Boxing vs Weight Training. Incompatible?

[Longhorn85]

I've dabbled in boxing before. I like the workouts and I want to try to enter Masters boxing. I found a great boxing gym here in DC and I'm about to start training with them. One thing that bothers me is the head trainer recommended that I stop lifting while training for boxing.

He thinks it would slow me down. Any truth to this? He says having excessive muscle mass would require more oxygen, hurt flexibility, etc.

I believe weight training if done properly will improve flexibility. Don't know about the oxygen part.

Thoughts?

 

[it stars sAddam]

look at Tyson man, no way he didnt lift like crazy

 

[TC2]

Take it from an ex boxer, Excessive muscle WILL slow you down. It sucks to have to lose muscle, but it is nessary.

"look at Tyson man, no way he didnt lift like crazy"

Tyson was/is naturally big and quick (very rare to be both)

 

[Longhorn85]

look at Tyson man, no way he didnt lift like crazy

The head trainer at this gym says Tyson doesn't lift much at all. I haven't verified. He said Holyfield is one of the few who lift a lot.

Not that I'm gunning for a heavy-weight belt, lol. Just some Masters boxing.

 

[Longhorn85]

Take it from an ex boxer, Excessive muscle WILL slow you down. It sucks to have to lose muscle, but it is nessary.

So did you lift at all while training for bouts?

 

[TC2]

So did you lift at all while training for bouts?

at the time no. It really slows you down and throws off your timing if you're steadily gaining bulk.


I've tried it before and noticed a big difference in speed and reaction.

I think it really depends on the person though and how much actual bulk you put on.

 

[plrpower]

Not to disagree but how do wrestlers lift weights (not bulk) but still weight train and keep there speed and reaction from being effected.

 

[Longhorn85]

Not to disagree but how do wrestlers lift weights (not bulk) but still weight train and keep there speed and reaction from being effected.

Good question. Let me also point out that the trainer told me that it is better to fight at a lighter weight. I don't know if this makes sense to me. Wouldn't my punches be more powerful if I had more muscle than the other guy?

Many boxers are quite muscular and cut. Do they get this just from boxing training?

 

[TC2]

Not to disagree but how do wrestlers lift weights (not bulk) but still weight train and keep there speed and reaction from being effected.

wrestling(sp?) and boxing are different sports.

boxing consists of alot of quick push/pull movements, if you have too much mass(for example your arm) its harder/takes more energy to move it and to snap it back.

Notice how most boxers don't have huge triceps.

A wrestler will not be as quick as a boxer..

 

[TC2]

Good question. Let me also point out that the trainer told me that it is better to fight at a lighter weight. I don't know if this makes sense to me. Wouldn't my punches be more powerful if I had more muscle than the other guy?

Many boxers are quite muscular and cut. Do they get this just from boxing training?

Your trainer probably thinks that you would be faster/have more endurance at the lighter weight..

Your punches would be more powerful if you had more strenght(it's relative)punching power is not directly related to muscle in the conventional sense. punching strenght comes from punching.

Boxers are bigger than average people but look alot bigger because of their very low bodyfat and well defined muscles.

 

[TC2]

It's funny this thread came up because I've been thinking of getting back into boxing (mostly for fun).

The first thing that came to mind was that I'll have to lose alot of hard earned muscle.

 

[Longhorn85]

It's funny this thread came up because I've been thinking of getting back into boxing (mostly for fun).

The first thing that came to mind was that I'll have to lose alot of hard earned muscle.

Since I am doing it for the sport and conditioning, I think I will continue to lift about twice a week and see how it goes.

 

[the nature boy]

I would think that if you did speed training with weights, along with very low rep training for power, would help. Explosive strength would be an asset in boxing, no?

 

[the nature boy]

Kind of a long article, and I know it involves gymnastics, but I think there are some things that may apply to this situation. You can train for power and not really gain that much wieght. But you would gain a lot of explosion in your movements.

http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/publications/technique/1996/8/strength-training.html

 

[Sammy Sosa]

Excellent posts Nature Boy, I was going to say the same thing about increasing explosive strength.

 

[TC2]

I would think that if you did speed training with weights, along with very low rep training for power, would help. Explosive strength would be an asset in boxing, no?

Explosive strenght yes.IF you can do this without adding too much bulk.

Low heavy reps would be outta the question, you're not trying for a 1 rep max, if anything, higher reps and sets for endurance.

I think the bottem line if that it depends on the person and how you respond to weightlifting.

 

[Sammy Sosa]

you should have read the article. Max effort strength is very important. IMO Muscular endurance from weight training is not the same type of endurance needed for being in the ring.

 

[the nature boy]

you should have read the article. Max effort strength is very important. IMO Muscular endurance from weight training is not the same type of endurance needed for being in the ring.

Yup, it's actaually a good article for anyone into increasing athletic performance, even for bodybuilders too.

 

[it stars sAddam]

The head trainer at this gym says Tyson doesn't lift much at all.

I thought that I had read something on this board actually about Tyson being on heavy doses of AS? Maybe Im just confused.

 

[Synpax]

Hi,

I have trained (briefly) at that gym and been told the same thing. The guy does come from the old school where that was the thinking.

I asked the same question, and there was pretty much universal disagreement. Except I asked on the martial arts (or was it collegiate sports) board.

You are actually asking in the wrong place - try that sports board, etc. I think BRR will give you some advice to the contrary. So will many others.

It's a good gym. Just go ahead and do your lifting. Maybe I'll see you there in February.

 

[Longhorn85]

Hi,

I have trained (briefly) at that gym and been told the same thing. The guy does come from the old school where that was the thinking.

I asked the same question, and there was pretty much universal disagreement. Except I asked on the martial arts (or was it collegiate sports) board.

You are actually asking in the wrong place - try that sports board, etc. I think BRR will give you some advice to the contrary. So will many others.

It's a good gym. Just go ahead and do your lifting. Maybe I'll see you there in February.

NB- good article, thanks

Synpax -

This gym is in Falls Church in a smelly basement behind a strip mall. Same one?

 

[KOArtist]

Olympic lifts are great for boxers, period. "Bodybuilding" is what will slow you down. I box, and I use a moderated WSB program since I only lift 2x a week (dynamic leg/max bench one day, opposite the other, along w/ some other moderations.) Remember, youre a boxer, not a bodybuilder, or even an olympic weightlifter. 2x a week is good, 3x maybe, any more = too much for a boxer. Imagine one of those 160lb olympic lifters putting all that explosion into an uppercut. There's no rational way to explain how that wouldn't be a good thing. It's all about getting your skill better in the end anyways though bro, so fuck the weightroom, hit the ring! ANd yeah, good article NB!

 

[Lord_Suston]

Weihgtlifting can help boxing-to a point. WHen I went back to the gym a few years ago although much stronger than before I had to lose about 25lbs to be in a decent weight class, so I wouldn't get killed. Granted I hit harder than my opponenets but if you never land a clean blow it makes for a shitty time in the ring. Nothing worst than being tired and getting your ass kicked. Olympic lifting, powerlifting with bands and chains could help if done in moderation, sprinting also help tremedously IMO, but never neglect time in the ring

 

[Synpax]

NB- good article, thanks

Synpax -

This gym is in Falls Church in a smelly basement behind a strip mall. Same one?

Hm, I guess not. The one I was at is in down town DC.

 

[2BIG4URMOM]

I had boxed for years I started at the age of 13 at an indian reservation in Minnesota. Since I was to young for golden gloves I boxed at 106lb silver gloves. I later boxed at 119 golden gloves, and then messed around for All American Week while in the 82nd ABN.

Weight training is fine to a degree, depending on how you are weight training for your weight class. Trying to have huge biceps in a lighter weight class is a definate no-no. Reason being lighter weight boxers train for speed and as you gain in weight class you train for power. When I was younger I loved to fight the guys with the biggest arms. Reason being I would get them to wear themselves out, trust me after awhile the gloves get heavy and with the extra weight on their arms they would be a lot slower and left a lot of open shots.

Now heavier fighters train for power(such as Tyson), you want to hit hard because chances are you not going blow for blows. You are trying to set up your opponent with the jab so you can slip the right(power hand). Of course there is more to this strategy but this is just basic. Tyson did try the blow for blow strategy, hoping to take the guy out early, but if they guy has a solid chin you might find yourself in a lot of trouble.