Muscle or just toned?

[jarv]

Hi,

I have just taken up boxing training and wanted to ask a question about arm muscle. To say I havent got much at the moment would be an understatement. What I am wondering is how important is muscle to build up? Would I naturally build up muscle just boxing or should it be supplemented with weights or is that "bad" muscle? And how important is upper arm muscle to the power of your boxing - i.e does upper arm muscle add power to the punch or is natural speed and technique without muscle more imporant?

Thanks

[Barn]

Just listen to your trainer and ask him questions, he'll know what to do to meet your specific needs.

I would leave weights out of the picture for now. Punching the bag, shadowboxing and exercises will all help muscular endurance and fast twitct muscles which are much more important.

If you don't already have much strength doing the things above will give you some strength also.

Depends what kind of punches you want, upper arm muscle will add force but, reduce speed like a George Foreman punch. Whereas technique a little stenght and speed will give you a MannY Pacquao type punch so I would setlle for the following. Seeing you are point scoring and not trying to KO anyone.

[cja07007]

Doing dips, chinups, and pullups sounds like they might be your best option here and then focus on boxing. These woulnt bulk you up to much but will build good lean muscle for boxing and if your looking to add some muscle where your lacking some if you stick with it so your really able to rep them out I think you will be going in the right direction. I also think they help with punching power especially dips.