Arms cramping up during heavy bag work.

[JJC]

I've been boxing for about a year but only recently started incorporating weights into my exercise routine.

As part of my routine I generally do 10 x 2min rounds on the heavy bag with 30 seconds rest between each round. Up until a week ago I was getting through that relatively easily. I would get a nice sweat up, and my heart rate up but my arms tiring was never a problem.

However since I've started doing weights I find my arms getting heavy and cramping up after about four rounds. My punches seem to have lost a lot of snap as well.

Are the weights to blame for this? Am I working myself too hard? What do you guys advise?

I would like to continue doing weights for now as I could do with the extra muscle, but it is making my bag work - something I really enjoy - a bloody mission.

[BarryRobinson]

3 minute reps

I've been boxing for about a year but only recently started incorporating weights into my exercise routine.

As part of my routine I generally do 10 x 2min rounds on the heavy bag with 30 seconds rest between each round. Up until a week ago I was getting through that relatively easily. I would get a nice sweat up, and my heart rate up but my arms tiring was never a problem.

However since I've started doing weights I find my arms getting heavy and cramping up after about four rounds. My punches seem to have lost a lot of snap as well.

Are the weights to blame for this? Am I working myself too hard? What do you guys advise?

I would like to continue doing weights for now as I could do with the extra muscle, but it is making my bag work - something I really enjoy - a bloody mission.

Try switching to 3lb dumbells and doing reps for 3 minutes

[#1Assassin]

depends on what type of weigh lifting regimen you have. if you are doing bicep curls and other similar exercises what do you expect? ofcourse its gonna damage your boxing. if your working your shoulders to the point were you become stiff and lose mobility that could be it too even though shoulder exercises when executed properly will do you a ton of good.

[Redd Foxx]

It sounds pretty clear that your arms are fatigued and need either more opportunity for recovery or a lighter weight training routine. I've recently found that working with bands (the rubber tubes) can help in conditioning and moderate muscle-building without leaving my arms too fatigued to work the bag the following day. They seem kinda "*****", but I've had great results so far.
You may want to look at trying recovery supplements to heal faster or Beta Alanine for greater muscular endurance.

[JJC]

Thanks for the advice. By the sounds of things my weight regime is probably too intensive. I'll try lightening up and will look into supplements to increase muscle endurance/recovery too.

Any recommendations for supplements? I take 100% whey protein, but that's it.

[kbpoetree]

Thanks for the advice. By the sounds of things my weight regime is probably too intensive. I'll try lightening up and will look into supplements to increase muscle endurance/recovery too.

Any recommendations for supplements? I take 100% whey protein, but that's it.

dont forget bout water and protein....ur body is prob drainen more water now then u were b4 the lifting...u must replace it

[Furn]

Are you stacking carbs after your weights?

Sounds like you are using up your glycogen stores in your muscles and not replacing them.

[barfly12]

Take potassium pills

thats the best thing for cramping up

[PAC-BOY]

I've been boxing for about a year but only recently started incorporating weights into my exercise routine.

As part of my routine I generally do 10 x 2min rounds on the heavy bag with 30 seconds rest between each round. Up until a week ago I was getting through that relatively easily. I would get a nice sweat up, and my heart rate up but my arms tiring was never a problem.

However since I've started doing weights I find my arms getting heavy and cramping up after about four rounds. My punches seem to have lost a lot of snap as well.

Are the weights to blame for this? Am I working myself too hard? What do you guys advise?

I would like to continue doing weights for now as I could do with the extra muscle, but it is making my bag work - something I really enjoy - a bloody mission.

give your arms a rest for a bit. get plenty of protein.