subject: Training For Table Tennis [print this page] As with all sports and physical activities, you are a better player and participant when you are in good health and physical conditioning. Table tennis is no different.
Being physically fit for a game like table tennis may seem pointless, but it will definitely raise you game up to another level. The amount of fitness for a beginner is different that for a more advanced player, but both should condition if they are serious about the sport.
At the beginner level, your amount of physical fitness is not likely to be an important factor in improving your game. You pretty much just need to be able to walk around for a few hours without getting tired.
The biggest limiting factor at this level is your technique and consistency. As a beginner, you and your opponent will likely make a lot of mistakes, which will result in very short rallies.
This means you probably do not need to condition for endurance since the rallies will not last very long or be rigorous enough to wear you down. The exception of course would be if you tried to play for several hours straight.
Though being fit will not likely affect the level of your play that much as a beginner, it certainly will not hurt your game in any way. Just know that you will not be at an advantage.
At the intermediate level, physical fitness starts to become a more important factor because you and your opponent now have better technique and consistency. Footwork starts to become more important since your opponents are starting to place the ball in hard to reach locations.
This means you have to try harder and the game tends to become more physically demanding as you move around. The use of better strokes and the fact that you hit the ball harder more often requires you to build strength and power as well.
Be aware that even at this level some players can compensate for lack of fitness by having better technique or tactics. Naturally though, it is better to be fit since you will play better for longer periods of time.
Intermediate players should be getting most of their fitness work from playing table tennis, in order to make the best use of their time. But for those times when you cannot find a partner, doing some specific activities to improve your aerobic fitness and strength will be of benefit too.
At the advanced level, physical fitness is very important. Almost all of your opponents will have good technique and tactics, so being conditioned will give you the edge on the competition.
Anaerobic exercise is needed during strenuous counter-looping or loop to chop rallies. Aerobic exercise is required to keep up the intensity over a full rally match, which can last up to an hour.
Advanced players will be combining on the table work with off the table training in order to raise their fitness to the necessary level. A player who intelligently uses off the table training can use his time more efficiently and get an edge over someone who only plays table tennis.
One activity is walking or jogging. Believe it or not, taking a brisk walk around you neighborhood can actually help you get into shape.
First of all, it is low impact, so it is a great activity for people with aching joints or sore muscles. Walking also gets the blood pumping around the body, helping it recover.
It also burns off some calories and helps you drop some weight. Jogging is also a good cardio workout that helps you increase endurance, speed, and muscle mass.
Jogging will toughen up the legs for table tennis and help you work on faster footwork for maneuvering around the table. You can also try cycling, which is a great way to work out your legs without putting impact on the joints.
The great thing about bikes is that they also help you get around pretty fast. If you do not have a chink of time to work out, you can just ride your bike to work and use that as your exercise for the day.
You can also get a stationary bike for your home or office. This allows you to watch television, talk on the phone, or work on your laptop while getting in some good cardio exercise.
