Do MLB pitchers lift weights during season?
Rachel Ellis
Published Jan 14, 2026
The answer is a resounding “yes.” We can lift during the season, but there are considerations we need to make. The first, and in my mind most important, is fatigue. We need to be cognizant about the amount of fatigue placed upon our athletes and how that fatigue is actually accumulated in the weight room.
Should pitchers workout during the season?
If you give up training during the season, it's impossible to maintain off-season gains and reduce your risk of injury. Pitchers who stay committed to a program are the ones who reap huge benefits near the end of the season, when others are succumbing to fatigue and soreness.
Is it appropriate for baseball pitchers to train with weights?
In fact, studies now show that proper weight training can greatly improve pitcher performance, as long as the pitching workout program focuses on improving flexibility and prioritizes strengthening a few key areas.
Do MLB players lift weights on game day?
Some professional baseball players train on game days in the mornings before games or after games before they leave the stadium.
Should pitchers lift heavy?
When pitchers lift weights, their muscles get stronger so they can produce more force. When pitchers learn to express this force quickly through training, they improve their power. Power, therefore, is best described as strong movements performed with speed.
18 related questions foundAre push ups good for pitchers?
Push-Ups are perfect for pitchers, because the shoulder blades can move freely (not locked down on a bench), similar to when you throw a ball. Lots of different variations can make Push-Ups more challenging, like Plyo Push-Ups or Push-Ups with resistance from a weighted vest, resistance band or chains.
What lifts should pitchers avoid?
4 Lifts Baseball Players Should Avoid
- Hang Clean. There are two critical points regarding hang cleans and other similar Olympic lifting exercises as it relates to baseball training. ...
- Barbell Back Squat. ...
- Upright Row.
Should you lift before or after baseball?
Baseball Weightlifting Tips
Strength and conditioning coach Jon Doyle cautions players not to train the day before games "unless you have found this specifically works for you." He suggests that two full-body workouts for 20 to 30 minutes are optimal during the season.
Why do athletes lift after games?
Game-day lifting will benefit athletes more than resting, can improve game performance, and are critical to long term strength improvement and athletic development. It's a big part of what we do and should not be shied away from.
How much do MLB pitchers bench press?
The range is probably somewhere between 180-300. There ya go. I'd guess maybe 200. If I were to make an educated guess, I would say that all the professional pitchers should be able to bench press their body weight at least a few times.
Is it good to lift after you pitch?
A light workout after you pitch is a good way to keep your body loose, but lifting too heavy may get you really stiff. Nobody knows your body better than yourself, so do what works best for you. A good workout the day after you pitch is excellent for staying loose and keeping in pitching shape.
Do J bands increase velocity?
The eleven-step J-Band exercise routine is designed to balance, strengthen & condition the rotator cuff & surrounding muscle groups. These stretches are crucial for injury prevention, endurance, recovery period and increased velocity.
Are deadlifts good for pitchers?
We've had sprinters do those with 150 pounds in each hand—so people can go pretty heavy on them.” The deadlift can help work out your glutes, increase flexibility in your hamstrings—very important for pitchers—and strengthen the lower back.
Do MLB players lift during the season?
The answer is a resounding “yes.” We can lift during the season, but there are considerations we need to make.
Should you lift heavy in season?
Low repetition ranges and heavier weights in-season work for every sport. Maximum contractions at low volumes achieve better strength levels by the end of the year and reduce the in-season soreness and fatigue which results from training programs that are too high-volume.
Should you lift weights during season?
For long-term development of your physical abilities, strength training while in season is incredibly important. Every player wants to get better from year to year, but if you allow all your gains to disappear every time you're in-season, that's going to be extremely difficult.
Is it better to lift before or after practice?
Lifting After Practice
Most teams and players prefer to work out after a practice or even after games. According to former basketball player Thomas Emma, lifting after a practice or game should be done immediately after and be performed for no longer than 30 to 35 minutes.
Should you train the day before a game?
It's fine to sprint full speed or lift at full intensity the day before weekend practice or tournament. The key is to keep the volume low. If the idea of training before a tournament is new to you, here is a light workout that includes some nervous system priming activities to get you started.
Is it good to lift before practice?
The short answer that everyone is looking for can be condensed. If you want to build muscle, run first. If you want to build your endurance and aerobic capacity, run last. Essentially, your body's adaptive response is greater for the type of exercise that you finish your workout doing.
Are shrugs good for pitchers?
There really are no place for shrugs in the pitchers' workout. Shrugs also lead to a forward rounded shoulder. They strengthen the upper trapezius muscle which is almost never weak. Replace the shrug with Lower Trapezius exercises.
Should pitchers lift shoulders?
Strengthening and stabilizing the shoulders through overhead lifts is extremely important to pitching velocity and maintaining health in your pitching arm.
Is swimming good for a pitcher?
As a pitcher, swimming is one of the best methods to build shoulder strength, endurance, and stability. Whenever you have the opportunity to train in the pool, you will find that the water creates a very low stress environment on the shoulders, but provides a tremendous amount of benefits.
Is biking good for pitchers?
Cycling protects muscle groups that players need to perform by focusing their energies elsewhere. For instance, a pitcher can hop on a bike and exercise knowing that he's not going to inadvertently tweak his pitching arm or wrench his shoulder.
What workouts increase pitching velocity?
Top 5 Workouts to Increase Throwing Velocity
- Maintain Mobility As You Get Stronger.
- Utilize Lateral Power Exercises.
- Train On One Leg.
- Improve Hip And Shoulder Separation.
- Train Your Rotator Cuff In A 90/90 Position.
Is bench press good for pitchers?
Should Pitchers Bench Press? The answer is yes! If they use good form and even the 3 board technique then it gives the athlete the ability to assess upper body power while also enhancing it.