Weight Training Specifically for Table Tennis

Hi my question is about Weight Training Specifically for Table Tennis.

I've read the articles in this site but what I'm after is a specific routine/set of exercises in the gym that I know will compliment my table tennis.

I've seen some CDs advertised (Xtreme footwork etc) but felt that being advised by PingSkills Olympians rather than fitness people would be more directed.

I have been doing weight training for strength/sport for more than 20 years always as a compliment to whatever sport I was doing. Pole vaulting at a national level is fairly different to table tennis however so I felt some direction was needed.

I currently do 2 weight sessions a week. Both full body workouts. I do the stock standard exercises with free weights: squat, bench press, shoulder press, pull ups, sit ups, dead lift one day and the other day a modified version doing dips, incline press, bicep curls, leg raises, leg curls, sitting leg press. I do 3 sets of 10 reps for each exercise at about 80% of max. 

My concern was whether this style of exercise maximised (or hindered) the explosive speed needed for table tennis?

I also do 1-2 yoga sessions a week. Great for core strength and flexibility.

Thanks, MATT

Hi Matt,

A base of strength will be beneficial and won't do any harm.  If you are wanting to get more specific closer to matches you can do more explosive power exercises.  Even doing the same exercises more explosively will give you more speed.  Not my area of speciality but there is a thought for you.