Expert: Joe Hofer - 10/25/2006

Question
Hi Joe.

I have been into weight training for two years now and i'm really liking the results/gains i have been having so far. From a skinny guy at 5'11" and 140 pounds, i now weigh a comfortable 190 pounds (still some stubborn fat around the midsection).

I recently decided to include boxing into my daily (5 days a week) gym regimen. I revised my program and decided to make it 6 days. That is, M-W-F weights and T-Th-S boxing. I rest on Sundays. Do you think this is too much?

My body seems to be handling the new routine quite well. The first week was painful, but now im ok. Im now on my fourth week, and the only thing i've noticed is that 'boxing soreness' lingers just a bit longer than 'weight training soreness'. It's no biggie. They say always listen to your body, and i'd like to think im hearing it quite well.

The thing is i just can't quite give up weight training. I want to continue to 'grow'. I've read somewhere in this site that you should eventually give up serious weight training, or at least give more priority to boxing. Is this really a bitter pill i will have to swallow? I'm getting quite serious as well about boxing and competing.

I want to be a 'big' boxer. Muscular, defined, toned, big, but still fast. Are all these really possible to achieve?

I still keep my old routine of lifting heavy weights with low reps and sets. And when im at the boxing gym i try to work on my speed as well. I could maybe compete at a light heavyweight class? At 190 how much should i cut down to?

Thanks in advance for your advice.


Chris A.
Manila, Philippines  

Answer
If you want to become a pro bodybuilder you should give up boxing seriously.  Also to maximize your muscle size you should just do weights.  On the otherhand what you are doing is not too much, as many boxers workout 6 days a week.  The more you practice boxing the better you will be and it is hard to do if you do weights all of the time.  You do need to incorporate flexibility exercises for boxing.  If you want to compete at light heavy you need to be 175 pounds.

Thanks,

Joe