I want to weightlift for Muaythai/Boxing!

[Nautilus]

How should I weightlift so that I can excel in the above two martial arts? I would like to gain a good phyiscal shape while maintaining the right amount of strength. I heard that there are certain types of routines for different sports, and boxing/muay thai requires a person to work more on certain areas while other areas (such as chest) should not bulk. I'd appreciate it if some experienced boxers can show some input, thanks!

 

[Phoenix_of_the_ashes]

Weight lifting is good, but not that important for fighting. It wont make you excel in the sport, if you sucked before you lifted you will suck after lifting.

 

[Shiftkey]

All muscles are used in fighting. There is no special tailored weight lifting reutine. Work out like you would if you weren't practising martial arts. Just realise that if you seriously practise a martial art, you're going to be doing a lot of cardio so it's harder to put on much muscle. Muscle also does not make you a more skilled fighter. You can punch harder and quicker than you would if you were small, but skill will always trump muscle in a fight.

All that said, despite my involvement in martial arts I do lift weights, so don't think I'm discuraging it.

 

[Jay-X]

Originally posted by Phoenix_of_the_ashes
Weight lifting is good, but not that important for fighting. It wont make you excel in the sport, if you sucked before you lifted you will suck after lifting.

true, but you have to consider the psychological aspect too. i'm just 5'9, so if i weren't at least bigger than average joe, i wouldn't have the nerve to train with 6'0 guys.

 

[DonJuanMonk]

In martial arts, agility/speed matter - ignore those UFC huge wrestler guys - besides those fights are decided by dumb white people wrestling moves instead of superior asian people martial arts moves.

Think Bruce Lee.

Not Arnold Swarzeneggar.

If you want to gain size too, then try to do a Jean Claude Van Dam.

Not some random meathead.

 

[Jay-X]

Originally posted by DonJuanMonk
In martial arts, agility/speed matter - ignore those UFC huge wrestler guys - besides those fights are decided by dumb white people wrestling moves instead of superior asian people martial arts moves.

Think Bruce Lee.

Not Arnold Swarzeneggar.

If you want to gain size too, then try to do a Jean Claude Van Dam.

Not some random meathead.

you also have to think about this... if you are an a$$hole looking for a fight, who'd you be more likely to fight? someone who has arnold's body or someone who has bruce lee's? obviously granted that you don't know who they are and how skilled they are...

nobody will mess with someone twice their size

 

[Julian]

Wouldnt having a more muscular body give you more strength as far as punching power goes, or more speed...

i mean you bicep brings your arms back and tricep extends it...so training these muscles would give you a faster more powerful punch?

I dont know much about fighting so im just assuming here.

 

[manuva]

Squat. Punching power comes from legs and core - squatting will do more for your punching than anything else.

 

[Shiftkey]

Originally posted by Julian
Wouldnt having a more muscular body give you more strength as far as punching power goes, or more speed...

i mean you bicep brings your arms back and tricep extends it...so training these muscles would give you a faster more powerful punch?

I dont know much about fighting so im just assuming here.

There's a lot more to fighting than punching and a lot more to punching than extending and retracting your arms. I can punch harder than guys bigger and stronger than me because I know how to punch. I'm also confident fighting guys much bigger than me, and fighting multiple opponents, because of the training I've had.

See Jay-X's thread on punching power.

 

[bcherb2]

If you're going to do even slightly good in either of those you'll need a trainer or coach, ask them about the lifting aspect. Yes there is alot of lifting involved, but they are usually very complexe movements that mirror moves done in fighting. A simlpe chest/arm/leg type deal wont work very well with martial arts.

 

[Nautilus]

Thanks for the reply, guys. I am not going to start boxing just yet, I figured I should spend more time getting more strength now. I've considered starting out by trying out the DC's begginer training routine (2 days a week workout) from LHDans post. Would this be a good routine for now?

 

[manuva]

Originally posted by Nautilus
Thanks for the reply, guys. I am not going to start boxing just yet, I figured I should spend more time getting more strength now. I've considered starting out by trying out the DC's begginer training routine (2 days a week workout) from LHDans post. Would this be a good routine for now?

Nothing is going to prepare you for boxing except boxing. Don't procrastinate - just go do it.

 

[Shiftkey]

Originally posted by manuva
Nothing is going to prepare you for boxing except boxing. Don't procrastinate - just go do it.

I agree. In the long run you will be a better fighter if you start now instead of being bigger and starting later. Nothing is stopping you from putting on muscle while you start taking lessons. It's just a little harder and you have to eat a little more.

 

[Rovalier]

I believe Bruce Lee used to lift weights too, wasn't he involved in developing the Power Rack or something?

Do compound free-weights, like Squats, Deadlifts, Power Cleans etc... don't waste you time with isolation excercises.

Simultaneously, check out Ross Enamait's program for calisthenics (jacks up your endurance and flexilibility). Although he promotes no weight lifting, I think you need a good moderation of body weight excercise and classic iron. I would lean on doing more calesthenics (70% maybe?).

You won't need Creatine either, at least the type that retains water. You want as much strength with as little bulk as possible.

 

[Phoenix_of_the_ashes]

You won't need Creatine either, at least the type that retains water. You want as much strength with as little bulk as possible

Creatine does nothing for bulk, it functions as an energy supplier. Its very good for martial arts.

 

[Rovalier]

Originally posted by Phoenix_of_the_ashes
Creatine does nothing for bulk, it functions as an energy supplier. Its very good for martial arts.

I thought it retains water into the muscle. I am not 100% sure, I don't use it honestly. Mainly because I a bit thrifty - I spend the money on food.

 

[ElChoclo]

Kickboxing you say. Well you'd better do some squats. Boxers always have well developed delts, so anything for delts would be good.

 

[Shiftkey]

Originally posted by Rovalier
I thought it retains water into the muscle. I am not 100% sure, I don't use it honestly. Mainly because I a bit thrifty - I spend the money on food.

Yes this is correct. While supplimenting with creatine, most people will experience an effect called "muscle volumization" where the muscles appear bigger because the cells retain more water. This is a SIDE EFFECT of the true purpose of creatine, which is an increase in energy.

When I used to suppliment with creatine, I experienced a noticable change in appearance and my weight shot up by 10 lbs in one week. I also was able to lift weights longer before I got tired. When I stopped taking creatine, my weight went back down 10 lbs, but not before I put on an additional 10 lbs of muscle. (So before I stopped taking creatine, I gained a total of 20 lbs).

That said, if you take suppliments I recommend creatine. But you do not NEED creatine, and can make significant gains without any suppliment. The only suppliment that is a must have is a high quallity multivitamin. It is also extra important to drink plenty of water when taking creatine. If you start feeling thirsty, you've probably been dehydrated for hours.

 

[tryin 2 play]

Go to rossboxing.com. This is Ross Enamait, like one of the other posters recommended. However, he is wrong when he said Ross promotes no weight lifting. He uses both bodyweight and weights. I have been in martial arts my whole life, competed in boxing and currently in muay thai. Ross knows his $hit, the best stuff I have ever done.

Start boxing ASAP, size and strenght are nothing with out skill. Many of the posters here are wrong who said just lift like you normally would. This will greatly hurt your boxing skills. I strongly urge you to check out Ross' stuff, and head to your local boxing or mma gym soon!

 

[silverfox]

I heartily agree with those recommending Ross Enamait.

If you are a combat athlete his training routines are second to none. I have his Underground Guide and the material in that will keep me going for years.

He mainly does bodyweight drills but he also incorporates dumbbell swings and snatches and sandbag and sledgehammer work. He is also a really good guy and answers all client emails quickly and personally.