Weight lifting and boxing

[bob]

I've been boxing for about a year now and I have lifted light weights for many years but i know want to bulk up and the only way is by heavy lifting . Ive started it and put on about 2 pound of muscle so far but Ive noticed im becoming more slugish in my punches and a bit slower.

 

I want to put on another 10 pound of muscle but fear my skills will decrease.

 

Can anyone help?

[kicker]

Well your skills wont decrease by too much, you well have a stronger punch but you well slow down a bit at the speed. But you can get your speed in your punches back if you do some exercises.

 

You could get a speed bag or a double-end striking end and they can both help you increase your speed but the double-end striking bag for me is better.

 

You could get a video or a book on how to increase your speed in your punches.

 

Here is a site that has a speed bag book and video http://www.balazsboxing.com/gear/bnv/books.htm#DL0600

 

Hope that helps a bit

[WhiteShark]

Are you stretching a lot? Loss of speed is often really a loss of flexibility, especially if you quicken back up once you get going and get warmed up in your boxing workouts.

[Jack]

Well if you're following a standard weightraining routine you move the weight slowly, so the type of muscle fibre that is used for absolute strength, and not for speed strength is being torn and grown. If you want to pack on some weight whilst not slowing down your punches, try explosive lifting, pylometrics, and powerlifting - these are all about strength and not size, but have you ever seen a powerlifter who can squat 600lbs but has small legs?

 

So, lift a lighter weight with the concentric motion being as fast as possible, and then lower it at a normal speed.

[Bretty101]

I'm nowehere near being any good a boxing (dispite years of kickboxing). However i have found the speed i have lost through weight training is more then made up by the power i can generate. Fortunately i've still got a quick stiff jab, and anyone thats too quick for me soon slows down after a good hard whack.

 

I now have the power to destroy!!!

 

Bretty

[G95champ]

Weight Traing well help anyone of any age in any sport at any time. I don't care if you are jumping rope or playing marbles. If you are bigger and stronger you will be better off. I would bet you feel slugish because your muscles are tired. This happens when you lift heavy. You are not loosing skill you body is just adjusting to the change.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Lifting weights will make you slow, muscle bound and lethergic.

 

If you want to big build big showy muscles then do weights but if you want to build functional strengh and endurance do body weight calisthenics.

 

I also used to do weights but I am far stronger njow than I was ever doing weights. Body builders are not even strong, they build for muscular bulk, not even power lifters are as strong as people that work with their own body weights but its your choice.

[Jack]

Lifting weights will only make you slow if you lift slowly. If you do explosive/Powerlifting style they will make you stronger and FASTER. You would have to lift for years and years to become impractically bulky. And I myself lift weights, as do many I know and it does NOT make them lethargic. Just ask Bretty, does he seem to be feeling tired and lethargic from starting weighttraining?

 

And yes - Weights are superior for building mass than bodyweight exercises. But are you saying they do not build functional strength? I'm no expert, but I think if a guy can Bench 300lbs and Barbell Row 200lbs he would probably have plenty of functional strength. Simple pushups and situps do not build strength after a while, but simply work on endurance. Tougher movements can be used to build strength though you are right - Hindu Pushups, one hand pushups/Pullups, these will build some good strength.

 

Bodybuilders are strong. However, they are more concerned about size than strength, but with one comes another to varying degrees. But, I think Powerlifters can be stronger thanpeople working with their own bodyweight. Powerlifters train solely for strength, and nothing but. No endurance, no working whats practical for their sport, but for pure strength - Forcing their muscles and CNS to adapt and grow stronger. I'm not discrediting those who do work with their Bodyweight, but I doubt any of those guys on "World's strongest man" work solely with callasthenics, and I doubt Matt Furey could Bench 650, or Deadlift 1000.

 

In conclusion - Yes callasthenics are useful, but not the most superior way of building speed and strength. Powerlifting, and Pylometrics would be better for speed/strength.

[Radok]

You would, of coarse, be refering to Matt Furey?

[Jack]

Matt Furey is strong, very strong, and working with Calisthenics he has proved that the correct moves can build a great deal of strength, but if it came down between him and a top powerlifter of a similar weight in a strength contest, I would have my money on the powerlifter.

 

Eye of the tiger - where is some of this supposed evidence on Bodyweight calisthenics producing stronger athletes than Powerlifting? A good study would be great, not just a link to Furey's website, if possible. Thanks.