Is it true that lifting weights will slow your explosiveness and reflexes in Martial Arts or Boxing?

Question

Someone told me that lifting weights will slow down your reaction speed when punching? Is this true for the most part?

Answer 1

It depends on which muscles you are working out but here's a generalized answer- If you have larger muscles then it takes longer for blood to flow, and as you use those muscles they fill up with blood and acids. So basically the bigger your muscles are the slower you will become over time during a match. Of course you need muscle mass for explosive strength, so the best thing is to find the right ratio for your body type/stamina. Also if you work out the right muscle groups and don't build up unecessary muscle mass this isn't so much a problem. Most punching power comes from muscles in the back, legs, triceps, and TECHNIQUE :)

Answer 2

I think this misconception is brought about by the average person's limited knowledge of the sport of weightlifting and bodybuilding. There is a big difference between the two, the former focuses on increasing one's power to enable one to lift heavier weights, while the latter focuses on increasing muscle mass for aesthetic purposes. To become a weightlifter or powerlifter means you increase your muscle's explosiveness and thereby allow you to lift very heavy weights in short intense bursts of power as shown in the "Clean and Jerk" exercise movement. This ability can translate into stronger punches and kicks. Bodybuilding however doesn't necessarily make you more powerful, it merely makes your muscle mass increase in size so you can look bulky and appear strong. These bulky muscles can hamper and restrict movement and thereby slow you down, since you are no longer able to achieve full range of motion. So in answer to your question, No, it's not true that lifting weights as long as it's done properly, will slow your explosiveness and reflexes, as a matter of fact, it tends to enhance it. What slows you down is bodybuilding, especially the artificially augmented(read: Steroids enhanced) type of bodybuilding.

Answer 3

No, just keep stretching the muscles before and after workouts. This helps keep your range of motion.
Do cardio workouts in order to help your heart, lungs, and leg muscles adjust to supporting larger muscle mass, or you will tire out more easily.
When you are tired, your reflexes slow down.

Try playing a running sport, like soccer. It helps to keep your agility and stamina up.

You may still lose a very small amount of speed, but the stamina and strength you gain far outweigh the losses.

Answer 4

No. This is not true for the average weightlifter. It will actually increase your speed from my experience. Just make sure you stretch everyday to stay loose.

This seems to be a persistent roomer among guys who don't lift. The "slows you down" excuse is just that, it is an excuse some martial artist use to not lift. Mostly I think they just don't want to lift.
Martial artists should try to do supplemental weight-lifting and cardio in addition to their martial training

Answer 5

Lifting weights not only makes you stronger but also increases the reactiveness of your nerve endings making it possible to contract your muscles harder and faster hence making you faster...

Oh and Physics says speed = power...

One other thing, a flexible muscle is a strong muscle... Many body builders can do full splits...

Oh and all these ding bats that say to do body weight exercise instead of weights are idiots, your muscles have no brain, they can't tell if it is your own weight or an iron bar or a sandbag or your mumma, it only knows that it is heavy!

Answer 6

It's true, but your replacing speed with power.

The issue in boxing (I don't know anything about martial arts) is that there are weight classes. If your naturally 150, you don't want to go putting on 15 lbs of muscle. The guys that are naturally 165 will be just as fast as you, and naturally stronger. Built better for taking punches too. If it wasn't for weight classes, bigger is normally better.

Answer 7

It's true that gains in muscle mass decrease flexibility and therefore speed.

What you want to do to avoid this is work on medium weight but explosively. This will keep your muscles from being over developed while letting you increase your striking power.

Also doing bodyweight exercises help to avoid gaining too much mass while still allowing gains in strength.

Answer 8

Spidertiger440 is absolutely correct with his "excuses" answer. If you need further proof, just watch any heavyweight fight. Whether it's boxing, kickboxing, or MMA. The big guys are fast (often they can't maintain the initial quickness, but that's not part of your question).

Answer 9

whoever told you this IS AN IDIOT

seriously
weight lifting...when combined with a stretching/practice routine will only lead to improvements in performance

Answer 10

no, in fact if you lift for strength, your explosiveness/power will increase.