Why do boxers have such tiny legs?

[Clutch93]

There is a huge misconception in not just the boxing world, but the sports world that as soon as you pack on muscle from weight training, it somehow automatically makes you slower and bulkier. Its just not true. ANY boxer would benefit from HIIT leg weight training.

[Squizz]

I've always wondered this as well.

I've heard Rocky Marciano had very strong legs, and a lot of his punching power came from his legs. I've heard having strong legs also makes you able to absorb punishment better.

Seems like it's best all the way around.

[intoccabile]

yeah. .because clearly your legs need to be big to be strong. You guys seem to not know what symmetry is. A lot of fighters have symmetrical bodies and aren't so top heavy (like berto). Their legs are proportioned, they don't have to be large.

Do i need to post pictures of sprinters? do you realize how strong their legs are? usain bolt has pencils for legs.. but they are symmetrical with the rest of him.

And for the record.. Shanes power comes from his form. He does'nt punch with his arms but swings his entire body when throwing.

There is a huge misconception in not just the boxing world, but the sports world that as soon as you pack on muscle from weight training, it somehow automatically makes you slower and bulkier. Its just not true. ANY boxer would benefit from HIIT leg weight training.

According to this thread there's an even bigger misconception that boxers don't train their legs at all because they are "small". First and foremost, these men are making weight.. and usually while losing weight. Once they are stripped and on the mark there's seldom time for leg training. What are we arguing here? the size of the fighters legs or the strength of them?

They are standing and moving pretty decent for a good period of time, the same legs carry them miles during training and for rounds and rounds of sparring during camp, etc. These fighters all have strong legs... why does it matter how big they are? the majority if them are symetrical too.

[Orochi_Oni]

Prince Naseem had powerful looking legs too.

[intoccabile]

Clottey isn't top heavy at all.

[SCtrojansbaby]

Bulky legs lead to cramps cramping is an absolute no no in boxing(or any sport that takes stamina)

[LeeVanCleef]

How about plyometrics, then?

[PunchesNbuncheS]

I have a friend who has never boxed in his life and doesnt lift weights or work out or anything but his legs are ****ing huge, you can see every single muscle in his legs and theyre as big as Pac's or bigger but his upper body is tiny compared to his legs.

I asked him how he got his legs so big and he said that when he was a kid he had a habit of walking on his toes all the time and that kids would make fun of him but that he just didnt like his heels touching the ground so he always walked like that. Now all he does is go hiking sometimes but he has never worked out his legs with weights or anything like that.

So based off of what he told me, I dont think you need to lift weights to gain size or muscle in your legs because he said your body weight is more than enough but that you just have to constantly use those muscles all the time and that they grow the right way, not like a bodybuilders legs but like a soccer player who uses his body weight to build his legs just by constantly running and changing directions and being on your toes.

IMO having built legs like Pac doesnt hinder you but helps you. Hes so ****ing fast on his feet its ridiculous and he maintains that speed for the duration of the fight because he is so nimble on his toes. Ive seen the legs of bodybuilders and they look different from the legs of Pac and my friend. Bodybuilders have the kind of bulky muscle that although looks huge, looks like it will deflate and go away if they stop working out with time where as Pac's legs and my friends legs look like they will be built until they die.

There's something different about their legs. Its like if they built their legs the right way over time since they were kids with their own body weight instead of having to use extra weights to make them grow and I believe that that is what the difference is in getting legs that built but retaining your speed and being fast as **** on your toes.

[TOBYLEE1]

Leg structure differ from person to person. Having naturally big legs with dense muscle might not let you fight at a lower weight. On top of that one key in a boxer training is stamina and heavy weight training would take away some mobility and endurance cause of oxygen starvation.

Leg workouts for a boxer should be more in a form of repetition than working them for mass

[Vadrigar.]

And I also think that the reason why legs aren't that big is because food gets out from the butt and never makes it to the legs.

I hope this is a sad joke.