Football

[Italian44]

Hey...Im a senior in high school who is looking to play football in college. I played 2 years already, my first year as a tight end, and my second year as a defensive tackle. I used to weigh 197 pounds, but I decided to go on the Atkins, and I lost 43 pounds, and now weigh 155 pounds. I am only 5'5. In September, i started working out every other day, because I am looking to get built so I can play football next year. I am looking into Division 3 and Division 2 colleges, not Division 1. I dont go to a gym, because I dont drive, but I DO buy Met-Rx products every week, and I take drinks and bars to school for lunch, along with tuna, and yogurt for protein. In the morning, i have a Soy Protein drink, and on days I workout, i have Met-Rx Ultra, which is a combination of 40g of protein, 5g of creatine, and 2g of glutamine. On days that i dont workout, i take Met-rx Protein Plus, which is 46g per serving. I usually get around 180g of protein a day. The only problem is, i dont go to a gym, so I workout at home. I have a crossbar and dumbells. I usually do around 70 push ups, and lift the heavy crossbars, and light dumbells. Im only working my arms, chest, and shoulders. But every day, i do cardio on my exercise bike for 25 minutes while playing a game of football on my xbox, so help lose more fat. But i cant seem to build arm muscles or lose chest fat, or lose love handles. Any suggestions?

[MAURER]

better diet, more intense cardio

[DaRkAnGel]

Wait a little longer the fat will come off eventually if you continue the diet.

To build arm muscles you may wanna try lower reps. Try weighted pushups maybe and possibly getting access to better equipment/a gym.

[abarlament]

The main muscles in football are legs, chest, abs, and back (upper and lower). Lift those muscles, don't concentrate so much on high reps as on low reps high weight. Do a Olympic/Powerlifting hybrid workout. You need to do skill work like plyometrics, quick feet drills, explosive stance starts (get in a stance and fire out, sprinting 10 yards). Sprints are also helpful. Long cardio a few times a week, but concentrate mostly on sprints. You need to gain a lot of weight too. You could be a fullback or something like that, but you'd have to gain some serious weight.

[Varsity21]

Originally Posted by abarlament

The main muscles in football are legs, chest, abs, and back (upper and lower). Lift those muscles, don't concentrate so much on high reps as on low reps high weight. Do a Olympic/Powerlifting hybrid workout. You need to do skill work like plyometrics, quick feet drills, explosive stance starts (get in a stance and fire out, sprinting 10 yards). Sprints are also helpful. Long cardio a few times a week, but concentrate mostly on sprints. You need to gain a lot of weight too. You could be a fullback or something like that, but you'd have to gain some serious weight.

yep from what ive heard from ur workout, you really need to work out your legs more. its vital to have strong legs

[wm009]

It's really hard to put on mass without the equipment. Not that I'm saying that you can't exercise and put on a little muscle, but you're pretty limited for a goal. Your school must have a gym. Gotta get you doing squats and bench press.

[mike17]

to even have a prayer at playing division 2 or 3 next year you need to start eating a ton more and find a gym. what position are you hoping to be playing by the way? to tell you the truth, unless you are playing cornerback or wide receiver (shorter positions), i suggest that you just settle for intramural football. its much more fun anyways.

[abarlament]

at 5'5 I'd say your best shots would be at fullback (you need to bulk up to around 190+), or running back, especially if it is a 1 back set team. Wide recievers need to be taller, around 6'0.

[Italian44]

Hey guys, thanks for the advice. About the legs, i dont really need to work them too much because i played soccer for 8 years, and Ive been competing in cycling all the time. When i took weight training last year, i was the second highest in the class in leg presses. Im also trying to get bigger wrists and forearms, any suggestions?

[namistai]

"Im also trying to get bigger wrists and forearms, any suggestions?"

Beat off more! Sorry, couldn't resist that one! If you want to play football I recommend you get the book "52 Week Football Training" by Ben Cook. It's full of good exercises and conditioning tips. It's what I've been following this year and it seems to be working so far!

I agree though that you need to find a gym somewhere. Surely your highschool must have one, either that or there's a 24 Hour Fitness nearby or something. Not having a car is no excuse! Walk or cycle or something but get yourself to a gym and hit the weights for real, otherwise you stand no chance!

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by abarlament

at 5'5 I'd say your best shots would be at fullback (you need to bulk up to around 190+), or running back, especially if it is a 1 back set team. Wide recievers need to be taller, around 6'0.

Definately! At 5'5" some kind of RB would be best. WR's are actually a taller position, with many of the better ones being well over 6', although not all.

I am 6'4" and will be looking to play division 2 or 3 football myself in the next year or so. I am looking to play something like WR, or even QB.

[mike17]

Chris-
have you been playing in some sort of tackle football league at all? how are you training for football exactly?

[Varsity21]

what are some good excercises to improve throwing power?

[Italian44]

I have been playing football recently. Like i said before, i played defensive tackle and tight end for 2 years. I have a question, is it true that u should only work one body part twice a week? I work every body part every other day. And im wondering if thats a bad thing? Also, is it okay to do cardio AFTER a workout? Some say u should only do cardio before working out.

[MAURER]

i ahve heard that a 3-5 day split is best, working a different body part each day, works better than a total body workout every other day, i ahve also heard that it is best to do cardio only 8 hours before/after a weightlifting workout for maximum benefits