So who Lifts Weights/Bodybuilds??

madhaterm3

madhaterm3

will work for food
Silver Member
So all my idols in pool (men) happen to have a slight gut and don't seem to be all that "in-shape"... I lift weights 4 days a week, am 240lbs at 6'2" at about 14% bodyfat. Lately I've been thinking that my lifting is having an impact on my pool training, I feel as if it is affecting my muscle memory on my stroke and other factors of the game. Unfortunately I have a body type that if I don't lift I will get fat! but I don't want to mess up my game. What's everyone's take?
 
madhaterm3 said:
So all my idols in pool (men) happen to have a slight gut and don't seem to be all that "in-shape"... I lift weights 4 days a week, am 240lbs at 6'2" at about 14% bodyfat. Lately I've been thinking that my lifting is having an impact on my pool training, I feel as if it is affecting my muscle memory on my stroke and other factors of the game. Unfortunately I have a body type that if I don't lift I will get fat! but I don't want to mess up my game. What's everyone's take?
Click to expand...

i did PM me
 
There are some top players that work out all the time. Niels Feijen comes to mind. Lifting shouldn't limit your pool ability, unless your arms are so bulky you are unable to deliver a swift stroke (I'm not sure this ever happens, but I guess it theoretically could).

However, as your muscles change shape and strength, you probably need to make sure you're playing regularly so you can adjust to the changes gradually as they occur. Staying in practice is important, because I don't imagine your muscle coordination comes back to you as easily if your muscles are very different than they were the last time you played.

-Andrew
 
The best example I could think of is Jennifer Barretta. Although she doesn't work-out as much as she used to, prior to her pool career, she was a competitive body-builder. She firmly believes working out is good for her pool game. She thinks her mind and body respond better to pressure and pool's subtle nuances. I mean, the woman KNOWS this stuff better than most and is a pool player 24/7 so I don't think she'd do anything that would have a negative impact on her game.
 
Mad,
I have been going to the gym 4 days a week for almost a year now. It's cut into my pool time quite a bit, but I enjoy doing both. I'm in better shape than I've ever been, and my pool game is at it's best as well.
I play leagues on Monday nights, so I've adjusted my training schedule so that I only do legs, chest and back on Mondays. Back training does give my arms some workout, but not enough to affect my game that night.
Of course, I'm always careful to stick to my regimen of vitamins, supplements, and good nutrition. I can tell a huge difference in my energy levels (and hence concentration) when I'm not sticking to my program.
I really do believe that serious training in the gym can help your concentration at other things. Concentration, mental discipline, staying focused...those are all important in the gym if you wish to succeed without succumbing to injury. Hmm, they also help your pool game immensely!
Best of luck to you in both of your endeavors.
F4P
 
working out has an impact on my game and while some of it has been good, mostly its bad.

Cardio work I believe helps my game, as does ab work and light work on machines.

The real problem for me is that I have been thin my whole life and most of the time when I want to work out, its to gain some muscle. The only way I can do that is to do free weights and those things murder my game. What I find is that it takes me forever to warm up (mostly bc im fairly sore and stiff from lifting) and I am subject to dog any shot at any time. My confidence level is really low right now and honestly I have been seriously thinking about quitting pool for a while because its become so frustrating.

On the bright side, my bench press is up 40 lbs in the last 12 weeks and I feel great. I've made the decision that at this point in my life I would rather have a six pack of abs than run a six pack in nineball, so I shouldnt beat myself up so much when I play terrible pool.
 
Lifting

I use to lift all the time when I was a pup. Then I got married and took a very long break. During that time I took up pool. Well, I wanted to start again a year or so ago but when I lifted I couldn't shoot worth crap. Mainly because of sorenesse and tightness. I scrapped lifting until leagues and stuff were over. Then I started back up and once I got a good routine going and all the stiffness and soreness were gone it quit effecting my pool game. I now lift and play in harmony. Granted, I can't lift much and I still suck at pool, but not any worse than before lifting.
 
madhaterm3 said:
So all my idols in pool (men) happen to have a slight gut and don't seem to be all that "in-shape"... I lift weights 4 days a week, am 240lbs at 6'2" at about 14% bodyfat. Lately I've been thinking that my lifting is having an impact on my pool training, I feel as if it is affecting my muscle memory on my stroke and other factors of the game. Unfortunately I have a body type that if I don't lift I will get fat! but I don't want to mess up my game. What's everyone's take?
Click to expand...

I don't know if it will screw up your game, I don't lift because I find it way too boring. However, assuming for the discussion that it does screw your game, why not just engage in an activity that will help you stay in shape without building muscles that are less than relaxed. At your size you probably don't want to run, but swimming comes to mind.

BTW, I play soccer every spring and fall, because of my age it literally takes a week to recover from Sunday. Screws up my pool game every season, I won't give it up regardless. If you enjoy lifting and it screws up your game, just live with it.
 
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You are going to get as many different opinions on weight training as you would on who makes the best shaft, but here is mine.

I do High Intensity Weight Training twice a week. Basically that means that after a warm up set I lift the maximum weight I can for 1-4 reps, and then I am done with that exercise. My routine takes about 45 minutes, most of the time spent resting between exercises. My muscles feel sore to the touch for the next couple of days. If your muscles are more than sore TO THE TOUCH then you are over training in my opinion. I should mention that I am 48 years old and I bench 250 lbs. and can leg press 540 lbs. My goal is to bench 300 lbs by my 50th birthday.

Using this training method I believe has helped my pool game. I have more stamina and am able to get down over the table more easily because my muscles can support me better. I don't see why weight training should hinder ones ability to play pool as long as it is done correctly.
 
I lift weights in the morning 4 days a week, and do aerobic ex 2-3 days a wk. Lifting weight should not affect the pool stroke, unless you gain a lot of strength and need to adjust a little. Your pool game will suffer for the next few hours after you lift though due to muscular fatigue. I have noticed it affect my game for up to 4 hrs after working out.

On another note. Weight gain has more to do with how much you eat than purely your body type. Lifting weights will only stop you from getting fat because it burns some calories, and because muscle increases your metabolism. There is a misconception that if you stop lifting, your muscle will turn to fat. Muscle does not turn to fat, it just goes away, and the excess calories you now have turn into fat. You could supplement weight training for aerobic exercise if you only wanted to control your weight. I do not really see why you would need to though. Just make sure your weight training and pool time does not occur too close together.
 
If you train correctly and constantly the soreness will fade after a few weeks...

If you train hard and end up continually sore then you need to back off of your lifting....tearing the muscle is the point but not to an extent that it always hurts...not good.

My training/transformation log is on the forum for all to see...coming up on year since I ran the 12 week contest here... happy to say that I am still around 11% bf at 190 ...I hit a low of 180 and 8%...down from 225... and my pool game blew up..I could play longer and stronger than ever before...


The extra wieght I have now is b/c football season is starting up and I bulked over the last few months so I could have a little extra weight to throw around on the field...

Weight training and pool work wonderfully together..you just have to work constant at both....
 
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Hey,,,,

Not That It Matters But As A Guy At The Age Of 52 Who Has Been Very Active In Team Sports, Pool And ''pumpin Iron' I Think It All Has To Do With Both Commitment And Enjoyment,,,,

I At Present Pump Iron 3x/ Week,,,working Uo To To A Bench Press Of 305 For Anywhere Between 1-3 Reps Depending On The Day,,,,having A Table At Home,, I Also Enjoy Hiting A Few Racks Each Night,,,,,

Diet Of Course Is The Factor That Allows Alot Of Us All To Balance Our Lives,,,,,supplements As Well,, Hell,,, I Take About 25 Supplements Per Day,,but,,i Still Enjoy My 'time Off'' Eat And Drink [responsively]..and Enjoy Life,,,,

Like My Doctor Said To Me At My Last Check Up ..''everything In Modeartion'''......i Think , We Can All Live With That !!

Best Of Health To All My Azer's,,, Great Post,,,,,see You At The Gym, Local Pool Hall And Or Sushi Buffett !!


...................................alan...........
 
I'm sure I'll be on my own in this comment, but I've been practicing Bikram Yoga (which is essentially Hatha yoga practiced in a 110 degree room) and it is helping my game quite a bit. Both physically and mentally. I am more focused, more flexible and therefore comfortable shooting and I have more endurance.

-J
 
Exercise in general definitely helps my game. The last few months I've been trying to get back into exercising regularly and had a couple false starts--I'd go to the gym for two weeks, then miss a week for some reason and suddenly it's a month later and I still haven't gone--stuff like that. Anyways, each of those two weeks I was actually going to the gym my game was much better--much more consistent shooting, I was more levelheaded, more focused and able to play longer. Other people noticed, not just me.

Now I'm going regularly solely to help out my pool game. I think overtraining and wearing oneself out can have a negative impact on one's game but I think most if not all people could be helped by regular light-to-moderate exercise.
 
madhaterm3 said:
So all my idols in pool (men) happen to have a slight gut and don't seem to be all that "in-shape"... I lift weights 4 days a week, am 240lbs at 6'2" at about 14% bodyfat. Lately I've been thinking that my lifting is having an impact on my pool training, I feel as if it is affecting my muscle memory on my stroke and other factors of the game. Unfortunately I have a body type that if I don't lift I will get fat! but I don't want to mess up my game. What's everyone's take?
Click to expand...

There is a player from the Los Angeles area named Bobby Yamasaki who was one of the better players in Southern California. He was also a competitive body builder. The biggest effect on his game was that bodybuilding like pool takes up a lot of time. So it took some of his time away from the pool table. I don't think the body building affected his game, other than that.
 
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The Fitness Regimen "They" don't want you to know about...

I do all the 12-ounce curls I can manage each day. Hasn't hurt my game a bit... :cool:

Shhh! Dont' tell, it's a secret!
 
uwate said:
working out has an impact on my game and while some of it has been good, mostly its bad.

Cardio work I believe helps my game, as does ab work and light work on machines.

The real problem for me is that I have been thin my whole life and most of the time when I want to work out, its to gain some muscle. The only way I can do that is to do free weights and those things murder my game. What I find is that it takes me forever to warm up (mostly bc im fairly sore and stiff from lifting) and I am subject to dog any shot at any time. My confidence level is really low right now and honestly I have been seriously thinking about quitting pool for a while because its become so frustrating.

On the bright side, my bench press is up 40 lbs in the last 12 weeks and I feel great. I've made the decision that at this point in my life I would rather have a six pack of abs than run a six pack in nineball, so I shouldnt beat myself up so much when I play terrible pool.
Click to expand...

Fight that muscle soreness with Protein. For me, all I need is a small protein bar, and I can lift weights until I can't lift my arms or hardly walk.....and I won't get sore at all....just by eating 1 protein bar a day.....but that is just me. It works differently from person to person. I think the big difference is the vegetable protein in the bars.
 
Caromsoft said:
You are going to get as many different opinions on weight training as you would on who makes the best shaft, but here is mine.

I do High Intensity Weight Training twice a week. Basically that means that after a warm up set I lift the maximum weight I can for 1-4 reps, and then I am done with that exercise. My routine takes about 45 minutes, most of the time spent resting between exercises. My muscles feel sore to the touch for the next couple of days. If your muscles are more than sore TO THE TOUCH then you are over training in my opinion. I should mention that I am 48 years old and I bench 250 lbs. and can leg press 540 lbs. My goal is to bench 300 lbs by my 50th birthday.

Using this training method I believe has helped my pool game. I have more stamina and am able to get down over the table more easily because my muscles can support me better. I don't see why weight training should hinder ones ability to play pool as long as it is done correctly.
Click to expand...

It sounds to me like you have a power lifter workout.

I did that when I played high school football, and I didn't get very muscular...I got a little stronger, but not as much as I would have liked.

So, I decided to do the exact opposite of what I was forced to do in football training. Instead of hard and fast...I went with slow, medium weights. I found that I gained more muscle and strength in 6 months of lifting this way, than in 4 years of the max weight/killer sets.

I only weighed about 235 (gained 45 lbs of muscle in 6 months), and I could bench 400 lbs like it was nothing (lunges, too). And I didn't take any supplements. But, that is just me. Maybe it is my body type or muscle type that makes me naturally strong. I got in a car wreck, and screwed up my elbow. I am just now trying to get started back up....after a 10 year break. The only reason I survived the car wreck was because I was so strong. The EMTs could tell that I braced myself against the steering wheel. Lessons learned....GeoMetro versus 18 wheeler....I think I did alright against those odds.

I had an incredibly powerful break. I'd like to get that back. It's nice to pocket 7 balls on an 8 ball break.
 
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