How Long Do You Train

[mushinmaster]

You should rethink the way you look at strength training. I have never sought to be a bodybuilder, and weight training, when performed correctly, will increase your speed, quickness, strength - w/o affecting your flexibility. You just gotta go at it with the right mind set. It's like doing super body weight exercises.

If you know body builders, they aren't known for their strength, endurance - any of that - just for using weights to look good - I don't think thats what anybody here is about.

[TracyKarate]

Weights will leave you bulky and stiff if you are lifting a lot of weight. Lighter, low resistance workouts are preferable to the martial artist, I believe, because they do not threaten ones flexibility, speed, etc., etc.

[mushinmaster]

I am a living example that high intensity, low-rep lifting does not necessarily take away flexibilty, speed, and quickness. I lift this way 3 days a week, 1 hr a day, and can do a full split, touch the scapula of my back with the same hand, and can swing my hands together behind my back. I can do a gymnasit bridge and see my feet!

Lifting has only made my quicker, more explosive, stronger, and more powerful. Don't listen to the myths, my friend, do it right, and it won't hurt you!

[Szczepankiewicz]

All I want to know is can you put both legs behind your head?


Seriously, when done correctly with a proper stretching routine, lifting weights is very good for you. This comes from 16 years of lifting experience. You can get big and bulky and inflexible if you don't eat right and you don't stretch properly. But you can achieve all that without lifting weights....

[MercuryTurrent]

heavy lifting and such DOES NOT take away from flexability. the only time you should worry about that is the possibility that your big arms will stop you from going pee on your own

bench all you want, but if you are going to focus on that, make sure you leave room for flexability. look at jean claude van damme (Sp?), he's ripped as shiznit, but he can easily nail a full split (sorry, he's the only example i could come up with)

[mushinmaster]

I'm the other example - JCVD is nothing compared to me.