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[ProCricketer1982]

What is the longest you guys can bat against bowling machine? Just trying to gauge my unfitness level..

A month ago I faced 40 overs and then bowled 10 overs.

Last week I faced 40 overs and then bowled 5 overs before I ended my session.

I agree with Procricket. Bowling machine is a poor way to judge fitness as it's pretty easy to face 2 or 3 hours on it. Yes the first few times you'll tire but not loads. If you want to use the machine though and have a feeder you could get someone to bowl 'overs' at your and then after a shot or two per over run singles or twos etc to replicate a game. Do that for 30 mins and then you'll know how fit you are. Especially if you time a one (sprinted) single and ensure you're as quick each time.

I'm actually pretty fit considering the 5 stone I've put on since 2010. I don't get tired in a game even after batting long periods and being active in the field (so quite often during the middle/end of hte innings going from long on to long on as I am pretty darn good at catching) etc. Of course, if I were to rate my fitness compared to pre knee then I'm about 0.5/10 now. I used to run 6 times a week and no less than 13kms a day (in an hour) comfortably (was tired etc but not shattered and would quite often play 6 a side footy in the evening etc. I'm back in teh gym now so hopefully as I post any new videos you'll start to see a difference. Got rid of about 1/2 a stone since the first video and hopefully will get another 1 to 2 stone gone by middle/end of April.. hopefully!!

[Jenko]

Keep at it lads. My best mate used to be a real talent in his younger years at cricket. Work/moving/unhealthy habits kicked in and he eventually found himself topping the scales around the 145kg mark. He went to a gym and they told him he would need to get a letter from the doctor to remove liability from them if he used there equipment and had a heart attack. He couldnt even run 100m, but was so driven and motivated he would go down and walk laps of our cricket field until he could run 100/walk 100. Gave up smoking and crap foods and kept at the walking/running and gym work......12 months later he got below 100kg and now a good couple of years on he is super fit, in the 90kg region and does 10km runs in his sleep

Keep at it, stay motivated and anything is possible

[Jagminder]

Squats and lunges that the way forward get your core right first the rest will flow

Awesome advice.

[wilkie113]

Keep at it lads. My best mate used to be a real talent in his younger years at cricket. Work/moving/unhealthy habits kicked in and he eventually found himself topping the scales around the 145kg mark. He went to a gym and they told him he would need to get a letter from the doctor to remove liability from them if he used there equipment and had a heart attack. He couldnt even run 100m, but was so driven and motivated he would go down and walk laps of our cricket field until he could run 100/walk 100. Gave up smoking and crap foods and kept at the walking/running and gym work......12 months later he got below 100kg and now a good couple of years on he is super fit, in the 90kg region and does 10km runs in his sleep

Keep at it, stay motivated and anything is possible

The thing that's really motivated me is my bowling. I can't bowl as well as I used to be able to and it's really effected my cricket. I want to get for and loose weight so that I can play to the best of my ability again. It's very frustrating indeed.

Wilkers - are you doing the Choice net?  I'll show you 'realising how unfit you really are'!!!

I am fattus! I look forward to meeting you, we can compare bellys and how unfit we are. I'm not sure that I've got much time between now and the net to lose much weight but hopefully ill be a little fitter.

[tim2000s]

Judging fitness? A few questions to ask yourself.Could you run a half marathon in under two hours? Could you cycle 7 miles in under 30 mins, on the road, not on a static bike in the gym? Could you score a century with no boundaries, purely by running everything? Could you bowl 20 overs and maintain line and length? If the answer to these is yes, then you are probably okay. Otherwise, get training.

[GoldenArm]

Judging fitness? A few questions to ask yourself.Could you run a half marathon in under two hours? Could you cycle 7 miles in under 30 mins, on the road, not on a static bike in the gym? Could you score a century with no boundaries, purely by running everything? Could you bowl 20 overs and maintain line and length? If the answer to these is yes, then you are probably okay. Otherwise, get training.

You don't ask for much do you Tim!

[tim2000s]

No. Just the basics...

[Blazer]

About 1.36 miles approx are covered if you were to compile 100 runs by running singles alone . I was planning on running that everyday but slacked off .

[Cover_Drive]

I agree with Procricket. Bowling machine is a poor way to judge fitness as it's pretty easy to face 2 or 3 hours on it. Yes the first few times you'll tire but not loads. If you want to use the machine though and have a feeder you could get someone to bowl 'overs' at your and then after a shot or two per over run singles or twos etc to replicate a game. Do that for 30 mins and then you'll know how fit you are. Especially if you time a one (sprinted) single and ensure you're as quick each time.

True; however, I personally think batting is a good way of testing out your core strength. Around 10 weeks ago my lower back and obliques would begin to hurt just after 12 minutes of batting.

I like the idea of running, will try it tomorrow.

[JamesC]

Have just had my first pre-season net tuesday night (after 6 months away from the game). By Thursday i felt like i had been run over by a tank (i'm a bowler so sent a fair few down). As you get older (i'm 33) it certainly gets harder!!

[FattusCattus]

Wilkers - not to worry, I'm on a crash weight-gain programme, so I'll make you look good!

[Manormanic]

I'm actually pretty fit considering the 5 stone I've put on since 2010. I don't get tired in a game even after batting long periods and being active in the field (so quite often during the middle/end of hte innings going from long on to long on as I am pretty darn good at catching) etc.

Hmmm....I lost five stone last year and found I was waaaaaay more tired at the end of teh game than I ever was when overweight.  Might have had something to do witht he pre-match net and warm up jog, springted twos and threes (never did that in my strolled single thinking I look like Viv days) and exertions in the field!

[Karan62]

Same here I have been doing some gym work recently and am a lot stronger and less fat but today I ran myself into the ground after 3 and a half hours of bowling ( of bowling that I was in control of ) , but I was tired after the first 45 mins, The rest of it was me just battling on, I think that its no use being strong and muscular if your body cant sustain it !

[ad2606]

True; however, I personally think batting is a good way of testing out your core strength. Around 10 weeks ago my lower back and obliques would begin to hurt just after 12 minutes of batting.

I like the idea of running, will try it tomorrow.

There's a training aid for batting in the nets called batex (or something like that) it makes you recreate different types of innings while in the nets (eg quick 50's long 100's etc) might be worth a look of you wanting something to get you moving in the nets it's supposed to be very good and quite cheap. Haven't used it myself but have heard good things about it

[m.lalli]

I've been banging on about losing weight for ages now
Ever since I tore ligaments in my ankle about two years ago playing football I've done hardly any exercise, gained weight and got lazy
Can't run as ankle starts to hurt gonna have to walk (boring)
Will be hitting the gym hard tomorrow!