Posted by: Chuck (Chuck10112@gmail.com) on Sat Oct 18 13:58:06 2008

> > Hello,
> >
> > I wanted to know if anyone has used a program with success of building power in swinging. What are the best lifting exercises you can do to get more power in your swing.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Yogi
>
> Yes,
>
> There are many things you can do, what I would not do is just believe in "one" method or who people claim to have the training secret to success.
>
> It takes many years of training to reach your potential. World class athletes such as track and field develop up to 4 year plan to be at their best for that one moment.
>
> You must use weight lifting to develop your full potential. And it doesn't happen overnight, it takes years.
>
> There are some great functional exercises, that create short term results, but it's a good idea to keep them in your routine as you make them more advanced.
>
> Bottom line is, you just have to do the work. You have to be willing to put out the "effort". Once you start exercises consistently and you slack off, you will not feel very good, so you go and exercise and it makes you feel better. You have to be willing to reach that point, and while at first it takes more effort, it does not feel like effort after a certain point.
>
> Don't believe the "hype" of anyone claiming they have the secret. Like anything people are just trying to make money and will lie about anything just to make an easy buck.
>
> Shawn

I agree completely Shawn. There comes a point for anyone who exercises routinely when they feel bad about missing a scheduled workout. But it takes a while before you get to that point.

I strength train to stay in good "general shape" so I don't wear out during the season, but I don't think there are any exercises that REALLY improve batspeed or add 5-10 mph to your batspeed, if you're using proper mechanics. I use to use linear mechanics (arm swinging basically) which required really strong arms to push the bat at the ball, but now that I use rotational mechanics which rely on the hips I realize that arm strength is somewhat pointless when it comes to the baseball swing.

I know I'll get crucified for saying this but I don't think leg strength is all that important either. At least not in terms of static movements like how much someone squats or deadlifts. The baseball swing is a ballistic movement so increasing the potential of static muscle contractions isn't going to increase the intensity of ballistic muscle contractions.

I perform exercises (using that Sparqs training system) that are said to increase the intensity of the impulse that powers the baseball swing. Whether or not these exercises actually work I don't know. But I do know they help me stay in shape so I do them anyway.