Do push ups help swing heavy rackets?

[rb120134]

Hi,
I overheard someone at my club wo gave his pro staff 90 to a youngster and said " if you are strong enough". Does swinging a heavy racket depens on your muscle strengt in you arm? can push ups help you to swing heavier rackets more easily? How was sampras able to swing an almost 400 gram heavy racket? Is that pure strenght of his muscles in his arm?

 

[Backhanded Compliment]

no. curls etc with 10 lb weights are good though. its more about leg fitness/agility in general because you have to be in position to swing a heavy bat.

 

[fuzz nation]

Agree that swinging a hefty racquet is more about proper (early) setup and swing timing than raw strength. A "strong" player is often somebody with efficient stroke preparation and smooth technique, not extra muscle. I learned this years ago while watching the #1 12-year-old in the world beat up on local teaching pros and college players over the course of a summer. Little dude, huge game!

That being said, doing some pushups along with other things to build a little more strength and endurance makes it easier to swing a racquet over and over again without risking strain and injury. Pretty much everybody can swing even a heavy racquet good and hard... once. Doing it repeatedly when also scurrying around the court is where it can become strenuous.

 

[B Cubed]

Upper shoulders for swinging helps, but like fuzz nation said, prep and set up is key. Items like good core for trunk rotation are crucial.

 

[GBplayer]

Lots of gardening, hours of digging , hoeing , sweeping and using secateurs, also very therapeutic and excellent organic vegetables and flowers as a bonus . Toughens up the hands like leather if you don't use gloves , so prevents blisters as well .

 

[sma1001]

Lots of gardening

My garden is still frozen! It's chilly up here in the north of Scotland... Besides, my wife does the gardening and i wouldn't want to upset her any more than it already does when my practice serves knock the heads off her flowers...

 

[joohan]

Strength in tennis comes from legs first and rotational movement second(hips, torso, shoulders) - i.e. uncoiling. If you have a proper core to rotate around as a bonus, it does not get much better than that. Plus it's only logical that if you want to uncoil, you have to coil first - so proper technique(unit turns etc...) is the third thing that provides/enables power. Push-ups strengthen the core too, if you do them proper, but there are much better ways to do it.

 

[Lance L]

Full body fitness will certainly help, but I think a lot of it is just what folks have gotten used to.
My first "real" racquet, in high school, was a Max200G, which was what, 12.75, 13oz. No one would have thought it was particularly heavy.
There are limits, of course. I doubt if an 18 oz racquet would be viable, but if we only had access to 12 oz racquets and up, in 5 years everyone would be fine with that.
The problem, I think, is that we just intuitivly think that lighter is going to be better. It feels easier to swing, feels better even if it isn't.

 

[Shroud]

Having played with 16oz rackets and being old and out of shape, I can tell you strength has little to do with it. Its technique and using the core/ legs to do most of the work. Also if you have a heavier racket, you can let gravity do a lot of the work if you start with a high takeback.

Here is a vid that might help:

 

[WYK]

My first half dozen or so rackets were all above twelve ounces, with at least one heavier than thirteen, all before I was a teenager. My mother would tell you to go out and spend more time playing tennis, and less time looking like a wussy on the internet.

 

[prjacobs]

Agree with Shroud, above. Tennis, as the saying goes, is 90% legs.

 

[bigdaddyps]

Give Jose Canseco a holla. He can send you out a shipment of his secret sauce. You will be tearing the cover off the balls. Your other balls will shrink considerably however.

 

[FedLIKEnot]

I agree with what everyone has said for me I find I can find easy power when I am both getting my footwork right and making sure I have a smooth and fluid unit turn using my core and hips.

 

[torpantennis]

Try swinging kettlebell, you'll learn that its all about legs and somewhat about core. Upper body doesn't play a role. Similar is true of heavy racquets.

 

[Winners or Errors]

It's all core and legs. And it's not about strength, it's about endurance and flexibility. Look at tennis players. Do you see anyone "ripped" with an enormous upper body? There aren't any for a reason.

 

[tacotanium]

Hi,
I overheard someone at my club wo gave his pro staff 90 to a youngster and said " if you are strong enough".

What a co ck, he probably thought he was Roger when he said that.

 

[Anton]

Do push ups help swing heavy rackets?

No, but squats do.

 

[Chotobaka]

Try swinging kettlebell, you'll learn that its all about legs and somewhat about core. Upper body doesn't play a role. Similar is true of heavy racquets.

High intensity interval routines based on kettlebell swings are among the best functional exercises on the planet. Adding some planks during the "rest" periods kicks it up a notch or two.

 

[5point5]

Actually, lighter rackets require more strength as you have to accelerate faster to make up for the lost mass.

Just look at Nadal and Verdasco..

 

[supineAnimation]

High intensity interval routines based on kettlebell swings are among the best functional exercises on the planet. Adding some planks during the "rest" periods kicks it up a notch or two.

Throwing a bouncing medicine ball is a great way to simulate the release of the energy from the kinetic chain into the force of the swing, too.

Once you build up to a heavier ball (I throw a 15lb ball now, but I started at 6 and if you're new to it you wanna start with a sensible weight to be safe) you can't help but feel how much the legs, butt and core are the engine and keeping the arms and shoulders loose facilitates a greater release of energy. Plus, it's a great way to work on the timing of each section of the kinetic chain because if you're not firing in the right order or timing, you feel it.

 

[Chotobaka]

Throwing a bouncing medicine ball is a great way to simulate the release of the energy from the kinetic chain into the force of the swing, too.

Once you build up to a heavier ball (I throw a 15lb ball now, but I started at 6 and if you're new to it you wanna start with a sensible weight to be safe) you can't help but feel how much the legs, butt and core are the engine and keeping the arms and shoulders loose facilitates a greater release of energy. Plus, it's a great way to work on the timing of each section of the kinetic chain because if you're not firing in the right order or timing, you feel it.

Yeah, medicine balls are another terrific old school approach to fitness. There are a ton of really good core and lower body exercises that can be done with medicine balls. One of my favorite compound exercises uses "slam" medicine balls (built to withstand a lot of wear and tear) and do modified "wood choppers" which involve lifting the ball overhead from a squat position, starting with the ball on the ground, before forcefully slamming the ball down on the ground.

I have used medicine balls to reinforce core rotation with students. They are also a great tool for teaching the feel of engaging the lower body in the serve -- hold the ball chest-high with both hands, then squat down and throw the ball upwards as high as possible while thrusting up with the legs. Follow up immediately with a serve. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

A few medicine balls and kettlebells, a set of adjustable dumb bells and a bench make for a pretty infinite number of full body workouts.

 

[14OuncesStrung]

Lots of gardening, hours of digging , hoeing , sweeping and using secateurs, also very therapeutic and excellent organic vegetables and flowers as a bonus . Toughens up the hands like leather if you don't use gloves , so prevents blisters as well .

You don't want leathery skin if you want to have good feel and play all the touch shots (drop shot, angled chip, drop volley etc).

Anyway, any strength training that works the upper body & core will help you swing a heavy racquet for longer.
Whether it be bench press, shoulder press, lateral pulldown, seated row, pec deck, leg lifts or push ups.
Stay away from the bicep curls, they're only for bodybuilding meatheads.

 

[KFwinds]

As usual I'm late to the party so I can only pile on - as most have already said either directly or alluded to, swinging a heavier stick has almost nothing to do with arm strength and everything to do with core and lower body strength as well as footwork and early preparation.

The medicine ball workouts mentioned above are all good for this as well as resistance bands

 

[Chotobaka]

My garden is still frozen! It's chilly up here in the north of Scotland... Besides, my wife does the gardening and i wouldn't want to upset her any more than it already does when my practice serves knock the heads off her flowers...

Regular uncorking of Ardbeg and Laphroaig and performing sets of "Islay curls" would be a good winter regimen in your neck of the woods.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

Even the heaviest tennis racquets are not really that heavy when we are talking about muscles. They all weigh far less than 1 pound. The difference between a heavy and light racquet is only, what, 1 ounce? Not a big deal compared to lifting weights, for example. However, when you are trying to generate racquet head speed that 1 ounce can be significant. Most people notice it on the serve. Many rec players can pound a flat first serve with a heavy racquet, but cannot generate enough RHS to hit an effective kick serve. And although they get extra power from the weight, they also lack significant topspin on ground strokes. Also, as your coached mentioned, when you play better players that can rush you, the lack of maneuverability will be compensated by arming the ball which leads to injury.

I'll put it like this. There are certain tale-tell signs that I look for before a match even starts to see how things are going to go. When I see my opponent pull an RF97 out of his bag, I get a big smile on my face.

 

[14OuncesStrung]

I'll put it like this. There are certain tale-tell signs that I look for before a match even starts to see how things are going to go. When I see my opponent pull an RF97 out of his bag, I get a big smile on my face.

Your opponent probably has an even bigger smile when he grabs his racquet. Respect your opponent.

 

[Ihatetennis]

As usual I'm late to the party so I can only pile on - as most have already said either directly or alluded to, swinging a heavier stick has almost nothing to do with arm strength and everything to do with core and lower body strength as well as footwork and early preparation.

The medicine ball workouts mentioned above are all good for this as well as resistance bands

does have to do with wrist strength and forearm strength.

I have to work out my left arm so I can swing my backhand better, I can hit forehand(left handed) but my wrist hurts from the weight laggin back.

My racket is 360g

I work out in the gym so I can swing faster, I'm far from bulky, but working out makes a smooth swing even stronger.

 

[Moveforwardalways]

Your opponent probably has an even bigger smile when he grabs his racquet. Respect your opponent.

Signs that I am going to win the match, noticed even before warm ups...

1) Opponent plays with RF97 (other heavy racquets are ok, but this one is just too typical and poser-ish)

2) Opponent has unusual amount of brand name gear

3) Opponent wears Rafa bull or Federer RF logo clothing

4) Opponent has bag tags from prior winning seasons on display in plain sight

5) Opponent wears a head sweat band, even better for me if band is a bright color


Signs this is going to be a tough match, better bring my A game...

1) Opponent shows up with no bag - just 2 non-Babolat non-pro autographed racquets, water, and maybe a towel

2) Opponent uses Yonex racquet

3) Opponent wears non-descript clothing

4) Opponent talks non-tennis during pre-match and you'd have to look up online what his record is (no bag tags)

5) Opponent lacks sweat bands, gloves, watches, jewelry, or other accessories


Sorry man, every seasoned tennis player knows these unwritten rules.

 

[KineticChain]

i typically boost my fdtl by 5600 rpm after i do 10 pushups. rule of thumb is 1 push up = 1000 rpm on ur forehand

 

[torpantennis]

Regular uncorking of Ardbeg and Laphroaig and performing sets of "Islay curls" would be a good winter regimen in your neck of the woods.

Add in Lagavulin and you got my top 3 brands on the planet.

 

[TennisHound]

Actually broccoli and spinach will help you swing a heavy racquet, just like reading, writing, and arithmetic will help you in school.

 

[Power Player]

Looks like buckethead is back on the forums.

 

[14OuncesStrung]

Actually broccoli and spinach will help you swing a heavy racquet, just like reading, writing, and arithmetic will help you in school.

No, No, NO!!!!!
You need this!!!!

 

[Bender]

Better off doing squats and deadlifts than push-ups. It's your core that provides a huge percentage of power in all your groundstrokes, and not your triceps, pecs, or upper body in general. Biceps are quite important though, and even more so if you hit reverse forehands from time to time.

 

[Chotobaka]

Add in Lagavulin and you got my top 3 brands on the planet.

You bet! Lagavulin 16 is definitely in my Islay whisky rotation.

 

[Chotobaka]

Double...

 

[Chotobaka]

Triple... System got really hung up. Or was it the peat water?

 

[sma1001]

Hip flask for the inbetween sets warm up...

 

[Dolgopolov85]

To put things in perspective as a weak 12 year old asthmatic I used to swing a 2 kg wooden cricket bat, get it upto or even higher than my shoulder and move it across to hit the pull shot. So, no, tennis racquets aren't that heavy. A heavy racquet may be more sluggish to make a shot with when you have limited time but it doesn't take that much strength to wield.

 

[junior74]

Old dudes can swing heavy racquets because they learned how to play with 14 oz woodies. Schaaaa-wing!

 

[movdqa]

I recall that hitting session that Matt had with a player in the top 1,000 ATP and he was tall and skinny as a rake at 150 pounds. He didn't look particularly muscular but was good enough to be a great player. I don't know what his racquet weighed but it probably didn't matter that much, at least compared to most on these boards.

I play with heavy racquets and I do pushups but I also do lots of other strength-training exercises but I don't really do them for tennis - just for overall health and quality of life. My feeling is that pushups don't really help with heavy racquets. I have some old-school racquets from 13-15 ounces and I wasn't particularly strong in high-school or college but had no trouble swinging those frames.

 

[supineAnimation]

Yeah, medicine balls are another terrific old school approach to fitness. There are a ton of really good core and lower body exercises that can be done with medicine balls. One of my favorite compound exercises uses "slam" medicine balls (built to withstand a lot of wear and tear) and do modified "wood choppers" which involve lifting the ball overhead from a squat position, starting with the ball on the ground, before forcefully slamming the ball down on the ground.

I have used medicine balls to reinforce core rotation with students. They are also a great tool for teaching the feel of engaging the lower body in the serve -- hold the ball chest-high with both hands, then squat down and throw the ball upwards as high as possible while thrusting up with the legs. Follow up immediately with a serve. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

A few medicine balls and kettlebells, a set of adjustable dumb bells and a bench make for a pretty infinite number of full body workouts.

Yeah, I don't belong to a gym and whenever asks me why I always say, "because for what you pay for 5 months for a gym membership you can buy a few pieces of inexpensive equipment and get just as good a workout." A bouncing medicine ball, an iron gym, a bosu, a balance ball, an ab carver, and resistance bands are all I use.

 

[MisterP]

Better off doing squats and deadlifts than push-ups. It's your core that provides a huge percentage of power in all your groundstrokes, and not your triceps, pecs, or upper body in general. Biceps are quite important though, and even more so if you hit reverse forehands from time to time.

Go hold a plank position for 120 seconds and then tell me a pushup doesn't engage your core.