| When performing RESISTANCE TRAINING, strive | | | | acquisition of power - NOT BUILDING |
| for STRENGTH BALANCE ACROSS JOINTS AND MUSCLE | | | | "COSMETIC" muscle. Leave the 18" arms and big |
| GROUPS, as opposed to merely developing size | | | | bench press to your gym and football buddies |
| and strength. | | | | - at least until yourplaying days are over. |
| | | | |
| Why does this matter? Because muscle | | | | More specifically, |
| strength imbalances are among the leading | | | | |
| causes of sports injuries. For example, | | | | WORK EACH OPPOSING MUSCLE AND MUSCLE GROUP AS |
| pulled hamstrings (back of upper leg) are | | | | EVENLY AS POSSIBLE |
| often the result of quadriceps muscles (front | | | | |
| of upper leg) that are stronger due to | | | | For example, do as many sets and reps of an |
| over-training. | | | | exercise (as nearly as possible) for a muscle |
| | | | on one side of a joint as the other. Lifts |
| It's more "fun" for athletes to train those | | | | such as biceps curls should be balanced by an |
| quads, as they look more impressive than even | | | | equal amount oftriceps work. Chest |
| well developed hams. And therein lies a big | | | | (pectoral) work should be balanced by upper |
| problem: | | | | back and rear shoulder work (two good lifts |
| | | | to offset your bench work are bent-over rows |
| TRAINING FOR THE WRONG REASONS | | | | and bent-over laterals. |
| | | | |
| Playing baseball and softball requires the | | | | Don't forget quads/hams, abdominals/hips/ |
| use of every muscle in the body. Clearly it | | | | lower back, front shoulders/rear shoulders, |
| is to your advantage and will help your game | | | | and forearm flexors/extensors. |
| to be STRONG and FLEXIBLE. | | | | |
| | | | (C) 2004, Baseball Fit LLC. All Rights |
| Notice that I use those terms together - you | | | | Reserved. Quotations with attribution |
| need both of these attributes. | | | | permitted. Cite source as Steve Zawrotny's |
| | | | BASEBALL FIT Hitting & Pitching Conditioning |
| As a ball player, your ultimate goal is | | | | - |
| POWER, the ability to do explosive work. | | | | |
| Strength & flexibility are necessary | | | | The information contained herein is the |
| components of power. | | | | opinion of the authorbased on his personal |
| | | | observations and years of experience. |
| So your lifting should be oriented to the | | | | |