Background; So, I am 16 years old and about 134-136 lbs. I am 5'7/5'8 (Forget which exactly) which is about 1.72m. I've only been boxing for about a month and a half but I know with 100% certainty that I want to take this far, and see it through. This is really the only athletic sport/martial art that I've ever done and actually liked, so I'm really only an athlete of some sort in training. My question, as I stated in the title is... well, should I begin weight training? The reason I ask this is because I've been reading up a lot about it and I seem to have found many conflicting reports on what to do, and what not to do as a boxer. Anywhere from "it doesn't matter, if you want to move up a weight class do whatever" to; "Dead lifts will be the death of you as a boxer...". In all honesty I do like the idea of my current weight class, but I wouldn't have any problem jumping to 145-150. I really just need to get stronger, in my opinion. Dieting isn't a problem for me either. I was thinking of starting just the basic 5x5 StrongLifts program, what would be all of your thoughts? Or, should I just eat well and continue my current training, which is Monday-Thursday, where I mostly do more basic sorts of exercises, other than the actual boxing itself. Also, if you have any other totally different opinions on strength/muscle building programs and training that you consider the best, do tell me, I would love to hear it. Thanks for any answers, I would greatly appreciate it.
Stronglifts/powerlifting won't increase your weight but will increase your strength. Strength does come into play as a boxer despite what people will tell you. Your whole body is used in a punch so you want to make your whole body as strong as possible so you don't get injured and that you maximize your power. Lifting weights doesn't equal power though. I started the Jim Wendler 5/3/1 program back in August and it works perfectly. All of my lifts increased pretty good. I have felt alot stronger and I hit harder/follow through alot better. I'm 16 too and weigh 120-130 lbs and am 5'10". So I am close to you in body size. Doing any workout other than powerlifting for boxing is pretty much pointless because it takes away your explosivity. Endurance workouts with 15+ reps are pointless. You would be better off doing calisthenics. Also, if you decide to lift weights, remember to incorporate pull ups into your workout or you will have muscular imbalance and your posture will get messed up.
Alright, great man. Thanks. I'll check it out, definitely. Yeah that's all I really want, I don't feel the need to increase weight at all, and if anything I'd probably prefer to lose some so I could be around your range. I just definitely want to have some strength increases and if the program you mentioned works for that then I'll check it out. If you have any other suggestions feel free to tell me too, so new to a lot of this (really just athletics in general) so it's actually a lot of information to absorb. More than I ever expected.
I lift weights I think its good for you it depends how you lift. If you lift like a bodybuilder lots of accesories movements then it may not be best but if its bodyweight and squat,deadlift,clean etc then that will increase your power
There are naturally strong fighters and naturally weak fighters. Lifting and using rubber band like resistance can help. Steer clear of heavy bulky weights. Go for lighter weights, with high reps for stamina. I also recommend hand grips, lots of push ups and sit ups
If you're going to add something to your training you need to be able to explain what you're adding and why. The problem most people have with their training is they just add things for the sake of it, which equates to a waste of time and effort. You seem to just want to get stronger just because. If you can establish an actual reason for wanting to become stronger in a particular area then you can work our what you need to do.
Push ups or press ups in the uk must be the most underrated exercise going. Everything gets s workout, shoulders, chest and core mostly.
Well, I want to gain more strength for a punch that lands a bit more impact. Especially in my left. I have somewhat weak punches and would like to increase the capacity at which I throw a punch. After doing a bit of reading it seems like the way to go is do a bit of lifting, around 2-3 days a week, but nothing super crazy/intense. I've also begun to run 6 days a week, because my endurance is pretty terrible. I'm incorporating sprints throughout to work on my anaerobics too. Thank you guys for all the advice so far! All of it's been noted heavily.
You've been boxing for less than 2 months. Your punches being weak is probably more likely down to poor technique than you being weak in general. Don't run 6 days a week, 3 is more than enough.
Well, I also want to train for a 10k. Just something fun for me. Not entirely related to boxing, mostly halfway. I mean, my mile is about 10 minutes per, and after a mile I'm pretty damn winded. Makes me much happier to run as well. That's true, I suppose I should probably give it a little bit of time, and then see where I'm at, I have noticed that my hooks are much stronger after a bit of practice, really made me realize how much form impacts your punches. I just figured it would be useful to lift just for a maintenance sort of thing. Do note, since I made this thread and researched a bit more I've found a lot of information about what I actually should be doing, haha. My priorities have changed a bit.
It's not like it's going to make you a worse boxer. Running and weightlifting can only help. Unless you have health problems that prevent you.