Weightlifting and Weight Loss Question

[glutenberg]

I'm trying to drop weight and build up some muscle mass for tennis endurance as I'm trying to get back into tournament play but I've found that when I lift weights (following the advice from previous threads) that my movements become significantly restricted. I don't know if it's because my arms are heavier and thus my swing is slower or if the extra mass is deterring the full motion needed for a complete swing but I've always run into this issue in the past.

Anyone who's active in tennis or other sports have advice for this? Do I need to just cut out more from my diet to drop weight faster?

 

[TheBiggmann]

Do you play tennis right after you lift weights? If so that makes it tough just because of the general fatigue from weight lifting. If you must play right after weight lifting try getting some flex bands and stretching out really well afterwards because when you lift your muscles contract. Also, if you just want to build up endurance and don't want to turn into Sylvester Stallone, go with lighter weights for reps of no less than ten instead of heavier weights for less reps.

 

[Ricemarine]

I don't really know... All I know is that I cut back from lifting weights, and I fell from 140 lbs to ~128 lbs, and I still have the same power and serve strength as before... It's really all in your mechanics...

 

[sthaznpride17]

I have the same problem, ever since i started lifting more regularly, i feel my forehand raquet speed has dropped considerably, I feel slower, just like you glutenberg. It might just be that our mechanics are weak, because one of my good freinds is incredibly ripped yet he can move very well too.

 

[Ctrackstar126]

Well you also got to realize that it takes time to get used to weight training. Your muscles arent fully recovered so when you go to play tennis its more that your muscles are still tired from weight training.

I do track and we usually weight lifted after practice. Its hard to do mechanical stuff such as starts, long jump or hurdles if your muscles are broken down from weightlifting. Especially if you are just starting out in it.

 

[glutenberg]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
I don't really know... All I know is that I cut back from lifting weights, and I fell from 140 lbs to ~128 lbs, and I still have the same power and serve strength as before... It's really all in your mechanics...

It's not so much for power and pace that I'm trying to get fit but for speed and endurance. I'll try out the lighter weights with higher reps and see how that goes.

I've read that Agassi lifted pretty heavily towards the end of his career and I wonder what his regiment was like.