Expert: Jack Rose - 10/11/2010

Question
QUESTION: one: what are your thoughts on using just weight training, just a weight vest or combining both to get stronger.
two: before i head back to the boxing gym i intend on getting in shape and increasing my reach. i'm six foot even and i grew my reach from 72 3/4 to 74 1/2 in a few months. some of the growth is on my shoulders (particularly my left one) but seems mostly my arms due to the measurements and newly gained stretch marks....Have you ever heard of anyone doing this and what are your thoughts on this method?

ANSWER: Caleb,

I don't see any benefits from a weight vest for building strength. You need to contract your muscles. I would suggest a full body workout involving each muscle group. Just remember that weights are a bonus to a boxer, not a necessity.
I'm not sure what you meant by "I grew my reach".
I am assuming you are within your growth years as a teenager and your body is still growing. So what you've got is what you've got as far as your reach.

good luck

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the strength answer. Most consider me strong and i weight trained for several years and im finding it hard to cut down on it.
What i meant by "grew my reach" was that I used a mixture of creating microfractures and bone stretching with weights to lengthen my arms. I gained 1 3/4 inches in three months and, yeah im 19, but that was the most I gained at any time. Your thoughts on it and do you believe a guy could have too short/long of a reach? Thanks.

Answer
Well, If your reach has actually increased then that is always a good thing. Whether or not it was because of your procedure or because you were still growing I would have to see what kind of research has been done to support that.
Reach is always good. But only if you know how to use it. In  boxing ring, an accomplished fighter with the reach advantage will always have the edge over an accomplished fighter with the shorter reach.

Expert boxer always beats expert fighter. Only when the boxer doesn't execute does he allow the fighter a chance to win.

good luck