Any heavy bag users?

**Jax** · 12-16-2007, 07:28 PM

I got one for my husband for Christmas; he's been begging me for two years and I've always said no. I just didn't want to listen to him and his buddies going apeshit on it at home. Now that we've got more space, I figured now's the time. (It's not his only gift, but a fun one). Plus, this might give him a way to relieve stress?? I also got him some molded neoprene gloves. I'll let him open these Xmas day, then send him to the garage for the surprise.

My question: anybody have the wall-mount that swings away when not in use? I've read a few reviews, but there's not much online really that's posted by normal peeps. Would the platform stand that also accomodates a speed bag work better? Will this end up collecting dust? I'm thinking it would be fun to do a little kickboxing myself.

It's an 80# bag, FWIW.

**The Reverend Floater** · 12-16-2007, 07:55 PM

Everyday I learn of another person here who's not a dude.

**Hook** · 12-16-2007, 09:57 PM

Most of those speed bag stands won't work. If your garage has open rafters, just wrap a chain around one of them and call it a day. If you have a finished ceiling, a large screw in hook will do, just make sure you hit a rafter.
I had one mounted on a 2x4 screwed between two rafters to spread the load.

Most people start out hitting the bag too hard and damage their hand/wrist and stop using it. This leads to the dust collection part of your question.

If you mount it for kickboxing, you may want to put it away from a wall, so it doesn't hit the wall on kicks.

**Gman** · 12-16-2007, 10:30 PM

be careful when selecting a bad if you intend on using it for kicks. if you get a bag that is too hard you could fuck your foot up if you kick it wrong. almost better off getting a muay thai bag from fairtex or something.

**DonDenver** · 12-16-2007, 11:23 PM

^^^ good points.

A cool gift, great workout and stress reliever certainly; but your husband won’t enjoy it long term if he and his buds just smack the damn thing without knowing how to move, balance, and punch correctly…or it will end up collecting dust.

Your questions first: The wall mount with the swing away space saver is just really a toy for kids. If your husband [and you] are serious about using a heavy bag the best placement for the bag allows for a secured ceiling point [say basement or garage] with the bag drop suspended. You should be considering a useable free space at least 9 x 9 to allow for circular movement around the bag as well as managing the swing of the bag in its motion [your moving opponent]. This is the very art, skill and exercise benefit of a heavy bag and not just a target you throw haymakers at while you are flat footed facing straight on. Obviously the bag can be taken down when not in use to reclaim space.

Next best option is a bag on stand…which allows you to move the apparatus about and eliminates vibration carried throughout your home. However you will loose unabated movement around the bag as well as Heavy bags on stands have much less [real life opponent] action and pop. As for the speed bag; while the stand does double as a mount point and lessens noise and vibration; here you will really find a lesser experience with actual bag speed and snap on return. Optimizing your hand speed and coordination with various movements and routines really requires a fixed mount to a cement wall for greatest benefits. Always trade offs…

Heavy bags [speed bags] are fun and a great workout. Problem is they often start that way as a novelty but end up as you earlier mentioned, collecting dust. A most important consideration is getting proper instruction and coaching regarding techniques and base skills to keep you tracked correctly as you improve. Significant is also your joints and health as it regards just how to throw punches correctly without damage [both for heavy bag and speed bag] which is more important than just picking up some gloves. Further, movement is the most beneficial aspect where footwork, flowing motion and balance with punching coordination are the core of the workout.

I still use both the Heavy bag and Speed bag as I was taught by my father who was a boxer. I taught my daughters and they have consistently used and still enjoy. I’m sure you and your husband will as well. You may wish to check in with a local boxing club or coach for instruction. Strike well.

**RootSkier** · 12-17-2007, 07:11 AM

^^^nice^^^. Is there anything you can't learn in the Padded Room?

**Tuckerman** · 12-17-2007, 07:43 AM

I use my heavy bag about 5-6 times a week and its a great workout. I would suggest 16oz gloves for max benefit. My heavy bag hangs from one of the joists in my basement with a big piece of left over carpeting under it. It's not in the way too much. Have fun.

**Jax** · 12-17-2007, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by DonDenver

^^^ good points.

A cool gift, great workout and stress reliever certainly; but your husband won’t enjoy it long term if he and his buds just smack the damn thing without knowing how to move, balance, and punch correctly…or it will end up collecting dust.

Your questions first: The wall mount with the swing away space saver is just really a toy for kids. If your husband [and you] are serious about using a heavy bag the best placement for the bag allows for a secured ceiling point [say basement or garage] with the bag drop suspended. You should be considering a useable free space at least 9 x 9 to allow for circular movement around the bag as well as managing the swing of the bag in its motion [your moving opponent]. This is the very art, skill and exercise benefit of a heavy bag and not just a target you throw haymakers at while you are flat footed facing straight on. Obviously the bag can be taken down when not in use to reclaim space.

Next best option is a bag on stand…which allows you to move the apparatus about and eliminates vibration carried throughout your home. However you will loose unabated movement around the bag as well as Heavy bags on stands have much less [real life opponent] action and pop. As for the speed bag; while the stand does double as a mount point and lessens noise and vibration; here you will really find a lesser experience with actual bag speed and snap on return. Optimizing your hand speed and coordination with various movements and routines really requires a fixed mount to a cement wall for greatest benefits. Always trade offs…

Heavy bags [speed bags] are fun and a great workout. Problem is they often start that way as a novelty but end up as you earlier mentioned, collecting dust. A most important consideration is getting proper instruction and coaching regarding techniques and base skills to keep you tracked correctly as you improve. Significant is also your joints and health as it regards just how to throw punches correctly without damage [both for heavy bag and speed bag] which is more important than just picking up some gloves. Further, movement is the most beneficial aspect where footwork, flowing motion and balance with punching coordination are the core of the workout.

I still use both the Heavy bag and Speed bag as I was taught by my father who was a boxer. I taught my daughters and they have consistently used and still enjoy. I’m sure you and your husband will as well. You may wish to check in with a local boxing club or coach for instruction. Strike well.

All fantastic points- thanks a bunch! I'll be clearing out a space in the garage, and drop-hanging it from the ceiling as suggested. (Everlast logo placed at his extended arm's length). I got the bag weight based on his body weight, not mine, and I doubt he will kick it. Hitting the bag too hard and doing damage early on is something I had not thought of.

You guys rock. Thanks again.

**Joey Bag O' Donuts** · 12-17-2007, 12:25 PM

You will need hand wraps! I also suggest 16 oz gloves. Fairtex and Twins make decent gloves. Also, you may want to think of taking a "Beginners" class to learn proper technique. As everyone has said, you don't want to injure yourself because of bad technique.

**DonDenver** · 12-18-2007, 10:24 AM

Jax:

One last consideration; IMO one of the most easy to obtain views into the fundamentals of Boxing [hand taping, footwork, bag work, movement and how to deliver and place punches, counter punches etc.] is the 2004 movie Million Dollar Baby with Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and Hilary Swank. I found this movie provided the bandwidth of boxing aspects that would give you some excellent looks of the form and basics you should consider while you and your husband start out. The movie is an outstanding [boxing] teaching tool for men and women let alone the story line being powerful. Swank spoke of how preparing for this movie really busted her ass and put her into the best shape of her life…which is obvious looking at her in the movie. Not shortcut fake movie stunts but rather Swank could box…and box very well. Another obvious role model for women [hell, men for that matter] who look to boxing as a method for fitness is Laila Ali. I had the chance to see her jumping rope and working the Heavy bag in person. I was shocked at her power and speed and punch placement accuracy going up and down the bag. No question; she is hot and can kick my butt…now that’s a combination.