I think many boxers work out without weights because they and their coaches don’t know any better. Old myths. I would do bodyweight stuff for sure, but increasing your maximal strength is only going to help you in the ring of any combat sport.
Mike Tyson didn’t use weights for anything besdides barbell shrugs, but he did box jumps and 500-800 dips a day in addition to all the work his legs were getting from running and exercise bike riding.
No offense but boxers might not be the best examples. First off it’s a completely different animal when compared to a real fight. Boxing requires you to be able to fight much longer and often times faster paced.
Also guys like Arturo Gatti are not always the best role models. Same goes for genetic freaks like Tyson.
[quote]TroyMcClure wrote:
No offense but boxers might not be the best examples. First off it’s a completely different animal when compared to a real fight. Boxing requires you to be able to fight much longer and often times faster paced.
Also guys like Arturo Gatti are not always the best role models. Same goes for genetic freaks like Tyson. [/quote]
True. At age 13, Mike Tyson was 5’8 and 210 lbs SOLID! It took three grown men to stop a fight he was involved in.
Boxing and martial arts in general are in the dark ages when it comes to physical conditioning.
Tyson might not have used (or needed) weight training, but Evander Holyfield did.
Gaining or losing weight can be a tricky thing for a fighter. What works well for one might not work so well for another.
My favorite lift is the dead lift. I like it because it requires you to use your upper body in unison with your lower body, which really helps my punching. It is also an effective way to get really strong.
This is a slight tangent, and has probably been asked before, but is anyone training Matt Furey style? That is calisthenics only?
I just finished reading combat conditioning, and while he makes a good case for calisthenics, he does not exactly have a strong point against weight training. He seems to be looking for excuses to condemn it (good marketing strategy?). True, calisthenics can help a lot with strength-endurance, but he never really talked about relative or absolute strength.
Genrally exercises that build the core and exercises that make you more explosive are key. Some exercises for shoulder endurance are great as well (once you cannot keep your hands up it is light out!) Some great exercises for explosive power are:
Dumbbell or Kettlebell Swings
Dumbbell or kettbell snatches and cleans
Dumbbell or Kettlebell Jerks or push presses (high rep jerks are great for shoulder endurance)
With Barbells
Power Cleans and High Pulls are great. High pulls are easier to learn.
Push Presses and Jerks are great but I would limie these to low reps. DO high rep jerks with dumbbells or kettlebells (one arm at a time)
For the core:
The Turkish Get-up is great (especially for grapplers)
Side Press
Windmill
Full contact Twist
Headstand Leg raise
Some great bodyweight exercises include:
Handstand Pushups
Hindu Squats
Hindu Pushups
One Legged squats
Finally, it really depends on what your weaknesses are regarding program design. If you have weak legs, lots of barbell squats. Weak hamstrings, deadlifts, glute ham raises, swings are great.
Hope this helps
Mike Mahler
I lost all respect and interest, in Furey when I saw his “If George Bush did this workout, he could beat up Saddam Hussein” routine. He ends up looking like a used car salesman, who’ll do anything to make a buck. Rather than an effective strength/fitness coach.
With that in mind, I find a quick set of hindu push-ups to be a great pick-me-up in the morning. You can find as many people who love neck bridges as hate them. And I think hindu squats are on par with jumping jacks…probably good for you somehow, but they just don’t feel the “right” exercise.
Some calistenics can be challenging. The real issue is what your individual needs are and your genetics.
I have a freind who is naturally big and weighs 270. He only does calistenics. He’s done BJJ and Greco Roman wrestling for years and is tough as hell. It works for him.
When I have had nothing else I’ve been able to get in some good workouts doing calistenics, but I prefer weights. I think you can more precisely control the resistance and your progress.
Being able to control your own body weight can be a rewarding challenge.
[quote]Minotaur wrote:
I lost all respect and interest, in Furey when I saw his “If George Bush did this workout, he could beat up Saddam Hussein” routine. He ends up looking like a used car salesman, who’ll do anything to make a buck. Rather than an effective strength/fitness coach.
With that in mind, I find a quick set of hindu push-ups to be a great pick-me-up in the morning. You can find as many people who love neck bridges as hate them. And I think hindu squats are on par with jumping jacks…probably good for you somehow, but they just don’t feel the “right” exercise.[/quote]
I have yet to give this system of training a try. I’m thinking that after I finish my current program (Meltdown Training), I’ll give Furey’s system a try for 4 weeks, and see if it has a place within my regimen.
I see no point in following his programs…just include the moves in your current schedule.
No offense to anyone…but he’s like a bad and un-creative version of pavel. Lots of products with the same info again and again, sneaky informercials…you know the drill.
You can lifts weights to get stronger, without putting on size, though. It’s just a matter of lowering the volume, while maintaining the intensity and load.
It’s all in the technique, biomechanics, and transfer of power. Size is realtively unimportant compared to those factors.