Bowling...the unfittest sport out there

[AdrianS]

His name is actually Tyrone'muggsy'Bouges, all 5-3 and 140lb of him. Back on to the topic at hand i'm personally starting to see the benifets of getting fitter. I'm pushing 30 now and i cant just do what i want like i did when i was 21-22 and not expect some penalty as far as my physical condition goes anymore. So far i've dropped from 105kg to 98 with still maybe 10-15kg to go. The sore knee and wrist i get at the end of every major remind me that there is still some work to be done. In my current shape i'm still getting passable results as far as tournaments go but i'm looking at everything to get some more pins. Really it depends on the individual, some of our best ever players weren't exactly fitness freaks but that applies to all sports. Look at Dougie Walters, John Daly etc.. it can be done but guys like them are one in a million. I think all our high level players are at least aware of the issue of fitness and thanks to our best coaches and youngsters being involved in things like High Performance Camps the message can only keep getting to more people due to this increased awareness of what it takes to be a elite player in this sport. Sure, a few beers with your mates still has its part in a tournament weekend, that will probably never change, we're not robots after all.

 

[Levithian]

I'll name some pro's off the top of my head, Brian Himmler, Jason Couch. These guys look like they have a good time after the tourny, but i bet you for my life they can bowl 20 consecutive games better then anyone out here. Why? because thats how they have trained their bodies.
Later Da Cowman!

Can we add Jason Hurd to the List Got one of the meanest shots on the tour, pitty about that consistancy thing :lol:

 

[Sinisterx8]

Just because your big doesnt mean your not fit does it???? Well i dont think so any way......And who put andrew frawley in this class... Man id love to have his build to help me roll a ball down a lane...sure hes a big boy that kind of happens when your about 6 ft 4
But there are to many stereo types in sport and it sux...In my opinion its all about the game and its a game that EVERYONE can enjoy.. I hear a lot of posts on here ( not necisarrilly whinging) about how bowling is not as popular...The post by reg is discrimination pure and simple..Every one should be able to get a go

 

[cookie]

I'd have to agree with the direction AdrianS is going in this topic. All I'm saying is that I'd love to see at the top levels a little more commitment to bowling in regards to it being a sport. Its fun to bowl league weekly and have a beer or two maybe before and after. But the same sort of difference between your local cricket team and say state level is what I think needs attention. It should never ever matter what you look like. Just my opinion.

 

[Levithian]

So you're saying the top percentage of bowlers in this country arent committed enough?

 

[cookie]

I'm not referring to the top 10, 20 or any percent. You're trying to twist my words so I sound negative. That's the last thing I want. Adrian mentioned how he now has to do things to avoid strains and injuries and I'm sure he would have much rathered using preventative measures earlier had it been more common practice. Looks, size, and any other discriminatory aspects aside. I know juniors now get education in mental and physical health in sports. I know many bowlers, who bowl successfully but who don't do fitness type preparation for bowling. I know they last 20 or more games now but imagine the potential. I don't mean to attack anyone with my words. I only hope they are thought provoking or encouraging.

 

[Levithian]

Far from it, you said

All I'm saying is that I'd love to see at the top levels a little more commitment to bowling in regards to it being a sport

I dont know of anyone that competes in the top levels that would not consider this a 'real' sport, i must have just missunderstood. With your example adrian also said he was getting alittle older, while it wasnt so much effecting his game, the recovery time was a problem. It's pretty much that way in all forms of sport. There is a big difference from your local tournament circuit and the super 6 events, bowlers know that if they want to be competitive and maintain that through the year that some sort of physical training is a factor. I can see your point, people have already established that you dont have to be the fittest person in the world to compete in this sport, endless hours on physical conditioning are probably best divided into practise time aswell.

It would be interesting to see what some of the top players in the sport do inbetween majors. Training, Practise, Local Events, Work? I think bowlers are lucky in this sport, on the physical side of things it is more of a specialist physical training (working on certain areas), rather than say intense cardio work so you can go out and run a mile.

 

[Brett Hall]

Fair dinkum. I take offence to that at a personal level. Mate, have you ever cranked a ball? I mean, really given it everything you've got? Every ball for 11 games straight? Not to mention the mental effort you have to put in to concentrate!!! Try it one day, then tell me how much fitness is involved in bowling?

I used to play Aussie Rules, I still umpire it, but I'm too old to play at a junior level anymore. At the end of last season, I played a few reserve grade matches for the local team. I would seriously compare those 11 games cranking to a match of Reserve grade Aussie Rules. Are you gonna try & tell me that an Aussie Rules player can be overweight, unfit & all the rest?

I really think you should maybe broaden your perspective of our sport before you start critiscing those who actually take an active role in the sport. My guess is your a once a week, social bowler that might bowl the occasional local tourney. Because, simply, if you did otherwise, you'd understand the level of fitness & dedication that it actually takes to bowl, & bowl well.

 

[MarkV]

I suspect Reg would make a good fisherman. One of the best examples of trolling I have ever seen. Is Chess regarded as a sport? not a lot of movement there eh!. :lol: