Having huge muscles have always been synonymous to having strong
punching power. We have always believed that a man with large muscles
can punch harder than an average built man. Lifting weights increases
muscle mass and the size of skeletal muscles. But, does lifting weights
increase punching power?
Weight lifting is a weight training that is focused on developing
strength. Basically, lifting weights uses the force of gravity to oppose
the force generated by your muscles. When we lift weights, we feel
stronger because once we finish our lifting exercises, our muscles
momentarily swell, making us look bigger and more muscular. But whenever
you are lifting weights, you are only able to feel that you can be able
to lift much more heavier equipment by continuously training. Punching
is not about being able to lift your opponent easily. It is about
generating enough force to slam your fists into something or someone.
Punching
power is all about technique and practice of your punching form.
Punching is about generating force, which means that a punch’s strength
could be determined by mass multiplied by acceleration. Basically, this
means that if you have huge hands and could snap or move your arm fast,
you will be able to have a strong punching power. But, this is not
always the case. A lot of variables affect the power of a punch. Your
stance needs to be right, your feet need to be planted in a surface and
keeping you balanced. A lot of boxer count on their footwork for
balance, the momentum of their punches also start from the pivot motion
of their feet going through their thighs and shoulders until it finally
reaches their fist. This is the acceleration. Punching is also a
snapping motion, this means that you need to be able to generate force
in the least amount of time.
Now we know that punching is all about generating enough force to
smash something. Lifting weights, on the other hand, is about resisting
force. Strong punches also require the relaxation of the muscles.
Although it is true that force is mass times acceleration, a stronger
punch would need to have more speed in order to inflict more damage. So,
the muscles would have to relaxed in order for someone to execute a
snapping motion very fast. Lifting weights decreases the muscles ability
to relax. Lifting weights makes our muscles stiff, which makes us slow.
Is this true? Try comparing a weight lifter with a ballet dancer, which
one moves faster and more fluidly?
A weight behind a punch, also known as its power, is not the muscles.
It is our body weight. This explains why the correct stance and motion
makes a punch harder. A fast snapping motion alongside using your feet,
hips and shoulder to concentrate your body weight behind your punch is
the secret to a harder punch. It needs all needs to be in one fast
motion in order for the punch to inflict a lot of damage.
So let’s review on the things that help make a punch stronger.
* Stance and balance
* Relaxed muscles to produce a fast snapping motion
* Correct technique to put body weight behind a punch
So does lifting weights increase punching power? The answer, no,
lifting weights does not help in making punches harder. Strong punches
are all about the combination of technique, speed, and stance.
Professionally trained boxers exhibit the one fast motion needed to land
a strong punch. It takes practice and speed. Lifting weights does not
increase punching power. So next time you pick on a small guy, be
careful. He could know how to punch.
Here are his main points for the reasons
REASON #1 – Punching is a snapping motion, NOT a pushing motion
REASON #2 – Powerful Punches Require Relaxation, NOT Strong Muscles
REASON #3 – Lifting Weights Can Decrease Your Muscle Relaxation Capacity
REASON #4 – The Weight Behind Your Punches Is NOT Your Muscle
REASON #5 – Punching Power Doesn’t Guarantee Damage Delivered
F=M*A , so I would say it depends how much acceleration you are giving up for the mass.
