trying to go 100 days in a row. (definitely not for everyone). and I think he said he did about 700 sit ups a day . Anyway he considered himself an athlete. He certainly believes physical training for pool is a must.

I have to say it has been a real treat to hear how a world class players looks at the layout and the shot. His commentary is very instructional, IMO.
 
I've gone thru periods of somewhat nutty physical stuff and in my experience, any long term benefit is decreased by constant hunger, muscle fatigue and feeling like you got run over...on a day to day basis.
 
robertod said:
Did anyone catch what Earl was saying about his physical abilities during one of his Billiard Network commentary matches? He claims he runs everyday, trying to go 100 days in a row. (definitely not for everyone). and I think he said he did about 700 sit ups a day . Anyway he considered himself an athlete. He certainly believes physical training for pool is a must.

I have to say it has been a real treat to hear how a world class players looks at the layout and the shot. His commentary is very instructional, IMO.
Click to expand...
He knows so much about pool he couldn't possibly verbalize it.
 
justnum said:
The easiest way to adjust eating habits is eating slowly. Load up the plate, but eat a little bit, wait 15. see how hungry you feel. then repeat. That tip has helped my over eating so much. I can time out my hunger urges, its like being a hormonal high school teen.
Click to expand...

Another tip is to not drink water or liquid while you're eating. It sounds weird, but if you wait for like 30 min after you eat to drink water you stay satisfied longer.
 
With a little bit of time and consistent practice you can strengthen movements you have never tried before, and that strength will carry over because you are sensitive to it now.

Think of it like learning to dance. But this is learning how your muscles work.

Rounding the back when recoiling off the table can be a cause of excessive stress.
You may notice the pain after awhile, that is bad form pain.


Learning how to engage the core and straighten the back takes a lot of time to master.

Just turn it into a physics problem.

If you have pain, your not operating your muscles properly.
Id be curious to know if DrDave has a video on back health problems for pool players.
He has a thorough library.
 
justnum said:
With a little bit of time and consistent practice you can strengthen movements you have never tried before, and that strength will carry over because you are sensitive to it now.

Think of it like learning to dance. But this is learning how your muscles work.

Rounding the back when recoiling off the table can be a cause of excessive stress.
You may notice the pain after awhile, that is bad form pain.


Learning how to engage the core and straighten the back takes a lot of time to master.

Just turn it into a physics problem.

If you have pain, your not operating your muscles properly.
Id be curious to know if DrDave has a video on back health problems for pool players.
He has a thorough library.
Click to expand...
Spoken like a true freshman!

Wait until degenerative issues due to repetitive motions grabs you like youz its bitch.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top