Listener’s questions

Jesse Schmidt • April 15, 2019
A green bag filled with envelopes including one with the letter r on it

Every week we get bombarded by questions from all over the world. Below is an example of just a few of the questions we get asked on a regular basis.

A question mark is drawn on a piece of paper next to a pen and pencils.

Q: Will taking a ballet class improve my footwork for boxing?

A: Taking dance classes (no matter what kind) will not make a difference in how well you box. Your time would be much better spent working on boxing specific footwork. shadow boxing, sparring etc.

To be helpful in improving sports performance, movement patterns need to be specific. Boxing has a specific kind of movement. There are no degrees of specificity. Either something is specific or it is not. Specific means explicit, particular, or definite not sort of or similar to.

Choosing dissimilar activities in hopes that they may improve performance in a totally different sport, is a mistake many coaches and athletes make. The only real possible benefits to taking ballet class are:

1. You may become a better dancer (in this case a better ballet dancer)

2. You may gain a placebo effect feeling that as you notice improvement in one area (dance) you will feel it must be having a positive carry over to another area (boxing).

3. You may find that you actually prefer wearing tights and leaping through the air more than getting punched in the face.

So in closing, unless you have a burning desire to become good / better at ballet, concentrate on boxing.

A clock with the words time for answers on it

Q: Can strength training improve an athlete’s quickness?

A: Quickness is a product of many factors, including but not limited to: (1) the amount of muscle on the body (2) the amount of body fat (3) the lean muscle mass to total body weight ratio (4) skill level of the individual in question (5) bodily proportions (6) motivation.

One of the easiest ways to accelerate the development of quickness is to increase your lean muscle mass (up to a point) and or increase your body’s ability to produce maximal force. Increasing lean muscle mass will favorably change your ratio of muscle mass to total body weight. Once you have reached an optimal weight (the most lean muscle mass you can gain without slowing down) you should then focus on improving Mass-Specific- Force. The most effective way to accomplish these goals is through goal appropriate strength training combined with a well balanced diet. See my S.P.I.C.E. article for more helpful information.

A brown bag with the word mail on it is sitting on a white surface.

TAKU’s NOTE: Listen in to this weeks podcast episode #43 as we answer more questions from some of our many listeners around the country and around the world.

Experience the TNT Strength difference with a free workout.

START YOUR FITNESS TRANSFORMATION WITH A

FREE WORKOUT

Complete the form and we'll set up an appointment for you.

Recent Articles

TNT Strength client
By Liam "TAKU" Bauer July 7, 2025
When it comes to women and strength training—especially women over 50—the myths run deep and wide. As a coach with decades of experience helping people of all ages and abilities get stronger, I’ve seen firsthand how damaging these outdated ideas can be. But here’s the truth: strength training is not just for young athletes or men who want to get "jacked." In fact, if you’re a woman over 50, strength training might be the most powerful tool you have to reclaim your health, boost your confidence, and age with strength and grace.
Jesse Schmidt TNT Strength coach with client
By Liam "TAKU" Bauer June 30, 2025
Let’s set the record straight: losing your balance as you age is not inevitable. Despite what many believe, balance isn’t something you just “lose” over time like your hairline or your car keys. The truth is, most balance issues that show up later in life stem from something far more preventable—loss of strength and muscle mass.
HIT UNI Logo
By Liam "TAKU" Bauer June 23, 2025
Let me ask you something… If I told you that you could build strength, enhance performance, and reduce your risk of injury in less than one hour a week, would you believe me? No gimmicks. No magic pills. Just science-backed, time-tested strength training that works. Welcome to the world of High Intensity Training, or H.I.T. — the TNT Strength way.
TNT Strength  Training
By Liam "TAKU" Bauer June 16, 2025
At TNT Strength, we coach you to train safely and effectively, one controlled repetition at a time — from the very first to the very last.
Clients working out at TNT Strength in Oakland
By Liam "TAKU" Bauer June 2, 2025
When people think about injury risk during strength training, they often imagine something going wrong during the last rep of a hard set. That’s when you’re exhausted, your muscles are screaming, and the weight feels impossible. It seems like the danger would be highest right there, right?... Wrong.
Longevity image bar chart growth
By Liam "TAKU" Bauer May 26, 2025
In Part 1 and Part 2 , we discussed why everyone needs strength training and how to do it efficiently. Now let’s talk about making it stick.
TNT Strength  Training Client
By Liam "TAKU" Bauer May 12, 2025
In Part 1 , we established that strength is foundational to living a healthier, more functional life. But let’s face it: time is tight, and not everyone wants to spend hours in the gym. The good news? You don’t have to.
TNT Strength Client Training with Liam
By Liam "TAKU" Bauer May 5, 2025
Part 1: The Foundation – Strength is the Root of All Physical Ability
TNT Strength  Training
By Liam "TAKU" Bauer April 28, 2025
At TNT Strength, safety isn’t just a priority—it’s the foundation of everything we do. Just like doctors take the Hippocratic Oath and vow to “first, do no harm,” we as strength coaches hold ourselves to a similar standard. Every rep, every session, every program we build is designed with that guiding principle in mind: help first, never harm.