If you train hard you won't need to weight train. So do so if you like. Just be sure to stretch a lot so you don't get the tightness often associated with "bulking up".
FYI I know of a senior Uechi black belt who is a body builder so it's not an issue as long as you stay flexible.
Proper, functional weight training is a definite edge.
However, a lot of people don't know how to weight train right.
If you're wanting to get a boost in your martial arts performance, the first step is to look at your current overall physical condition- How good a shape are you really in? This is a tricky question to answer, unless you're willing to take the time and money to have an expert put you through your paces in an evaluation- However, a good general guideline is to start by building a good base. Even if you're in relatively good shape, improving your general physical condition before you start a specific regimen is a good idea.
Assuming you've got a good base to work from, you're going to want to switch tracks to training specifically for your style as well as continuing with some general conditioning. For martial artists in general, you're going to want to improve your 'Power'. Now, Power is a concept that can be misunderstood, so I'm going to break down how someone trains for power- They must improve the amount of weight they move over time. If that wording confuses you, relax- It just means that you have to lift progressively heavier weights in the same time you lifted lighter ones, or lift the lighter weights faster.
The two portions of 'Speed strength' [the technical term for Power/Force] are 'Explosive Strength', or the ability to fire a lot of muscles at once, and 'Acceleration', the ability to keep those muscles going as you fire more muscles and therefore move faster.
You're also going to want to do some Aerobic conditioning, as that has a great deal of benefits for your stamina and your general health.
Finally- Don't worry about 'Getting Big'. Barring illegal supplements, or focusing only on your 'Limit Strength' instead of your functional strength, it's virtually impossible to increase your muscle mass to the point where it will interfere with your performance. There's a reason that Bantamweights only very rarely tangle with Heavyweights of equal skill.
Push ups, pull ups, dips, and chin ups ARE weight training. Those are isometric weight training exercises. Isometric weight training is ideal for martial arts because you don't get too big, bulky, or slow, and you still have a lot of "functional strength" to generate effective punching, kicking, and grappling power. You can do some free weights and machines without getting too big and slow, but I would make isometric training the core of your weight training work out. Isometric training is something boxers have been doing for over 100 years.
I'll tell you something else. In addition to big muscles making you slower, they also use a tremendous amount of oxygen. That's why Brock Lesnar was always so winded and gasping for air at the end of a fight. In addition, the bigger you are, the harder your heart has to work to pump blood to every part of your body. That's why so many retired NFL linemen have enlarged hearts. That's the price they pay for being a "human wall" for so many years. Also, having a neck over 17.5 inches greatly increases the risk of sleep apnea, so be as strong as you can be within realistic parameters.
If the intention is functional strength then sure.
For functional strength you train movements not muscle groups. When you punch and kick the muscles work together in a chain of motion not in isolation.
Heavy squats, deadlifts, overhead presses with barbells which forces you to engage your core are among the best weighted exercises you can do if performance is your goal.
If you are into competition you have to weight train to give you an edge on competitors of your same skill level and size. Small weights lots of reps. If you don't compete bodyweight exercises are fine but the small weight training never hurts.
If you weight train your muscles will get large. When you are training or in a fight, your blood will rush to those muscles expanding them even more. Your mobility will be effected so no, body weight exercises are the best.
Well I personally think you should train your body as a whole. You really don't want to eventually get on the bodybuilding bandwagon as a martial artist.
You can weight train if you want. As long as you don't bulk up.
should i weight train for each muscle or should i do just bodyweight exercises like push ups, pull-ups, dips, chin ups etc.
