Even just 15 mins of calisthenics per day will help fitness a lot if you don't currently do much exercise.
Yeah I'm thinking up a minimum viable plan for once, rather than setting the bar too high.
Faster equipment is definitely not the play. All of your posts since changing to Glayzer on both sides sound positive, so stick to that if you ask me.
Definitely not faster, I was thinking softer, lower power access threshold. Or tacky. But changing those boundaries isn't going to make me feel better, getting more fit is.
I don't do gyms, but calisthenics and running are options I can work with. I'll be writing up a schedule today
EDIT (yes, I self-analyze a lot) Here's the main symptoms that I want to work on:
1. too thick contact, or on the other end of the spectrum, missing the ball completely when trying to make a brush contact.
What it does: I overshoot balls that I want to spin, or I whiff them. Also creates much less spin than I want to.
Technique-based remedy: lower my posture, work on my timing, for BH letting the ball come to the hitting zone (or stepping in when it comes slower than expected), for FH I need better bat angle which is easier with lower posture. For both, I need more trust in my ability to accelerate through the ball.
EJ remedy: "I need a low throw rubber, and Hurricane is good for thick hit-brush contact"
2. missing higher balls (net, overshoot)
What it does: I create a chance for myself and then whack it into the net or miss the table. Also way out of position when the ball comes back.
Technique-based remedy: footwork, don't attempt to finish a ball I'm not in position for, improve my ability to play a controlled loop at the table. I want to learn better stroke mechanics for over the table work, at the moment it's one of my weakest points trying to create controlled loopy spin with a short stroke.
EJ remedy: "Tacky rubber makes this easier because of the way it picks up the ball without trampolining off."
So footwork, posture, both require better fitness levels. Last time I weighed myself I was 84 something, when I was in good running shape, I was in the low 70s (I remember a 72). Currently, I would love to be under 80 again.
My focus running out too fast is also something that can be improved by better stamina levels. Better blood sugar regulation, better mood stability, better mental power.
Right now, my main exercise is TT twice a week. Other than that, only the occasional bike ride or walk. So there's a lot of opportunity for improvement.
