Does Running Hold Back Muscle Growth?

Running long distances is what diminishes muscle growth. If you are going to run, you run springs, uphills, and in different directions, not mile after mile in a straight line. This sort of running increases slow-twitch muscle fibers, whereas sprinting, say 10 100-yard dashes at full speed increases fast-twitch fibers.

 

I think its mainly down to the diet. If you know the right things to eat and when to eat them you wont drop muscle while running.

 

IMO a combination of both is best you need to be fast and strong and also have the ability to endure long rounds so both.
Muscle mass will come from a good protein based diet and weight training.
Heavier weights will increase strength
lighter weight means hyperthrophy which is increased muscle mass so you will look big but wont be able to lift heavy

 

Don't ask a bodybuilder for advice on how to train a boxer. It's like asking a tennis player how to play rugby.

Lamon Brewster once trained with a bodybuilder before the Cliff Etienne fight. LB was favourite to win. The bodybuilder had him lifting heavy weights close to fight night and had him on a high protein, low carb diet. After the 2nd round of the fight, LB was exhausted. He lost the fight in a big way. He said he stopped training like a bodybuilder after that.

That said, even Arnold use to run 2-3 times a week during his bodybuilding days and for some of his biggest movie roles. Everyones heard of Arnold Schwarzenegger, right? I had to google Vince Gironda, I think most people would too.

If you look at fell runners, they have HUGE calves that most bodybuilders could only dream off.

Look also at sprinters. They are huge. Not bodybuilder huge, but they are big compared to the average person.

It's not running per se, but how you run that matters. Not all running is created equal.

One thing I would say, and it's been mentioned on the forums before, is that running is seen as almost mandatory for boxers. It's possible to build aerobic endurance and cut weight in other ways (e.g. cycling, kettlebells).

 

Lee Haney

 

Good lord running bad for boxing?!?

 

No

 

I think the idea of running/cardio holding back muscle growth really only applies to bodybuilders who are trying to achieve muscular growth that is both extreme and athletically impractical.

You should be OK...lol....

Sheesh....forums are great for sharing ideas, but maannn....people really over-think things too much.

 

If you're not eating at a caloric surplus then burning calories running will hinder your muscle growth plus your legs will be more exhausted so it won't be able to give 100% during squats.

But as the other posters mentioned is true, if you're training for boxing then include running in your regime.

 

Nonsense, studies show it affects everyone. There is conflicting cell signalling between resistance training and endurance training. The interference effect is well studied and is relevant to any athlete that needs both strength and endurance. You ever heard of sports like Rugby, soccer, basketball etc.? They all structure their training to minimise the interference effect. To say it only applies to bodybuilders demonstrates how clueless you are on the subject. It's not overthinking you have to worry about, it's switching your brain on in the first place.

 

Whitaker, Holyfield, Toney etc.