Have you ever wondered how players
like Albert Pujols and emerging star Joey Gallo generate so much
power behind their swings? You may have bought a personal batting
cage to help you practice hitting the ball like a pro. However,
hitting like a home run star requires more than just multiple reps.
With that in mind, here are a few tips to help you add more muscle to
your swings:
Strengthen Your Core
Most of the power of a swing comes
from your core and wrists, not your arms (although they do help).
During days you won’t be using your batting cage, perform squats,
deadlifts and other exercises that strengthen your core and hips. To
strengthen your wrists, wrist curls with some weights should do
nicely.
Wear Wrist Weights
Practice your swings using wrist
weights as they also help strengthen your wrists. More importantly,
though, it weighs your arms down, helping you to swing with more
“explosion” once they are taken off.
Be careful when you do this though,
as overdoing the weights can result in injury, especially in younger
athletes. Consult your coach before engaging in this training method.
Don’t Forget the Follow Through
Just like a jump shot in basketball,
you need complete your follow through with each swing. Doing so helps
guide the ball accurately, which is just as important as power when
trying to knock the ball out of the park.
