new member looking for some sound advice !

[tallcockney]

hi im new and this is my 1st post...weyhey,

anyway heres my situation im 19 years old 175 lbs and 6'4 ive been kicking boxing for a few months now i really enjoy it and wanna start competing when i get good enough but as u can can probably tell buy my weight im not that well set especially my arms there really skinny, i also really enjoy weight training and i know alot about it so,

1) what are your thoughts on a intense weight training programme whilst kickboxing 3-4 times a week.

2) would gaining alot of muscle/weight be pointless because of me wantig to compete and surely my instrucor will want me to lose alot of weight to do so?

[Garland]

anyway heres my situation im 19 years old 175 lbs and 6'4 ive been kicking boxing for a few months now

1) what are your thoughts on a intense weight training programme whilst kickboxing 3-4 times a week.

2) would gaining alot of muscle/weight be pointless because of me wantig to compete and surely my instrucor will want me to lose alot of weight to do so?

Okay...here's some advice...
If you've been training for a few months...you probably should hold off on scheduling a fight...I'd say the 6-8 month mark would be the absolute minimum before setting up a smoker...but I'm neither a trainer nor an active fighter, and I don't know you. Everyone has a different aptitude for the sport, maybe you're ready, but it's impossible to tell through the internet.

1) Weight training is excellent...and I do believe that weight training should be a part of any sports program...with that being said, you would want your training to be sport specific, and not designed to gain size. You want to be a better fighter and not just a peacock, right? I'd consult a sports physiologist at a local college via email, a certified professional trainer at a gym, or a similar professional to have them set up a program for you.

2) Losing weight for a fight is an odd concept to me. I had to before fights...but...at the same time, it can be unhealthy and lead to a number of health problems down the line. Look at the numbers of wrestlers and boxers who take cutting weight to the extreme...essentially it's an eating disorder. I don't really understand the advantage either. I mean...you want to be bigger than the opponent you're fighting? For you...I doubt that's a problem. For you to cut weight at your size would probably put you at a BMI level that's unacceptable...but I'm not a nutritionalist nor a doctor...so...

Basically...if you want really good advice...
contact;
a personal trainer
a sports physiologist
a doctor
a nutritionalist.
AND your coach and other fighters...

Remember...just because something is traditionally done or provisionally accepted as "the way" something should be done in a particular sport doesn't mean that it will yield YOU the best results or be even healthy. Also...think ahead...remember...you have to live a long time after the fight, barring your opponent uses the five finger chest explode *hi-ya!*, and martial arts should help keep you healthy, not take a toll.

My best advice is...
train hard, eat healthy, try and be in good physical condition with cardio and some weight lifting...and if you have to cut weight...make it minimal ...it's your body, don't let anyone push too hard on you to fight at a particular weight class.

[gregimotis]

Making weight:

Cutting weight for a fight is generally done when the weigh-in is in the morning of or the day before the fight. A fighter will sweat off a few pounds before weigh-in, and then drink fluid and gain it right back before the fight.

Doing this only makes sense however, if your fights are arranged with weight in mind and the other coach may cancel if you are a few pounds over the agreed limit. Most amateur fights, and especially beginner amateur fights, are not this specific.

I fought in USA boxing and had several Muay Thai / kickboxing fights and never needed to make weight. I did it in practice a couple times to see what I could shed:

My street weight when I was fighting was 176ish. I could make about 170 over ten hours and put it back on in a couple hours with no adverse effect. Maybe I could have lost more if I'd been really motivated.


The technique my coach used for cutting weight:

- eight or ten hours before weigh-in, do a hard workout in a sweatsuit in a heated room. (lose three or four pounds)
- drink no liquid and do a test weigh-in two hours or so before the official weigh-in (usually lose the rest of the weight already) if needed sweat some more.
- Go to the weigh-in, then start drinking water mixed with Gatorade and eat healthy breakfast.


It won't work of course if the weigh-in is just before the fight. In fact; my understanding is that attempting to make weight (dehydrating yourself) and then stepping right into the ring is a good way to get badly injured. Your body needs that water for cushioning your organs (read: brain) not to mention sweating during the event.



Weight classes are a different thing than what I'm talking about. I've not used weight classes, and I've not heard of them being used except in professional events and high level amateur ones such as Golden Gloves tournaments where the pool of fighters is large enough to support them.

[Akira]

This is from a Thai trainer who runs a very successful gym in Bangkok that has produced many champion thai boxers. I asked him about weight training once because I noticed no-one at the gym ever did any.

'Thai fighter no need bigger arm or bigger neck becuase Thai fighter need strong and tight muscle to be quick move fast.'

Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion and a lot of people try and argue with his (but I'm yet to see any famous fighter challenge his opinion, just internet/keyboard warriors).

[timwagnor]

Hi,

You see i am not an expert of MMA but i have been involved with this sport as i run a business of importing and exporting Training kits for BJJ and Thai kickboxing. Looking at the specifics you have provided, it shows that you are on track. But not good enough to compete in tournaments. I say that because you see participating in tournaments requires coaching from professional coaches. Now few of the people i know they have been in the ring qute a few times and i have seen them training reely hard under renown coaches. Thats why i am saying this.

So first thing get help from a professional coach. With a professional coach i mean someone who has candidates who have won competitions. Few of the ones i know are Team Lloyd Irvin, FairFax Jiu Jitsu, Yamasaki Academy. But i reckon Team Lloyd Irvin is best of the lot. They have good professional trainers, good training facilities and more importantly, they have been training few of the best athletes in the world. BRANDON VERA, the UFC CHAMPION, is the product of Team Lloyd irvin. For more information you can visit:
Maryland Brazilian Jiu Jitsu|Gracie Jiu Jitsu Virginia|Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Maryland|Muay Thai Boxing or
Lloyd Irvin Live

[george stando]

My advice like the others is get yourself a good coach and a good school. Then train with him and let him evaluate your training and where you are at. Tell him you would like to fight when you are ready and this is one of your goals training and a serious focus. The coach will then train you with that goal in mind, monitor when you are ready and then let you know if a fight is coming up. You can also check for fights as well when the time is approaching.

As far as weight training, here in thailand, their training schedule is so rigorous there is little time for anything else but direct training. They do pull ups, chins, push ups and some dumbbell work as well as neck training with weighted ends. Some might do a bit more with the dumbbells or whatever but thats about it. They train twice a day on top of all the running in the morning. Its alot!

In the west, the fighters dont train like that so they supplement in some strength training, not everyone of course but some do. And it works like it does for the pro boxers. And when I mean strength training I mean specific training to aid in the sport not some randomn weight lifting routines.

You said you are skinny but what about your power, speed and your endurance? Is it hindering your ability to perform(as in do you feel weak, unable to take body or leg shots, lack of power in your kicks)? If you are performing well then you will be tall for your weight class which might be an advantage if you work the right tools. You can consider weight training or nutrition if there is a need to bulk up. But if you are doing everything well and are strong then continue improving your technique, power, speed and endurance.

Right now, settle in and find a good school then it will launch from there.

Good luck and let us know how you make out

[Garland]

'Thai fighter no need bigger arm or bigger neck becuase Thai fighter need strong and tight muscle to be quick move fast.'

Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion and a lot of people try and argue with his (but I'm yet to see any famous fighter challenge his opinion, just internet/keyboard warriors).

I know Ajarn Sakasem, Saekson Janjira, and many, many others promote weight training for fighters, especially to develop the neck or shadow boxing with dumbells...it may not be full on-weight training, but they do train with weights.

[Akira]

I wouldn't call spot specific exercises or shadow boxing with dumbells an 'intense weight training program', which is what the OP was asking about.

[Garland]

I wouldn't call spot specific exercises or shadow boxing with dumbells an 'intense weight training program', which is what the OP was asking about.

...well...it's semantics...but, yep...not an "intense weight training program".

But a "big neck" is a good thing for the clinch...in fact, strong neck muscles can help prevent most knock-outs.