3 Idiotic Weight Training Myths in Baseball

3 Idiotic Weight Training Myths in Baseball
By Guest AuthorThomas E Wilson

There are many myths out there pertaining to weight training for baseball players. Some of them were created a while ago while others were started not too long ago with the aid of the internet. Through the years, several players have been held back in their baseball workouts as a result of these common myths. We hope that by knowing the actual facts you will know how to adapt your baseball workouts so that you can reach your full potential in the game. Please be aware that I am in no way a doctor and you should seek the advice of your doctor before starting any training plans.

Myth 1: Weight training will probably mess up a great swing.

Facts: Absolutely nothing could be more incorrect! Weight training is vital to become a better hitter! Specific things should be taken into consideration while weight training though. Make sure you're stretching before and after you train, and balance your workouts with cardiovascular training too. Another point to bear in mind is that you're a baseball player and your main training priority is to become better at baseball. This means that while you ought to be exercising, you have to dedicate the majority of your time on the baseball field practicing your baseball fundamentals.

Myth 2: Pitchers should not lift weights.

Facts: Like myth one, not much could be more wrong. If you are a pitcher who doesn't weight train, then you are going to be beaten more often than not by hitters who do lift weights! Several individuals claim that you will get hurt by lifting weights if you are a pitcher. The fact is though, that weight lifting actually keeps you from getting hurt! This is the reason why most major league pitchers commit to a year-round training program, to keep themselves conditioned for the 200+ innings they will be throwing each year.

Myth 3: Weight training is going to make an athlete a better hitter or a better pitcher.

Facts: You are probably saying to yourself "you just told me that both hitters and pitchers should lift weights but now you're telling me it will not make me a better player?" Yes, I am telling you that lifting weights will not make you a better hitter or a better pitcher...alone. While it is extremely important to incorporate a great weight training program into your workouts, you ought to be practicing your swing or your pitching motion to actually make you a better hitter or pitcher. What I'm trying to say is that you need to be spending at least as much time on the field as you are in the gym. It is all about sticking to a well-balanced workout plan.

Now that we've debunked these common baseball training myths, I hope you will find a way to fine-tune your baseball workouts and training plan to help you become the greatest player you can be!

Are you interested in improving your game and being the best baseball player you can be? If so, check out www.BestBaseballWorkouts.com to find more helpful information as well as baseball workouts and training programs for sale that will take your game to the next level!

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The Importance of Weight Lifting For Baseball

By Jim Bain


Traditionally, for the most part baseball players are not as ripped or bulked muscle definition wise as football players. The vision of rippling muscles flexing under the tremendous strains of lifting weights does not seem to compute for a MLB player in the gym as it does for a football player in the weight room. Although it's true football players normally require additional and different muscle bulk for the tasks they must perform vs. the baseball player, that doesn't mean a baseball player isn't suppose to be muscular or work out with weights. Alas, just the opposite is true.

The core strength of a baseball player, shoulders, hips and legs must be very strong in order to produce the explosive energy which propels baseballs 410' or throws a 100 mph fastball.
Core strength is produced by muscle bulk and muscles are built by lifting weights of varying sets, reps and amounts. The heavier the weight, the bigger the muscle mass which is created, while the more sets and reps performed, the more toned and lean the muscle.

Let's exam just one aspect of building muscles through lifting weights which increase core strength and how it enhances our baseball abilities. The legs are the foundation of the core, giving the body balance and an ability to coil and explode much as a snake when striking.

The legs must be strong enough to carry and balance the entire weight of the body as it prepares to begin the starting mechanism of the swing, or being able to hold the hands back as the body begins its motion forward.

Most non-baseball people mistakenly believe the power for hitting originates in the shoulders and chest area, which is not correct, not totally that is. The explosion of power originates from the turning of the hips, which when turned with speed and power, leads the rest of the body into a powerful pin wheel reaction increasing the velocity and speed of the baseball bat as it travels through the hitting zone.

This speed of the bat, as we know, is what actually transfers the body's strength and power into the baseball as contact is made. Simply defined, slow bat speed equates into weak hitting, while quick bat speed equates into powerful hitting and the sum of it all...weak core strength equals slow bat speed. Increasing core strength through exercising with weights is the best method to achieve results in the shortest period of time.

That's not to say other forms of training, cardio, stretching, pilates or yoga are not essential for perfecting our body strength, flexibility and limberness in order to prevent injury, but for pure muscle building.. Lifting weights in the proper manner is the Best method to build strength through muscle bulk.

Jim ( Coach ) Bain is a former Minor League Player and Coach of Youth Baseball for over 10 years. He has drawn from fellow successful coaches' experiences and combined them with his own extensive experience to create a Baseball Teaching Website. The site is packed with 100s of tips, drills, history and instruction on how to play and coach the game of baseball. http://www.Learn-Youth-Baseball-Coaching.com
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5 Ways to Add Power to Baseball Swing and Improve Arm Strength

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Article Title: 5 Ways to Add Power to Baseball Swing and Improve Arm Strength
By Jack Perconte

If there is one thing I would have done differently in my major league career it would have been to consistently use a strength building program during the season. Understand that for most of my early career lifting weights was frowned upon for baseball players. Why that was I am not sure. Probably because people assumed that lifting weights would make players build muscle that would inhibit the long fluid actions ballplayers need. Anyway, gaining and maintaining strength for ball players is essential and can keep a baseball player physically and mentally strong throughout the season. The great number of games during the season often zaps a player's strength which may lead to mental fatigue as well.

Of course, the best way to develop strength and power is to swing the bat and throw the ball more. Performing repetitions of the actual skills of swinging and throwing will lead to strength. For players who want to be their best, there is no substitute for swinging and throwing more than your competition. From experience I have noticed baseball players who throw and swing more months (up to nine), are the players who increase their power and arm speed the most. It is a good idea to give the body and mind a two or three month break from the skill training, but the conditioning and strength work can continue year round.

However, it has been proven over the years that bigger, stronger, faster can be improved through a weight training program. With that in mind, following are some basic tips that players of all ages can use to develop power and arm strength without having to hire a personal trainer or buy expensive exercise equipment:

1. Much of the bat speed, control of the bat and throwing speed comes from the forearms, hands, wrists and fingers. Players can work on these areas by squeezing things. There are many useful items on the market designed to help, but squeezing a tennis ball or water out of a towel will work just as well. Doing this a few minutes a day will develop the strength that will make a difference with how to get the ball to "jump off the bat" and have a "livelier" fastball.

2. The next set of muscles to develop is the core muscles of the midsection. Doing fast hip turns while holding a weighted object are good. Gradual increases in the amount of weight held will develop this core strength. Old fashioned sit ups or any variation of those are beneficial too.

3. Most of the time we think of running exercises only for running speed. However, working on fast crossover steps and explosive first moves of the lower body are just as important for hitting power and throwing speed. Much power is generated by the muscles around the thighs and rear end. Using these muscles with explosive movements will help. Working on explosive crossover steps will develop fast hip rotation for both the hitter and pitcher.

4. Old-fashioned pushups are still great strengthening tools that are good for any and all ages. They will help develop the bigger muscles around the chest and shoulders. Performing different variations like hands wide, hands together and finger tip push ups will work on different muscles.

5. Finally, doing lunges and knee bends will help develop the leg and rear end muscles, which are a major source of power for both a hitter and pitcher.

After a few weeks of this conditioning and continued work on the fundamentals, players will notice the difference with increased bat and arm speed. Working to be bigger, stronger, faster and fundamentally sound will allow players to reach their full potential, without future regret of what they might have done differently.

Former major league baseball player, Jack Perconte gives baseball hitting tips and batting practice advice for ballplayers of all ages. His baseball playing lessons, books and advice can be found at http://www.baseballhittinglessons.com/baseball Jack is the author of two books, The Making of a Hitter and Raising an Athlete - his positive parenting advice and books can be found at http://positiveparentinginsports.com

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Baseball Speed - The 60 Yard Dash is Different Than Stealing Second Base

BaseballCoachingDigest.com

By Thurman Hendrix

Although it is very obvious that running a 60 yard dash is different from attempting to steal second base, I often wonder if players understand the differences between the two. Actually, based on my experience with training baseball players to improve their speed, I am fairly confident that most do understand the differences, but fail to make any changes in their strategy when it comes to running their 60 yard dash.

Although every scout or coach may assess the 60 yard dash utilizing different rules, the following are the most popular:


The runner must start in a traditional steal-start position.
The time will begin based on when the runner makes their first movement.

Therefore, it is usually understood that the total distance between a 60 yard dash (180 feet) and stealing second base (under 90 feet after taking a lead-off) is different. However, the most important thing to understand is that you cannot get picked-off when running a 60 yard dash and the only thing that you'll need to worry about is running forward (to your right) and not backwards (to your left).

Even though the rules of a 60 say that players must start in a traditional steal-start stance, they do not say exactly what that entails. The only thing that distinguishes a baseball start from, say a track start, is that in baseball the player starts sideways to where they are running (second base). The player uses this type of start because in a game they have to be prepared to move in either direction. Therefore, in a 60 yard dash, as long as the runner starts sideways to where they are asked to go, they will most likely resemble a traditional baseball start and usually will not be called out for cheating.

With that being said, here are a few changes that should be incorporated into your 60 yard dash start:


The front (right) foot should be pulled back so that the back foot is able to move directly towards the target and not have to go around the front foot.
The front (right) toes should be turned out more so that the runner could push-off immediately and not have to turn it any more upon first movement, wasting valuable time.
The arms should be switched so that the right arm is loaded and ready to fire.

Remember, in a 60 yard dash time usually starts on your first movement. Therefore, you should immediately cover ground and eliminate any movement that simply gets you ready to run.

To learn how to improve your 60 yard dash and baseball specific speed visit: http://www.60yarddash.com

Thurman Hendrix is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and specializes in training athletes. As a former pro baseball player he will help you increase speed in a very short amount of time.

This article may be published on your web sites or other electronic publications assuming it is used in its entirety. The resource box, copyright info, and all references must also be included and all hyperlinks must be HTML clickable.

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Advanced Core Strength Techniques for Baseball Players

Advanced Core Strength Techniques for Baseball Players

By Cj Brooks

One of the most crucial aspects of improving your overall performance if you're a baseball player is core strength training. Advanced core strength techniques will help you improve your overall balance, as well as reduce the chances of getting an injury while swinging, pitching, and throwing. These advanced core strength training tips can help you to become a great power hitter and help you to stay healthy and have a long lasting career.

Advanced core strength work outs are also beneficial for improving a person's throwing or pitching ability. Strengthening your core isn't just about being a power hitter, but about achieving an overall balance and improvement in all of the skills you use on the field. All of the skills and muscle movements involved in the game of baseball start in your midsection, which is your core. If you don't have flexibility and strength in your abdominal muscles, your performance will be poor, and you may end up riding the bench.

The core consists of all the muscles that make up your abdomen and lower back. This particular group of muscles works together to help stabilize your body and help in the transferring of power from the legs to your upper body, and from your upper body back down to your legs. Advanced core strength exercises specifically target these groups of muscles and work to increase their strength, power, and efficiency.

One great advanced core strength exercise that will help you build some serious muscle is the deadlift. Doing deadlifts will help increase the strength in your lower back and will help you prevent injuries to that specific muscle group. These advanced core strength techniques will allow you to get maximum results, but should be done carefully. If these techniques aren't done properly you can end up getting injured or cause any number of different problems and aggravations.

Another great advanced core strength technique is the lunge. Most people tend to think of the lunge as strictly a leg exercise, but this misses the fact that the lunge is a movement that when done perfectly, requires a lot of co-ordination and use from the trunk and core muscles area. There are a number of different variations of the lunge that can be performed which will really work your core.

A great way to develop solid core strength is to do bicycle crunches. This advanced core strength technique is great for working out and strengthening the rectus abdominus and the internal and external obliques. These exercises are great because they are very effective and easy to do. By implementing these into your abdominal workout you're sure to gain a strong midsection.

If you're planning a long lasting career in baseball, then placing emphasis on gaining core strength should be one of your top priorities. By putting together an advanced core strength training program you'll become a more effective player and also prolong your career by avoiding injuries.

C.J. Brooks is a sports training consultant who writes articles dedicated to improving the performance of today's recreational league athlete. C.J. has trained athletes in league preparation for sports such as baseball, basketball, softball, soccer and football in order to transform their weaknesses into strengths. C.J. also offers online consultation which includes personalized sports-specific training and nutrition plans.

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