Undefeated season or bust! ~ Summer Training

[Kenny022593]

Originally Posted by floridatennisdude

So, it seems that you are devoting a lot of time to getting stronger. Is this at the encouragement of a coach, trainer, or just something you want to do?

I only ask because your workouts are so opposite of what I do. I do more high rep, low weight to exhaustion stuff and compliment it with bands, Hi Intensity cardio, and yoga. What is your strength training philosophy?

It is more just for me. When I was in 8th grade I weighed 228lbs at my heaviest. I dropped down to 155 and ever since then I have been floating around 162-167. Always pretty weak. It doesn't help that I am tall and lanky. I just want to get stronger and bigger. My goal is to hit 195~ and then drop back down to 180.

My coach actually doesn't like lifting. When I got there in the fall she told me to stop lifting because lifting "ruins flexibility." I figure, if I train flexibility and stretch after hitting and lifting then I will be fine.

[floridatennisdude]

Originally Posted by Kenny022593

It is more just for me. When I was in 8th grade I weighed 228lbs at my heaviest. I dropped down to 155 and ever since then I have been floating around 162-167. Always pretty weak. It doesn't help that I am tall and lanky. I just want to get stronger and bigger. My goal is to hit 195~ and then drop back down to 180.

My coach actually doesn't like lifting. When I got there in the fall she told me to stop lifting because lifting "ruins flexibility." I figure, if I train flexibility and stretch after hitting and lifting then I will be fine.

I would disagree that lifting "ruins flexibility". Not working on flexibility "ruins flexibility" in my book.

If you are serious about your tennis, I'd mix in a yoga routine once a week. It has paid dividends for me. Your school's rec center might do a free class or you can find some simple workouts online. If I had college to do all over again, I would totally have done yoga at the rec center. Always cool to see flexible women.

[USERNAME]

Lifting ruins flexibility, HA! What a load of crap. I lift whatever I can do for 10-14 reps during the season for chest, back, bis, tris, and shoulders, plus whatever I can push 18-20 times for legs. The key is to find the right weight so you won't tear yourself up doing strong lifts!
And good for you OP on losing the weight and still wanting to better yourself, I admire people that have it in them to make a change.

[floridatennisdude]

Originally Posted by USERNAME

Lifting ruins flexibility, HA! What a load of crap. I lift whatever I can do for 10-14 reps during the season for chest, back, bis, tris, and shoulders, plus whatever I can push 18-20 times for legs. The key is to find the right weight so you won't tear yourself up doing strong lifts!
And good for you OP on losing the weight and still wanting to better yourself, I admire people that have it in them to make a change.

I wouldn't say it's a "load of crap". It's no mystery that bodybuilders aren't the most flexible folks in the world. Your workout regime sounds like it encourages higher rep and leaner muscle mass. The OP is trying to continuously go for PRs. That could harm flexibility. That's why I think he needs to balance his workouts with some yoga types of workouts.

[Kenny022593]

I figure I will post now instead of after I hit today since I didn't post yesterday.

I hit the gym today and busted out a 155x5x3 back squat. Felt good. The one thing that I noticed today is that I am still not using my right leg as much as my left. It is just a mental thing I guess and something I will have to work on. I upped my bench weight to 140, still weak but I don't care. I did 5 reps, 4 reps and then 2 reps . I am progressing though so hopefully within two more tries I can hit 140x5x3. I was super tired today in the gym, though. I am going to try and get some more sleep and go from there.

Now, yesterday I hit with my friend who is going to be a sophomore in HS. He played first doubles and fourth singles on my old HS team this year. I see a lot of myself in him. He has that same drive that I did at his age and he is basically playing the same positions. His first year on the team he played first exhibition, and this year he played what I said above. The same thing I did, but he is doing it a year ahead of me. I want to help him get better and I want him to beat the kid who is playing first right now because in all honesty, the current #1 doesn't deserve it.

The only problem is that my friend's serve is fairly weak and his volleys are very weak, but he is still growing so the serve should come in. He has a solid ground game and I hope that over the summer if he takes lessons, they will fix his volleys.

We played 2 sets, though and it went really well. For both of us. I started out really shaky with a decent amount of double faults and stupid missed first volleys, but I got it together. I finally found my backhand again and I hope it sticks. I was also hitting flat serves, and yes I go full out against my opponents even if they are lower level, pretty damn well which is something that I never do. Movement is getting that and I am becoming more comfortable reaching and lunging and pushing for that extra step to the ball. My ankle brace is breaking though and I will need to get a new one. Is ASO the best bet, or is there a cheaper brand that I can go for? I am currently using an aircast.

http://www.bormed.com/images/airsport2.jpg

[floridatennisdude]

^^^im partial to Active Ankle, but the ASO is a good product.

I'd go with what your doctor recommends and not skimp because of price. It's your body you are talking about. It's worth a few extra bucks.

[USERNAME]

Originally Posted by floridatennisdude

I wouldn't say it's a "load of crap". It's no mystery that bodybuilders aren't the most flexible folks in the world. Your workout regime sounds like it encourages higher rep and leaner muscle mass. The OP is trying to continuously go for PRs. That could harm flexibility. That's why I think he needs to balance his workouts with some yoga types of workouts.

Off season I bump down to 8-10 reps and I still stay flexible after putting on a bit of size and a good amount of strength. I think when you start stronglifts you'll lose a noticeable amount of flexibility but staying at the mid-rep range will give ya great results in all departments.

[floridatennisdude]

Originally Posted by USERNAME

Off season I bump down to 8-10 reps and I still stay flexible after putting on a bit of size and a good amount of strength. I think when you start stronglifts you'll lose a noticeable amount of flexibility but staying at the mid-rep range will give ya great results in all departments.

You bump down to 8-10 reps in the off season? Your legs must be totally dead by the end of a season.

[USERNAME]

Originally Posted by floridatennisdude

You bump down to 8-10 reps in the off season? Your legs must be totally dead by the end of a season.

Wow. 8-10 reps with heavier weight brah... Gotta get my beach body back, skinny as hell after the season. And no my legs are quite fine.