let's together answer : what is the ideal tension?

**Ranmira** · 09-01-2006, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by cooler

yes, i don't have measured tension so i had quoted tension loss very conservatively. It depends alot of type of string and how it was strung. Losing 1 lb after the first 5 min is not unreal.

so from your deduction:
optimal tension = aA + bW + cI + dL

where:
a= racket form factor(racket dependent)
A=area of stringbed
b=unit conversion factor
W=your bench press weight

c= unit conversion factor
A=your annual income

d=unit conversion factor
L=your playing level

Yes, yes, this equation sounds just about right.

However, should W be more of a power unit instead of a strength unit?

I don't bench press a lot, but I think 25lb. is still a comfortable tension for me.

And I think this idea of having an equation to help explain ideal tension in concise terms is swell.

Engineering student at your heels, master.

**CoolDoo6** · 09-01-2006, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by cooler

yes, i don't have measured tension so i had quoted tension loss very conservatively. It depends alot of type of string and how it was strung. Losing 1 lb after the first 5 min is not unreal.

so from your deduction:
optimal tension = aA + bW + cI + dL

where:
a= racket form factor(racket dependent)
A=area of stringbed
b=unit conversion factor
W=your bench press weight

c= unit conversion factor
A=your annual income

d=unit conversion factor
L=your playing level

Lets not get into this kind of high level mathematics or people will start throwing their credentials around.

Here's a simpler measure for the ideal tension: If a particular tension helps you win games, it is a good tension. If the tension causes you to lose games, then it is a bad tension and should be changed as soon as possible. For instnace: if the thought of your monthly stringing/racket bill is causing you sweaty palms or shakey hands resulting in persistent poor performance on court, then the tension is clearly too high and should be lowered.

**cooler** · 09-01-2006, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by CoolDoo6

Lets not get into this kind of high level mathematics or people will start throwing their credentials around.

Here's a simpler measure for the ideal tension: If a particular tension helps you win games, it is a good tension. If the tension causes you to lose games, then it is a bad tension and should be changed as soon as possible. For instnace: if the thought of your monthly stringing/racket bill is causing you sweaty palms or shakey hands resulting in persistent poor performance on court, then the tension is clearly too high and should be lowered.

gee, that's mighty helpful

if someone lost 3 games and won 3 games in one night.
palm was medium sweaty.
his rent going up 15% next month, has a back tax bill to pay, but he got a 4.5% salary raise:

so what tension is right for him?

tony g and candra W lost their games to fu/cai, what string tensions should tony and candra change to?

LOL

**DinkAlot** · 09-01-2006, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by cooler

gee, that's mighty helpful

if someone lost 3 games and won 3 games in one night.
palm was medium sweaty.

so what tension is right for me?

tony g and candra W lost their games to fu/cai, what string tensions should tony and candra change to?

LOL

Tony and Candra should definitely drop their string tension from 38lbs. to 32lbs.

**cooler** · 09-01-2006, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by DinkAlot

Tony and Candra should definitely drop their string tension from 38lbs. to 32lbs.

i wasn't finish yet

**DinkAlot** · 09-01-2006, 07:21 PM

Dang! Nice, creative formula. I bet McKay from Stargate Atlantis would be proud.

Originally Posted by cooler

yes, i don't have measured tension so i had quoted tension loss very conservatively. It depends alot of type of string and how it was strung. Losing 1 lb after the first 5 min is not unreal.

so from your deduction:
optimal tension = aA + bW + cI + dL

where:
a= racket form factor(racket dependent)
A=area of stringbed
b=unit conversion factor
W=your bench press weight

c= unit conversion factor
A=your annual income

d=unit conversion factor
L=your playing level

**Ranmira** · 09-01-2006, 07:25 PM

I think cooler was trying to suggest factors which may affect the idea of a person's ideal string tension?

Are there more factors that affect the concept of ideal tension which do not vary as much, say, concentration and fatigue?

**DinkAlot** · 09-01-2006, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by cooler

i wasn't finish yet

Actually, I've actually swung a couple of Tony's MP100s. The string tension was 28-32lbs. max.

**martin8768** · 09-01-2006, 07:43 PM

so hum sorry if i missed this answer, but what do you call low tension, normal tension(like average), and high tension and rediculusly super high tension?

**DinkAlot** · 09-01-2006, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by martin8768

so hum sorry if i missed this answer, but what do you call low tension, normal tension(like average), and high tension and rediculusly super high tension?

In general:

Low: 16-19lbs.
Normal: 20-24lbs.
High: 25-29lbs.
Extreme: 30+lbs.

**Pete LSD** · 09-01-2006, 09:25 PM

Wow, so I am a freak in the extreme range then

. LOL

Originally Posted by DinkAlot

In general:

Low: 16-19lbs.
Normal: 20-24lbs.
High: 25-29lbs.
Extreme: 30+lbs.

**t3tsubo** · 09-01-2006, 10:36 PM

when my first racquet's strings broke, i brought them to a stringer and he suggested bg-65 at 28-30lbs
i ofcourse had no idea what was ideal or not so i said sure go for it. funnily enough, still hasnt broke. it was an old racquet (cab8200light) too

**cooler** · 09-02-2006, 02:30 AM

Originally Posted by Ranmira

I think cooler was trying to suggest factors which may affect the idea of a person's ideal string tension?

Are there more factors that affect the concept of ideal tension which do not vary as much, say, concentration and fatigue?

i was just having fun using your parameters suggested by ranmira.
It wasn't intended demonstrate any mathematical complexity. In fact,
it was just a simple linear equation. The point was optimal tension is incalculable because it is a moving target and depends on many many parameters and those parameters keep changing as well.

**Gollum** · 09-02-2006, 03:00 AM

Originally Posted by CoolDoo6

Lets not get into this kind of high level mathematics or people will start throwing their credentials around.

Leave it alone, CoolDoo6. No point returning to this unless you like reminding people of your bygone infamy

"High level"? For shame!

**taneepak** · 09-02-2006, 03:39 AM

Using baseline to baseline clears to find out your max. tension and use this tension as your ideal tension is not the way. Your ideal max. tension is the max. tension that you can easily and comfortably hit and return all varieties of strokes, including clears, smashes, drives, backhand shots, and devastating return of opponents' smashes. It is not unusual to find that one can clear or smash at 32lbs, but when it comes to drives, drops, cut smashes, or returns of smashes the 32lbs will drop 4-5lbs, sometimes more. In that case the ideal max. tension is not 32lbs but 27lbs max., or even lower.