Working out and playing pool

S

salam4

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
So I started playing pool about 6 years ago (currently 23 years old) and have been on the journey to become a great player since. I haven't worked out in about 2 years (I havent weight trained in that long, but I have been occasionally running). I would like to get back into weight training but I remember last time I tried weight training and playing pool at the same time my pool game significantly dropped.

Does anyone have any knowledge about working out and playing pool? I would like to continue to get better at playing pool but when I am working out I am always sore or my muscles feel really tight. I lose the finesse in my pool game because of this.

I have heard that if I play pool right after I workout then eventually my body will get used to it. Is this true? Anybody workout regularly and still play pool at a very high level?
 
salam4 said:
So I started playing pool about 6 years ago (currently 23 years old) and have been on the journey to become a great player since. I haven't worked out in about 2 years (I havent weight trained in that long, but I have been occasionally running). I would like to get back into weight training but I remember last time I tried weight training and playing pool at the same time my pool game significantly dropped.

Does anyone have any knowledge about working out and playing pool? I would like to continue to get better at playing pool but when I am working out I am always sore or my muscles feel really tight. I lose the finesse in my pool game because of this.

I have heard that if I play pool right after I workout then eventually my body will get used to it. Is this true? Anybody workout regularly and still play pool at a very high level?
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salam4

No Science Here, BUT. I am 3 times your age, so back when Noah Landed the Arc. Myself and my friends all felt Weight training messed up our touch. But at the same time over the years doing hard work never effected my stroke. But I feel your pain because I have been there also.
 
Ball Banger said:
salam4

No Science Here, BUT. I am 3 times your age, so back when Noah Landed the Arc. Myself and my friends all felt Weight training messed up our touch. But at the same time over the years doing hard work never effected my stroke. But I feel your pain because I have been there also.
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There has got to be some pro players that play pool and weight train.
 
salam4 said:
So I started playing pool about 6 years ago (currently 23 years old) and have been on the journey to become a great player since. I haven't worked out in about 2 years (I havent weight trained in that long, but I have been occasionally running). I would like to get back into weight training but I remember last time I tried weight training and playing pool at the same time my pool game significantly dropped.

Does anyone have any knowledge about working out and playing pool? I would like to continue to get better at playing pool but when I am working out I am always sore or my muscles feel really tight. I lose the finesse in my pool game because of this.

I have heard that if I play pool right after I workout then eventually my body will get used to it. Is this true? Anybody workout regularly and still play pool at a very high level?
Click to expand...

this is just my opinion, but it sounds like you might benefit from spending some time with a personal trainer because you shouldnt be sore ALL the time. spending time with a trainer and defining your goals he can determine what the best course of workouts would be. when you are working out is your goal tone and definition or are you trying to get ripped or bigger? these would be my starting point.

Mike
 
If you always weight train your arms to failure, yes you will have problems.

With your concerns, just don't train that way.

Give yourself several hours of recovery before competing. If you are goind to play just after leaving the gym, you will likely be very unsteady.

I weight train and know that Corey D., Mika, Rodney, and others do as well with no ill effects. Just mind some of those rules about it.
 
This is easy. Just work out all you want and when you have finished take a brisk walk for about 10 to 15 minutes. This will reduce the lactic acid in your muscles. You will then be fresh to play.
 
There's weight training and then there is body/strength building.

I use weights as a way to stay fit and in tone. I use light weights with lots of reps. What I found is that the concentration to do a exercise correctly has helped me in by pre shot routine, stance, and stroke.
 
I was weight training heavy (for me!) for several years to try to put on as much mass as possible on my light frame. I was at the gym 3 to 4 times per weak, and often went to failure. I don't think it affected my game negatively at all. It did make me healthier and stronger in general, which will definitely come in handy when you need the stamina to play a long time. Weight training in general will increase your quality of life. Don't use pool as an excuse not to do it.

The only time weight training hurt my pool game is if I would play pool right after a leg workout. My legs were still shaking, and I would have trouble in my pool stance. Other than that, I would routinely go to the pool room right after the gym, and do quite well.
 
This is a concern for me as well. Especially since I try to use most of my free time to practice. I have missed working out and want to get back into it. I think if I time my work outs right, it shouldn't interfere with my practice.
 
real bartram said:
i lost 50 pounds now i started to lift weights.
donny mills weight trains hard and plays pro pool.
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I noticed that you had lost some weight. Lookin' good bro (no homo).

seriously though, I work out with weights and some cals then running. I now feel more solid over the ball and it definitely helps when you're playing a long set.
 
Workouts/Pool

Having written books on both topics, I'd say Crown City Corey's advice is extremely sound. Don't try to play pool while you're still "pumped", and your time in between your workouts and pool sessions should be increased slightly if you've worked arms and forearms. Remember, the essence of weight training is to feel tight; the essence of pool playing is to feel loose. GF
 
I am not sore all the time but overall my muscles are much tighter. Regardless of how you are working out your arms are going to be fatigued the day of and the day after. If they aren't then you are not working out hard enough.

I guess my main question is has anyone done any specific exercises or stretches that reduces the tightness in your muscles. Maybe a 15 minute run after your workout?

mm4pool said:
this is just my opinion, but it sounds like you might benefit from spending some time with a personal trainer because you shouldnt be sore ALL the time. spending time with a trainer and defining your goals he can determine what the best course of workouts would be. when you are working out is your goal tone and definition or are you trying to get ripped or bigger? these would be my starting point.

Mike
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Most people play pool in the afternoon or at night.....

Because of this, work out in the morning....it gives your body time to recover from the pump....a few other things to remember if you are working out:

Drink tons of water
Eat six mall meals, balanced diet
Vitamins and supplements/shakes help
8 hours of sleep
Balanced workout, at least two days of rest weekly

Far too many people do not feed their body sufficiently to deal with their workouts.....that causes soreness and fatigue.....rest and diet are so incredibly important in ones life.....
 
I haven't read all of the responses so I might be repeating. I weight lifted very heavily at one point. I trained in a way to gain mass so I would lift heavy to failure, usually 6-10 reps for 4 sets per exercise. This killed my pool game simply because my muscles were so fatigued from the workouts that my hands and arms would shake when I made a bridge. This would go away after a day or two but by then you are ready to train that muscle group again. So having said all of that, if you train the right way, I think pool and weights are compatible. I would not train to failure but would use light weight with a lot of reps. Running/cardio is also a good option. Experiment and see what works.
 
I lift weights heavily 4 to 5 days a week and I have, in the past had a tough time trying to juggle playing a lot of pool and weightlifting at the same time. Since I only play a couple times a week now it's not that much of a problem though.

The ways I used to combat this problem was playing pool before I worked out which was easy for me because my gym is open 24 hours a day and I usually practice during the day.

I don't think working out has a negative effect on your pool game in general, it's just tough to play within a couple hours or so of working out.

If you can find a way to workout after playing pool or give yourself around a 4 hour break after working out you should be fine. It might just take you a little longer to get warmed up. I play while I'm sore all the time but after I get warmed up pretty good I either forget about the pain or it goes away...
 
Hi there,

Work out all you want. If you don't use it you lose it. A triend of mine worked out with me for about 5 years. During that 5 years I played the best pool of my life. I won most of the tournys I played in. Had the endurance and my mind was always sharp.

No matter what. Pool is the reason for yourself to stay in shape and become the best you can be.

I'm 56 years old and stamina has been my worst enemy right now. I just made a personal commitment to exercise everyother day for 2 hours. Been doing it for 2 weeks now. I can feel a huge difference.

Maybe you heard of a guy they call Big Arm John. He's got some awsome muscles and what a delicate touch.

Exercise all you want. Good luck............ From someone that's been there...........
 
genomachino said:
Exercise all you want. Good luck............ From someone that's been there...........
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I think there are a lot of ppl on this thread that been there too.

I know from my personal experience that if you train til failure i.e. high intensity weight lifting, depending on which muscle group, it will DEFINITELY affect your game in the short term. Certain muscles like the shoulders, tri's and to a lesser degree, the biceps, when trained to failure, will make my stroke a little shaky for the next couple of days. Also, my speed control and touch will be off too. After two days or so, all is well with my stroke and there are no lasting effects from the workout. From my personal experience, if you want to do heavy lifting (vs. lighter weights or cardio only), you will have two days a week where you won't get much decent Pool practice in.


Eric
 
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