Should I Lift Weights

[georgie]

just wonderin if i should lift heavy weights in conjunction with martial arts. ive been lifting for 17 years consistently and have gotten descent size and stength without drugs. im benching 380lbs & 225 for 28 reps at a bw of 195lbs. so im pretty strong but recently i decided to take another path of martial arts. i love it and i want to put the same dedication and commitment into it as much as lifting weights. will it slow down my punches and kicks? i want to study boxing and jeet kune do as well. but you guys know your shit and im a newbie so any advice for me would be greatly appreciated.

[Tom Yum]

Your hard work and persistence learned from lifting will pay off if you apply it to martial arts. Benching 380 at 195 is really good.

I'd minimize your lifting to 2 days a week, just to maintain what you've gained. If you get into boxing or muay thai, your stamina and power will skyocket.

When I started muay thai a few years ago, I thought I was in good shape; I lifted like you and had over a 1,000 pound total at a weight of 168.

I lasted all of one round, the first time I started pad work. During the rest of that workout I kind of just kicked and punched at my own pace because I really wasn't in great shape that I thought I was. Within a few months, I was bangin' pads for 6-7 rounds and sparring 2-3. At my best, I could bang pads & bags for 10 rounds, spar for 5 and then I was on the ground in a pool of sweat.

Hey man, good luck to you!

[jubaji]

just wonderin if i should lift heavy weights in conjunction with martial arts. ive .

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Yes

[adacas]

lifting weights should not slow you down so long as you spread out your training to focus on speed. In fact strength training can help out your speed considerably. I mean do a regular 100 yard dash. Now add some weight like a weighted vest or tie a tire to you and do the same run. Sprinters lift all the time and they got the legs bodybuilders would kill for. You gotta be careful though cause some exercises don't mix well with weights. Like doing punches with dumbells in your hands will do nothing for you and risk injury to your elbows or something like that.

[georgie]

Thanx

i really appreciate the advice guys. im a lttle confused with somethin ive read though, it was in bruce lee' method of fighting book 2 and it said lee used to use small weighted cyllanders to puch and block with to gain speed and power. there were a pound each. is that outdated info or is lee right? shit sorry for all the questions but im hungry for knowledge like you guys were at my stage. one more. ido lots of pushups in my wadokai karate class(still a white belt) but its making my bench presses harder. i went down in reps as soon as i started doin pushups in classes. any suggestions? thanx again guys. by the way i love this forum nice peeps!

[ryangruhn]

The one thing that I have always been told to continue is to lift weights. No matter what condition you are in it always helps.

Gruhn

[SOUTHPAW]

Weights

georgie...yes, most definitely keep lifting. right now you are on a steep learning curve with your MA training. The fatigue, etc. that you experience is due to a lack of nueromuscular adaptation and efficiency. that will come with time and practice. Weight training will keep you strong and reduce chances of injury. you should reduce the volume though, so that you are fresh for skill training. I am assuming you are an experienced lifter though, so something like 2-3 days/week, focusing on explosive lifts (deads, squats, bench, snatch, C & J) would be your best bet. you shouldn't be concerned with increased mass/hypertrophy, but rather improving speed and power. As far as bench press being hindered by push ups...you are using the same muscles, they are fatigued! Hope this helps..good luck.

[ryangruhn]

snatch, C & J?

[adacas]

you know what its just that with weight lifting you've been increasing your strentgh but your endurance hasn't caught up and pushups are more muscular endurance. You will fatigue until your body adapts. I would slow down the weight training just a little so you catch up faster and hopefully you can catch up. I think that should work.