Lighter racquets stress forearms more?

2nd Serve Ace

Hall of Fame
Just recently switched from a 360 gram setup to a 340 one and am super happy with the change. :) But if I do an intense 30 minute session on the wall, my forearm muscles are totally on fire!

I'm under the assumption that the heavy frame was not allowing me to use my wrist properly and therefore my forearm muscles aren't used to activating well on a modern FH.

I know its good to play with a heavy stick and all, but you need to make sure technique isn't suffering from this weight, such that it doesn't impede a solid, complete follow through.
 

SystemicAnomaly

Bionic Poster
340 grams hardly constitute a light racket. To my mind, a light racket is one that weighs less than 300 grams & has a low swingweight. Tons of rec players are using rackets below 290g
 

fuzz nation

G.O.A.T.
Just recently switched from a 360 gram setup to a 340 one and am super happy with the change. :) But if I do an intense 30 minute session on the wall, my forearm muscles are totally on fire!

I'm under the assumption that the heavy frame was not allowing me to use my wrist properly and therefore my forearm muscles aren't used to activating well on a modern FH.

I know its good to play with a heavy stick and all, but you need to make sure technique isn't suffering from this weight, such that it doesn't impede a solid, complete follow through.
The weights of those racquets alone don't tell much of a story without also noting their balance. The lighter racquet can easily be a more cumbersome, sluggish player that can trick you into steering the racquet to the ball with an overactive forearm if that lighter frame is significantly less head-light (HL) than the heavier one.

A lighter racquet with too much HL balance for its particular weight can feel twitchy and unpredictable - I've been there. But heavy frames can have that feeling that we're swinging them underwater if they only have moderate HL balance.

Try comparing the two racquets and if the 340g frame is significantly less HL than the 360g rig, put some weight on (or maybe in) your handle to get some help. I've done this by putting 1/2" lead tape on top of my replacement grip and then covering that with an overgrip. It's' perfectly safe like that, it stays put just fine, and if it doesn't help you out, it's easy enough to peel it off and go back to your stock layout.

In terms of your swing mechanics, technique, yaddah-yaddah, I strongly recommend that you avoid trying to "use your wrist" to help with propelling your racquet through the ball. It should be loose and relatively passive for hitting your serves and strokes, but a bit more firm for when you're hitting volleys or something like a slice backhand. Let your wrist work as more of a fluid linkage between your racquet and the primary drivers for your shots; your core and your legs.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Yeah, heavier racket hits THRU the ball, while lighter racket allows the ball to push the racket around.
That why light head, but high weight is preferred by the experienced.
 

BlueB

Legend
Just recently switched from a 360 gram setup to a 340 one and am super happy with the change. :) But if I do an intense 30 minute session on the wall, my forearm muscles are totally on fire!

I'm under the assumption that the heavy frame was not allowing me to use my wrist properly and therefore my forearm muscles aren't used to activating well on a modern FH.

I know its good to play with a heavy stick and all, but you need to make sure technique isn't suffering from this weight, such that it doesn't impede a solid, complete follow through.
You are actually not supposed to activate the forearm muscles.
It is more likely that the weight difference is causing you some timing issues, then being corrected by too much muscle use.
 

2nd Serve Ace

Hall of Fame
Yeah, and hitting on a wall is not something I like to do much. Always seem to overswing to try and get the ball back in one bounce.
 
I think its just key to stay loose and avoid gripping it too tight or muscling the ball too much which people tend to want to do with lighter racquets.
 

Humbi_HTX

Semi-Pro
It is probably more of a timing issue like others addressed, and your forearm is adjusting to the weight and swing speed.

I have had the same feeling when I practice with either my c10pro (340g strung) or PStorm Team (310g strung) when my main frame is a PK 5G (325g strung)
 

Harry_Wild

G.O.A.T.
But if I do an intense 30 minute session on the wall, my forearm muscles are totally on fire!
Better to do it on a court with a ball machine feeding the balls then hitting on a wall. Wall throws off your footwork and stroke mechanics that one is trying to home to be consistent and with accurate to direct the ball. I never used the wall after 10-11 years of age. Got stick of chasing the ball when I miss!:-D
 
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