Pilates Blog

Ben Sheets “I love the stretch Pilates gives me, the way it increases the range of motion in my hips. As a pitcher, if you're free in the hips, you can explode with power right through the ball.

Milwaukee Brewers pitching ace Ben Sheets was the lone representative of the gold medal-winning 2000 U.S. Olympic baseball team at this year’s Major League All-Star Game.  Sheets pitched a three-hitter to beat Cuba in the gold-medal game.  Eight years later in 2008, Sheet’s became the all-time Milwaukee Brewers strikeout leader, surpassing Teddy Higuera.  Sheets Thought out his carrier this Olympic Gold Medalist, strikeout sensation for the Milwaukee Brewers and a two-time All-Star who leapt into the spotlight as America’s No.1 pitcher in the 2000 Olympics has had to confronted injury.  Sheets, like many other amazing world class athletes has incorporated Pilates into his conditioning program to rehab and prevent injuries and enable him to play long and strong.

“What you do off the field makes such a big difference on the field.”  I discovered more than ever how true it is.  I ended up with a bulging disc in my back that got worse, Said Sheets,  to the point that it was herniated. It hurt to bend down.  It hurt to pick up my little boy, Seaver, who was 2 at the time.   But I pitched the whole year.  After the season I got my back operated on.

To continue to play at this level it starts with the off-season.   At first, I’ll do cross training for at least 20 minutes, three to four times a week.  I’ll do Pilates and some light cardio time on the bike. With weights, I’ll do lunge squats for the lower body and pulley exercises for my rotator cuff, which is critical for pitching. I’m also always working on my core muscles — the hamstrings, thighs, hips and abs — because that’s where your power is centered.

In November, it’s time to ramp it up.  I’ll work out five times a week. In fact, I have 150 pages of power exercises I go through in the off-season. With the pulley machine, I never put on a lot of weight. No more than 5 to 8 pounds, actually. But I’m going to do 12 to 15 reps with every set, to build the strength that I need on the mound. You don’t want beefy biceps. You want a lean, strong arm.

Ben Sheets signed the richest contract in club history, a four-year, $38.5 million contract through 2008.

“In season, I pitch every fifth day. Twice in between starts, I work on those core muscles, with lots of sit-ups, twists and stretches. Pilates is great, too; I love the stretch Pilates gives me, the way it increases the range of motion in my hips.   As a pitcher, if you’re free in the hips, you can explode with power right through the ball. For cardio work, I generally get on the bike for about half an hour. ”

“Nutrition also matters. Two hours before a game, I’ll eat a meal that’s precisely two-thirds carbs and one-third protein. Chicken and pasta, with 17 to 20 ounces of Gatorade, will do the job. During inning breaks, I’ll drink 7 to 10 more ounces of Gatorade to rehydrate. After the game, I’ll drink 20 to 24 ounces for every pound I lost on the mound. Dehydration can result in fatigue, heat illness and a loss of coordination. Replenishing fluids also helps the muscles recover. ”

The bottom line is that — when it comes to maintaining a healthy, fit body — nobody can do it on his own.  The reason why Pilates is the exercise of choice of the rich and famous is because it works!  Find your self a Certified Pilates Professional today and discover for yourself the benefits of this amazing mind body workout.   It will enhance your performance on and off the playing field and keep you looking and feeling great as life goes on.