Category — Baseball

Baseball has been called a “game of inches” and those few inches can be the difference between winning and losing. In order to gain an edge you have to develop a winning exercise program. Evan Waters at Bodybuilding.com has constructed a fitness regimen for baseball players or those just looking to develop the physique of one.

The program is mostly strength-training based focusing on ways to develop and maintain strength throughout the upper body, lower body, and the core. If you had to choose between those three areas the latter two are the most important in terms of baseball specific moves.  A strong core and lower body allows for more power in hitting and throwing. Mostly every baseball move derives from the core therefore it’s very important to develop that area.

On the field, the program outlines a few drills (30-yard dash, throwing with a weighted ball, and long toss) that will complement your work in the gym.

MensHealth.com reports that using simple equipment like a medicine ball and elastic resistance can increase power in your throwing shoulder. Researchers at the University of Delaware have concluded that doing these exercises for 8 weeks can increase your fastball by 2 mph. 

It may not seem like much but if you’ve ever played baseball you can probably attest that an 88 mph pitch is a little easier to hit that a 90 mph one.

Plus, the exercises will strengthen your rotator cuff and make you less prone to shoulder injuries.