Building Big Muscles, Does it Sacrifice Speed?

by Matthew Tyrrell
(London, United Kingdo )

I've been weight training for months. The reason why I was doing so, initially, was to build up my body, however, I have recently realised that building up big muscles will lead to the decrease of your body speed, which I am worried about because I wish to become a highly-skilled martial artist. I really want to find a way of having a good, muscular body without having to lose my body's speed. Also, I wish to build up my strength without having too big muscles. I have always thought that lifting lighter weights but with more repititions builds up your strength, as well as your endurance.

I have always admired Bruce Lee's physique, and I am convinced that it is the perfect build to have if you want to be fast and agile, as well as strong. Can you suggest a number of exercises and methods that I can do to build up a body just like Bruce Lee's? Thank you.

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Dec 09, 2013
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by: Tarzan

I would like to correct this common misconception, that you need to load more weight every time you lift, we'll that works but if you can guarantee that your form and posture are correct. Mean while it's not about adding weight, well, true is, it's about adding the right amount of stress to stimulate muscle growth, you can add that through progressive calisthenics very safely (injury free) by changing leverage, ex: changing position (normal push ups to more advanced elevated push ups to more advanced handstand push ups to more advanced tiger bend ups).
You just have to apply the concept of progressive resistance.
By the way bruce lee did a lot of calisthenics after and before his back injury which was a result of lifting a heavy weight without warming out enough, the point is that he really relied mostly on calisthenics after his back injury but no only calisthenics, he also included from light to moderate weight lifting, but that was bruce, you don't have to copy him, see what works for you and always do different experimentation to reach your goals.
My last advice for you, want to stay injury free and become very fast, agile, endurance, strength, and super charged, stick to progressive calisthenics you won't regret it :)
Have a nice day & good luck :)
Dec 09, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Stay safe NEW
by: Tarzan

I would like to correct this common misconception, that you need to load more weight every time you lift, we'll that works but if you can guarantee that your form and posture are correct. Mean while it's not about adding weight, well, true is, it's about adding the right amount of stress to stimulate muscle growth, you can add that through progressive calisthenics very safely (injury free) by changing leverage, ex: changing position (normal push ups to more advanced elevated push ups to more advanced handstand push ups to more advanced tiger bend ups).
You just have to apply the concept of progressive resistance.
By the way bruce lee did a lot of calisthenics after and before his back injury which was a result of lifting a heavy weight without warming out enough, the point is that he really relied mostly on calisthenics after his back injury but no only calisthenics, he also included from light to moderate weight lifting, but that was bruce, you don't have to copy him, see what works for you and always do different experimentation to reach your goals.
My last advice for you, want to stay injury free and become very fast, agile, endurance, strength, and super charged, stick to progressive calisthenics you won't regret it :)
Have a nice day & good luck :)
May 17, 2011
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by: Pulzkit

If you admire Bruce Lee's physique, you should be aiming to get all the fat off your body, not to get bigger. Strength training only works if you overload progressively - meaning increasing the weight you lift every other week. Increasing the number of reps will only increase endurance and that too only to an extent.
Bruce lee had a sub 6 percent body fat level. That means 94 percent of his body was built of functional bone and muscle. If you watch most of the MMA fighters, you will find that they aren't exactly big. They have the adequate amount of muscle which they use to their advantage through conditioning.
I recommend you increase weights progressively and gain a significant amount of muscle mass and follow it with three months of cutting. That should get you ready for anything : lifting, throwing, grappling, punching. Find a balance that works for you.

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