Should boxers benchpress/lift weights

[biglefthook]

Is it a good idea for boxers to lift heavy weights

Im 5 foot 9 and 14 stone and always had naturel strenth and just bench 35kg but do loads and loads reps
I could bench press 100kg but want to keep speed,
I do my dumbell exercises at 15kg

Would brench press mabey 50kg be better ?
Could some one give advice and tips on what to do,
Wana be strong but keep my stanima

[Stevieb8006]

Boxers should def lift, but not sure about bench pressing tho. I'd have thought snatches, clean and jerks etc would be much more beneficial. I'm no expert tho, hate lifting weights.

I'd have thought any exercise where you completely "throw" the weight or pull the weight would be best as opposed to benching where you "control" the weight up and down. Always assumed that's why boxers throw medicine balls about.

I'm no expert tho.

[daviddee]

It really depends what your looking for. I believe weights should be used for explosive power so I would have 2 phases of weight training to maximise strength endurance and Power.. Would have 2 - 3 weeks of pre loading low weights high reps about 50 % maximum strength. Then 4 weeks of explosive work 2-3 explosive reps at between 80 - 100% of max strength. Then speed work for remainder of camp. There is a belief that weights are bad but if done right is really important to a training camp

[jamesmcdonnell]

Archie Moore did nothing but pushups and has more KO's than any man in history.

I'm not convinced that there's anything can be done with weights that can't be done with calisthenics. I'm no personal trainer obviously, and I'm keen to hear what anyone with more knowledge has to say.

[keithmoonhangover]

Archie Moore did nothing but pushups and has more KO's than any man in history.

I'm not convinced that there's anything can be done with weights that can't be done with calisthenics. I'm no personal trainer obviously, and I'm keen to hear what anyone with more knowledge has to say.

Not many of the HOF trainers would advise weights. Moore is an excellent example.

[Stevieb8006]

Archie Moore did nothing but pushups and has more KO's than any man in history.

I'm not convinced that there's anything can be done with weights that can't be done with calisthenics. I'm no personal trainer obviously, and I'm keen to hear what anyone with more knowledge has to say.

kind of agree. weights and machines cant do the work for you. Lots of fighters have fucked themselves up doing weights incorrectly. I would imagine thats easy to do if you arent careful

[TheCobra]

Weights stiffen up the frame if overdone. I'd definitely prefer free weights that use more muscle groups and mimic real life lifts and moves, rather than bench/machine lifts that isolate small muscle groups.

A boxer should surely want loose shoulders and an overall flexibility, I'd think things like yoga could be really useful to a boxer if done alongside a set regime, e.g. as mentioned above by doing weights at a certain point in training for power and then trying to lose the stiffness by doing speed and flexibility stuff.

It's a tough one as clearly boxers need a certain amount of strength, but you see some lads with pretty tight shoulders who can't throw a proper hook cos their overall frame is so stiff. Everything in moderation.

[Counter-puncher]

http://boxrec.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=199202

some good information on here, other than what kalan said which i wouldn't know as he's on ignore but was probably bollocks

[tobyh5]

Not many of the HOF trainers would advise weights. Moore is an excellent example.

If they are in the Hall, they are from a time before we knew advanced training and nutrition methods though.

I am not saying boxers should or should not use weights, but that example is from a very different era. As successful and great as Archie was, there is no way of knowing how he would fare today. We assume that the old skool would be too good for the pampered modern fighter but perhaps there would actually be a huge stamina, speed and strength gulf due to modern methods. Literally no possible way of knowing. I doubt it, but am open to the simple fact of "i do not know, unprovable either way".

[bripez]

As others have said, training methods have moved on in recent years and rather than a "boxing trainer" covering all areas a boxer now might have a Strength and conditioning coach, a nutritionist etc. as well as his "trainer".

It also isn't a good idea to say that an exceptional boxer from the past didn't do it so therefore you don't need to do it - the chances are that the boxer in question would have been exceptional whatever he did or didn't do.

eg. I understand that Vlad doesn't do roadwork but instead does a lot of swimming - you wouldn't walk into a gym and tell people to stop their roadwork and nip down the local baths would you ? (yet it works for him as an individual).

[mike john]

Boxers should def lift, but not sure about bench pressing tho. I'd have thought snatches, clean and jerks etc would be much more beneficial. I'm no expert tho, hate lifting weights.

I'd have thought any exercise where you completely "throw" the weight or pull the weight would be best as opposed to benching where you "control" the weight up and down. Always assumed that's why boxers throw medicine balls about.

I'm no expert tho.

i found bench pressing to be detrimental to my boxing training. i found dips to be much more beneficial, performed in an explosive manner, if we're talking upper body pushing movements.

the problem with olympic style lifts and other forms of explosive lifts is the risk-reward ratio. although there are advantages to be had with regards to explosive power, even done with correct form, the injury risk goes through the roof. the snatch in particular, is the most technically difficult lift to master and perform, and even done perfectly the injury potential is high. on top of which, you're looking at serious wear and tear down the line. i personally wouldn't touch snatches or high pulls with a barge pole. just watching them makes my shoulders hurt. id say clean variants are your best bet.

if anyone wants to add these movements to their routine, do not jump straight in unsupervised. you need several months of training under strict supervision from an experienced olympic weightlifting coach.

[Stevieb8006]

Boxers should def lift, but not sure about bench pressing tho. I'd have thought snatches, clean and jerks etc would be much more beneficial. I'm no expert tho, hate lifting weights.

I'd have thought any exercise where you completely "throw" the weight or pull the weight would be best as opposed to benching where you "control" the weight up and down. Always assumed that's why boxers throw medicine balls about.

I'm no expert tho.

i found bench pressing to be detrimental to my boxing training. i found dips to be much more beneficial, performed in an explosive manner, if we're talking upper body pushing movements.

the problem with olympic style lifts and other forms of explosive lifts is the risk-reward ratio. although there are advantages to be had with regards to explosive power, even done with correct form, the injury risk goes through the roof. the snatch in particular, is the most technically difficult lift to master and perform, and even done perfectly the injury potential is high. on top of which, you're looking at serious wear and tear down the line. i personally wouldn't touch snatches or high pulls with a barge pole. just watching them makes my shoulders hurt. id say clean variants are your best bet.

if anyone wants to add these movements to their routine, do not jump straight in unsupervised. you need several months of training under strict supervision from an experienced olympic weightlifting coach.

yeah that totally makes sense. you could end up ruining your camp and having to play catch up.

[keithmoonhangover]

Not many of the HOF trainers would advise weights. Moore is an excellent example.

If they are in the Hall, they are from a time before we knew advanced training and nutrition methods though.

I am not saying boxers should or should not use weights, but that example is from a very different era. As successful and great as Archie was, there is no way of knowing how he would fare today. We assume that the old skool would be too good for the pampered modern fighter but perhaps there would actually be a huge stamina, speed and strength gulf due to modern methods. Literally no possible way of knowing. I doubt it, but am open to the simple fact of "i do not know, unprovable either way".

In fairness Toby, lifting weights is not a new thing. Humans have been lifting weighted objects to build muscles for a very long time Moore could have lifted weights but chose not to. Frank Bruno lifted a lot of weights and it was blamed for his rigidity.

[mike john]

Boxers should def lift, but not sure about bench pressing tho. I'd have thought snatches, clean and jerks etc would be much more beneficial. I'm no expert tho, hate lifting weights.

I'd have thought any exercise where you completely "throw" the weight or pull the weight would be best as opposed to benching where you "control" the weight up and down. Always assumed that's why boxers throw medicine balls about.

I'm no expert tho.

i found bench pressing to be detrimental to my boxing training. i found dips to be much more beneficial, performed in an explosive manner, if we're talking upper body pushing movements.

the problem with olympic style lifts and other forms of explosive lifts is the risk-reward ratio. although there are advantages to be had with regards to explosive power, even done with correct form, the injury risk goes through the roof. the snatch in particular, is the most technically difficult lift to master and perform, and even done perfectly the injury potential is high. on top of which, you're looking at serious wear and tear down the line. i personally wouldn't touch snatches or high pulls with a barge pole. just watching them makes my shoulders hurt. id say clean variants are your best bet.

if anyone wants to add these movements to their routine, do not jump straight in unsupervised. you need several months of training under strict supervision from an experienced olympic weightlifting coach.

yeah that totally makes sense. you could end up ruining your camp and having to play catch up.

could be worst than that stevie. one bad snatch, and thats your career. look at how a dislocated shoulder de railed dean francis

[jamesmcdonnell]

To me, given that boxing is a sport about timing and explosiveness more than raw strength, bodyweight exercises seem far more intuitive.

The fact is, people talk about modern fighters being better prepared, yet fighters of the past especially at heavyweight, seemed to fight at a much higher pace, and for longer. So how are they fitter now than they were then. Modern heavyweights throw hardly any shots, or if they do, they are gassed after a couple of rounds.

[mike john]

To me, given that boxing is a sport about timing and explosiveness more than raw strength, bodyweight exercises seem far more intuitive.

The fact is, people talk about modern fighters being better prepared, yet fighters of the past especially at heavyweight, seemed to fight at a much higher pace, and for longer. So how are they fitter now than they were then. Modern heavyweights throw hardly any shots, or if they do, they are gassed after a couple of rounds.

not to mention far more often

[AGM]

Bench press will only make u strong for bench press, kettlebells have been around for hundreds of years and they are the best for combat sports I would say.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Bench press will only make u strong for bench press, kettlebells have been around for hundreds of years and they are the best for combat sports I would say.

Yes, didn't fighters used to train with Indian clubs, which is a very similar principle.

[AGM]

Yes m8

[tobyh5]

Not many of the HOF trainers would advise weights. Moore is an excellent example.

If they are in the Hall, they are from a time before we knew advanced training and nutrition methods though.

I am not saying boxers should or should not use weights, but that example is from a very different era. As successful and great as Archie was, there is no way of knowing how he would fare today. We assume that the old skool would be too good for the pampered modern fighter but perhaps there would actually be a huge stamina, speed and strength gulf due to modern methods. Literally no possible way of knowing. I doubt it, but am open to the simple fact of "i do not know, unprovable either way".

In fairness Toby, lifting weights is not a new thing. Humans have been lifting weighted objects to build muscles for a very long time Moore could have lifted weights but chose not to. Frank Bruno lifted a lot of weights and it was blamed for his rigidity.

Which is why I said advanced training. Back in the day, they just lifted the weight and put it down again. Science was thinking heavy weights and low reps made you big, light weights and loads of reps made you "ripped" although I think some people still believe in that

[Andrew]

Boxing + weights reminds me of this

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cbwLXQQ46HY

[Bricks]

Weights have their place but it should be a small one.

No doubt they do increase bulk and make a slower less flexible fighter.

Bench for sure is a huge no no. It creates the worst kind of bulk and slows hooks and other punches.

[leejonesjnr]

Weight training is useful in almost all sports.
Obviously the training must be tailored to the sport in hand but people saying 'weights make you bulky and slow' and similar is illustrative of a lack of knowledge. Few currently active boxers, in fact few professional sportsmen of any kind, exclude weight training completely.

[Bricks]

I had a half decent amateur career and trained over 20 years. In that time i went from skinny amateur to a 12.5 stone guy who can still bench in the region of 142.5 to 147.5 kg , deadlift 200kg , military press 100 kg x 12 reps.

Trust me weights done to any excess and by that i mean in the conventional 3 times a week ,failure in the 6-10 rep range,allied with todays high protein diets and drinks will cause unneccesary bulk for a boxer.

I have seen it myself,even now, if i stop that kind of weight regime and go back to the traditional boxers 30-50 rep range and stop all chest training apart frompress ups ......i see speed return immediately.

Like i said weights have a place....even for speed ....namely punching with hand weights.....but the traditional muscle and fitness bullshit ,cross train bs....forget it....archie moore,dundee,futch kbew what they were talking about

[mickey1975]

In my experience in boxing, lads I've sparred, fought, whatever, you just know the second they hit you, what they've got. Muscles don't mean much.