Weight Training & Boxing

[JPSmyth]

I have heard so many times not to weight train for boxing, that it will "slow you down", however time and time again I see boxers supplementing their boxing training with weights. For example, I have seen the Klitschkos incline bench pressing, Adrien Broner military pressing, Gabe Rosado doing bent over rows, Danny Garcia doing bicep curls, JMM doing heavy squats, Floyd doing cable rows and lat pulldowns, and the list goes on.

I am starting to take boxing seriously, however I will still be weight training 2-3 times per week. I think that if you train heavy and explosively on compound movements you are activating your fast-twitch muscle fibers and increasing your functional strength. I personally am going to continue to weight train but I just wanted some others opinions on this topic. I believe that if the majority of your focus is on boxing training then as long as you lift correctly it will only benefit you.

Physiques of high-level pro fighters like RJJ, Holyfield, JMM (4th Pacquaio fight), Broner, Bradley, can only be achieved with weight training as a supplement to boxing training. I think that the "bodyweight only" approach is very old school, and with new methods of strength and conditioning the use of weights is very common in the sport.

Does anybody else have an input? How often do you guys weight train, if you do at all?

[TheAuthority]

I have heard so many times not to weight train for boxing, that it will "slow you down", however time and time again I see boxers supplementing their boxing training with weights. For example, I have seen the Klitschkos incline bench pressing, Adrien Broner military pressing, Gabe Rosado doing bent over rows, Danny Garcia doing bicep curls, JMM doing heavy squats, Floyd doing cable rows and lat pulldowns, and the list goes on.

I am starting to take boxing seriously, however I will still be weight training 2-3 times per week. I think that if you train heavy and explosively on compound movements you are activating your fast-twitch muscle fibers and increasing your functional strength. I personally am going to continue to weight train but I just wanted some others opinions on this topic. I believe that if the majority of your focus is on boxing training then as long as you lift correctly it will only benefit you.

Physiques of high-level pro fighters like RJJ, Holyfield, JMM (4th Pacquaio fight), Broner, Bradley, can only be achieved with weight training as a supplement to boxing training. I think that the "bodyweight only" approach is very old school, and with new methods of strength and conditioning the use of weights is very common in the sport.

Does anybody else have an input? How often do you guys weight train, if you do at all?

I agree with your general opinion.

Strength training using weights and / or body weight can certainly be beneficial. If done correctly, it won't make you slow, and you won't gain mass if you limit your food intake and continue your boxing training / conditioning etc.

Ross Enamait has a book called "Infinite Intensity" which is a great introduction to integrating strength work outs into your training without negatively affecting skill training / conditioning.

It may be worth checking out if you are serious (assuming the book is still available?).

[jackparker]

With strength training activities in your boxing training sessions you can actually increase the speed and can take fight for long. Weight training helps in muscles building.

[SBleeder]

I don't touch the weights.

Could they be beneficial? Perhaps.

Are they going to be more beneficial than sparring? Of course not.

We have a limited amount of time in the gym. I'm not going to waste it on weights when I could be becoming a better boxer.

[#1Assassin]

TS is correct.

the problem is most boxers either dont know how to lift weights so that it benefits them as boxers. or they just do way too much of it and overlook more important aspects of preparation or just get too big.

cant tell you how many guys i boxed in competition and the gym that were beasts physically, but knew jack **** about boxing and were easy as hell to pick apart.

others just focus on the wrong thing (generally size) and while they lift the appropriate amount it still does more damage than benefit. losing far more speed, agility and stamina than they gain strength while being forced to box taller and naturally bigger opponents. well, that and running but thats just because i have bad knees that need a break once in a while.


i box 5 days a week, would be 6 but cant find a gym thats open that much (im boxing in two different gyms as it is). i run and swim 4-5 times a week, (swim 1-2 a week, run 2-3 times a week). lifting weights has the lowest priority, i generally go to the fitness center twice a week but it varies a lot. its the first session to get cut in case i dont have the time to train as much as i would like.

[2016olympian]

Bottom line: if your an amateur you NEED a trainer to help get you where you wanna be. My son is a 2016 aspiring Olympian. I've trained him since the age of 12 yrs old and he is undefeated because my style of training is very unique. I've shared it with professional boxers an had the privilege to train fighters for HBO fights. Get a trainer who knows what he's doing!