Lifting heavy weights will make you slow is a myth that has been around for many years. It doesn't sound like it's going to be dying anytime soon either. This myth comes from boxing skill coaches who know nothing about exercise physiology and strength/conditioning. Ask any coach what is their main goal in training their fighter? Their answer usually is, to make their fighter faster, and more powerful for their upcoming fight The fact of the matter is that most fighters are bloody weak! These coaches don't understand that to get fast, you first have to get strong. To get strong, you have to lift heavy weights. Performing a hundred push ups and lifting light weights for over 25 reps won't get you strong. Training with high repetitions won't, but lifting with high reps are what a boxing coach will often have his fighters perform.



Boxing skill coaches also fail to understand that strength and speed, are the prerequisites for power. So to be powerful, you have to be strong and fast. There is no other way around this formula. If you ignore it, you don't reach your full potential.

Now don't get me wrong, if you do nothing but lift heavy weights, they can make you slow. The key is though you must combine speed strength exercises with your strength training to increase the rate of force development. This combination of training means will then make you more explosive. The thing I question is, don't you increase your rate of force development hitting the speed and double end bag? Yes you do. Keep in mind, by rate of force development, I'm talking about how fast you move an object. That's the key, how fast you move. If you wanna be fast, you have to move fast.

So even doing eight weeks of a base strength training block won't make you slow. You can add more speed exercise in a future block or add both speed exercises and strength exercise together in the same training block to increase speed.

The results of adding these training means is you have a fighter who is truly faster and stronger. That's what ends fights quick, explosive power. To be explosive you first need to be strong so you can be fast. Speed is born from strength. Weak fighters are slow for a reason. When you are strong and fast, then you have true power. Once you are powerful behind sound skill, you are a dangerous fighter. I hope I've shed some light on this old wives tale for you. The next time you hear a boxing coach say lifting heavy weights will make you slow, you will know better to listen to that ignorance.