Well I have been lifting weights for a little over a month now. I have been just because I want to look better, and not neccessarily get real buff (not that I really can, with my body type), just get more cut, more of a physique. Anyways, I have been afraid ever since I have started that it might mess my bowling up over time. Yes, I know it will make me stronger and can make me start to throw the ball harder without really knowing it. But does anyone really know of any other problems weightlifting can mess up your bowling game? Are there any ways to prevent them? I really dont want to affect my game. Thank you.
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B-Car

I've been lifting for a long time, but only been bowling for about a year now.  A couple issues I've noticed is that it can hinder a free armswing a little, and it can affect your timing.  What I mean by the second point is that I feel alot different on days that I lift legs and back then when I lift chest and shoulders, and I know that impacts my timing somewhat.  What I do is try to practice on days I lift sometimes, to get that feel - what usually happens is that it takes a little longer for me to warmup and then I'm fine.  Definitely stick with lifting, though - it is worth it.

Yeah, I agree, lighter weights with volume of sets and reps in the range of 8 to 10 tend to make me get big!

Reps in the range of 4 to 6 make me strong and big and not very cut.

Real light weights with sets in the 12 to 15 area leave me more defined and not as big, but if combined with lots of sets, well big too!

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS However, I have found that a strong lower back and good strong legs have been an aid to bowling, strong shoulders and arms without a lot of back width are not bad either.  When I work out my back for width, lat pulldowns etc.  I do find difficulty in a free armswing.
PPS Dr. Jeff Briggs, has created a bunch of bowling specific workout programs that emphasize the good and deemphasize the bad of working out!
A way to contact him is thru Magic_Carpet(userid) on this site!

With me, every morning it's Up, down, Up, down, Up, down, OK. let's do the other eyelid -- Up, down, Up, down . . .    JohnP

Lifting weights will totally not hurt your game.  The stronger you get actually, the easier it will be to free up your arm swing because your legs will be stronger thus giving you better balance and better leverage.  Those two factors are what inevitably allows you to free up your arm swing and get good rotation on the ball.

For some time now, I've wanted to build a bowling center and either put weights in the locker area, or put an actual gym next door.  My belief is that if bowlers "warm up" by adding to their 10-15 minute practice session by actually stretching out, lifting weights, and doing some cardio, they'll bowl better each night!  I am just talking light stuff here, not like a complete workout.
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Brian
MichiganBowling.com
http://www.MichiganBowling.com

Famous Last Words of a Pot Bowler--"Ok, but this is my last game!"

Michigan Bowler,
 you have touched on a subject I have wondered
about. The idea of exercise and bowling for
health. Fitness centers and bowling in the same
local.People are so much into staying fit these
days.Sure, bowling league is not much of a work
out , but bowling practice can be,all sports require
a degree of fitness to enjoy the game.
 GS

2 questions.

1. what do you want out of weight lifting? healthy or body builder?

2. is bowling going to a major sport in your life?


I am terrible about sticking to a weight lifting schedule. but I have been on so many over the last 15 years that I now know what to do to achieve the result I looking for.

that is where you need to be. a personal trininer that works with bowlers maybe the best help.

but if you want helth and bowling tailor your routines. streching, low impact activities like tai chi,yoga promote flexible long musclse growth that will add to a free swing.

light, high reps for single joint movments. arm curls etc. you don't need to hammer curls 80 lbs. if you don't wan'to grow size avoid muscle fatigue routines. they do build stamina but size as well.

true circiut trainning woth ristence is my favorite. It is hard to do in a GYM for a real benefit in my experiance as Bally's member since 86.

30- 60  sec aerobic (stationary bike, row machine, treadmill, step machines etc..)
30-60 sec anarobic excersise. ( leg press, curls, bench etc..)

with as little time in between as possible.

I am lucky to have a bow flew and a stationary bike at home. it is an incredably workout that just spikes you body. you will think you had an engery drink.

that reminds me I need to take before and after inages and vidoes of my bowling. as I will be using this workout to slim down and become more flexable.

sombody fix that spell checker!!!






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"deserves got nothing to do with it."
-- William Munny

KnightLefty,

 give it I try. I couldn't believe it until I was able to do it properly. I have don circuit training at the health club but it not the same as having the machine close together.

warm up fisrt but I hit the bike at 20 mph or better for 60. then jump on the bowflex for 30 -60 depending on what excersise with about 10 secs inbetween.

really gets the body pumped. I have not checked into the scientific aspects becuse I just don't care to. but I would suspect this methho may reduce or slow down, the build up of lactic acids in the muscles.



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"deserves got nothing to do with it."
-- William Munny