As a Thai Boxer, say yes or no to weights ?

[docthai]

HISTORY Shows ... FACTS Show ... right??

HISTORY and Fight FACTS show:

Those that lift weights as a fighter get KO'd right??

Because they are slower and should spend more time on Fight movements and not on lifting weight movements.

Right??

[george stando]

In the west, strength training with weights is used by alot of top athletes to aid in their sport and we see it alot in western boxing. Its a different type of routine to bolster up weaknesses. Some do more, others do less. Some do no weight training. I think alot of people tend to think of it in bodybuilding terms which would be detrimental to the muay thai fighter and not strength and endurance work which is what it is.

[Hoshi_Jack]

Im new here, and a bit new to the martial arts, but I have been weightlifting on and off for three years. During the periods where I was consistently weightlifting and keeping up with cardio I was in much better shape overall than I was just jogging and doing body weight exercises. My energy level was higher and I developed more during those periods. This could be because I was sixteen when I started, but as of 19 im still seeing increased performance now that im taking back up weightlifting. This of course varies depending on the individual, but overall I think everyone should consider incorporating it at least once a week just to see how they respond to it.

[jubaji]

"Hoshi Jack"? What is it you 'want' Jack?

[aseepish]

"Hoshi Jack"? What is it you 'want' Jack?

He might be Star Jack.

[jubaji]

Good point.

[pstevens]

I've always lifted weights since high school, because I played football for a short time and kept with the weights. It just became something I enjoyed doing. However, I was a novice at weight training and it affected my movements in martial arts. I was very stiff due to simply increasing weight.

When I started doing MT in college, my trainer introduced me to polymetrics and correct conditioning. I learned what it really meant to be in shape.

Fast forward to today and I don't lift weights anymore. However, I still do sets of various body-weight exercises. My joints aren't the same anymore, so I train technique and power through bag work and other drills. The Thais have been doing this for centuries, so I figure it can't be all that bad.

[Ghost]

lets remember that thais know nothing about weights training. its not somethig they are good at, so they dont know how to use it.

weights training is very useful if you are using it to improve absolute strength. its like doing bodyweight exercises but with more weight therefore more effect.

[docthai]

WEIGHT training is NOT needed in Muay Thai ... do NOT waste your time.

I have done WEIGHT training for over 20 years, I look very strong and I am strong in certain areas BUT in Muay Thai I have had many Thais smaller and younger than me show un-believable strength in Clinching ... it is sad how weak I am compared to these fighters WHOM Never have lifted a Weight!!

[-FIGJAM-]

doc, did you try and build mass or did you train for muay thai when you were lifting?

I have found that through specific routines that weights have helped, strength, power, speed and endurance. Hardly see how that is a bad thing.

Remember, speed helps the power behind a punch and kick, as does timing and positioning. which is why you may find that they have it over you.

Just because you can bench a 100kg, doesnt mean you are going to out punch someone who doesnt bench at all

[docthai]

It is not a Bad thing ... just no time for it and it does not get true Muay Thai strength.

I lifted at the age of 11 ... I started to play American Football. In my 20's I lifted for Strength and Body Building so you are right ... I never lifted for Muay Thai.

But again, why do we try to RE-Invent the Wheel ... by FACTS Muay Thai fighters have Superman Strength with out Weights and I have trained at more than 20 gyms in Thailand. PLUS who has the time in Muay Thai if you are truly training in Muay Thai SIX days a week and TWO times a day ... I am tired and don't have time to lift.

Maybe because I am 46 yrs. old now ... very few young Americans can do what I do but youth is a big factor. I guess DO what you want but FACTS show Muay Thai does not need weights.

[Ghost]

you dont need weights thats clear, but it makes you better, ive never had trouble in the clinch wiht thais in terms of strength, weights training makes you stronger, period, there is no getting around science.

also in terms of training 6 days a week twice a day, thats not always the best method for westerners, and if you do, its worth swapping out some bag work for weight training.

100 rounds a week on the bag and no weights training vs 80 rounds of bag work + weights training ill take the weights. the more variety in your training the better.

you can bet your ass ramon dekker did weight training look at his power same with mike tyson etc

we really need to get away from this "the thais know best" idea.
Yes they are good at what they do, but its NOT a given that they do everything the BEST way possible, we know what they do does work though.

[docthai]

How many Thais have you Clinched with??

Are you hanging out in the Thai Bars??

Typical Western mind set, new kid on the block thinks they know it all ... then
they Label Science to try to justify their short time experience.

I am done talking because some people are just not teachable or worth talking
to ... especially when they deny over 100 years of life facts of Muay Thai.

Muay Thai FAM in Thailand ROCKS!!

R. Deckers is good, one the best Westerns but he still never fully became a Champ
or the Thais in Thailand. Coban never lifted weights ... hmmm is that science.

Just having fun, it is all good ... keep up the training. ;-)

[fire cobra]

Gota agree with Doc here guys,Ive done Muay Thai for more than 25 years and coached some big people I am around 70kgs,I can out clinch most of them strength wise even though they can bench press like 180 kgs,its a different strength for sure,Recently(This year) I went on a weight training programme to try and help with joint pain that I am having,After 3 months and 6kgs weight gain I gave up because I was getting shoulder burn out quicker when I clinched etc,also the weight gain made me feel slower,I wasnt stronger and it didnt help my joints,ok maybe I didnt stay with it long enough but it didnt feel right.

Weights can help and are used in a lot of camps in Thailand as Im sure Doc,Ghost etc know,however its just dumbells and lifght circuit type stuff at the end of a workout.

Yep Im with Doc,the Thais have it right and pound for pound(theres the key) they are very strong.

P.S Doc..Ghost is no newbie to Muay Thai having lived and trained in Thailand.

[Ghost]

yeah the type of weight training i am a fan of is ross boxing style stuff, check out infinite intensity"book". not regular weights as such but some of that as well.