I will make this as short as possible because I am sure you get plenty of questions. I would like to build my body to be able to pass ranger training or even better be able to become a pararescuemen. I would like to know your opinion on weather boxing or weight lifting will help me more toward the expressed end. I am 18, in 11th grade, and weigh 130 at 5’11”. I would get a 4 year degree before joining ether branch so I have some time. If I started weight training I would be doing workouts with a friend who has been training for about 2 years. He tends to think hard weight training will give me the best, fastest, most results.

Weight training workouts would consist of bench press, squats, dead lifts, running on my track team, calisthenics, and I know there will be more but I don’t know what they are called *facepalm*. My friend would probably help me to start with.

I have found a boxing gym and attended classes. Their 3 hour workout is at follows: 1 hour running up and down hills, at least 5 different types of abdominal exercises 10+ reps with 3 sets, 105+ calf raises in sets of 35 reps, 100+ pushups in sets of 10 with 15+ jumping jacks in between, tire flipping 30+min. There are many more exercises; too many to list.

I am having trouble deciding because boxing struck me as fitting well with what will be required of me in ranger school, but I also feel like I need to bulk up which weight lifting will help me with. Maybe I am missing something and I can bulk up while I box. I want to pick the way that will give me the best results the fastest so I can become my best physically and mentally by the time I enlist. I am willing to work Hard. I would appreciate any help you can give me.

FYI: I posted on a Airforce SF forum and this is a response i got:

“Ok first off don’t be concerned so much with bulking up, when I first started training before I enlisted I was 6’0″ 145 now I’m 6’0” 175 and I had an easier time at 145 pushing reps than I do now. Not saying avoid bulk but weight will come don’t stress on putting it on.

Also, I can’t speak for all the SOF career fields but the AF doesn’t use weight training in the pipeline for its jobs. Weight training is a great thing on days you want to mix it up but you will be doing more pull ups and pushups than bench press and dead lifts in the pipeline.

Another thing to consider is this, according to your post you have 4-5 years before you attempt at something like this. Do one program for a month or two and then change to something else till you find what works for you. The biggest thing is be aware of your body, take care of it and don’t hurt yourself and remember you are what you eat. You can do all the exercise you want but without a good diet its futile.”

Other answers were similar. I am wanting to know if I started weight training would I be able to get to a point in a few years that I could do pushup after pushup and laugh at you while I do it? As well as situps, pullups, and flutter kicks? Can you ,since you started gaining, do these exercises well? Can you do 72 proper form reps of any one of them ,besides pullups, in 2 min? Do you feel like Weight training will help you, or me, get to that point? The fighting that comes with boxing is secondary to me as is the physique that bodybuilding gives. I just want to preform well in training, and if weight training can give me that I want to know. Thanks for your time and patience!