Thread: A few training questions...

I've been looking into using a heavy bag for fitness training, something new to break the boredom and to get a good workout. I've been doing a lot of reading in the past few days about equipment and technique and so forth. (In particular, there seems to be a lot of good info at dub dub dub boxing-4-fitness dot com.

I believe I understand the proper way to throw the basic punches and how to move around the bag. I plan on starting out slowly. I also understand I need to wrap my hands properly and use gloves. But I have a few questions I cannot find answers to. Here they are:

- What weight bag should I get? It seems 80-100 pounds seems right. What is the real difference in getting one weight vs. another?

- How do I know what size gloves to get? I've read that glove fit is important, but I do not see how to figure out what size to order.

- Speaking of gloves... I don't want to spend a ton of money on gloves, but I do want a decent pair. I could really use some suggestions on what would be a good starter pair without spending too much money.

- As far as working out with the bag, it seems that people suggest doing it in "rounds" as a fight, almost. So I assume I'd do something like 3 minutes on, 1 minute off, or something like that. I'd like to do a 30 minute workout to start with, so any suggestions on how to best do this would be great.

Happy to have any tips or comments, and if you think I have missed something please let me know.

Thanks!

I suggest a 100 lb bag.for gloves get 14 oz or 16 oz now as far as rounds 3 minutes with minute rest is a good start but later change the rest to 30 seconds. your gonna need a timer for this though but they are expensive but you can use a timer on your cell (assuming you have one) your gonna want to get a jumprope and always wrap your hands. go to ringside dot com or titleboxing dot com to check out gear at reasonable prices.

If you're just doing fitness training then Ragingbull above me is on the money.

Don't go all out to begin with, practise your technique and build up intensity over a few weeks of training.
3 minute rounds with random 10 second punching sprints are great for fitness.

Great, thanks guys.

Ragingbullx5 is right on the money. I would also add to get a "double end" bag. This is one that has straps on the bottom where you can secure the bag from swinging when you are doing different punching exercises. Then you can un secure it for swinging and learning to move around, and in and out of the moving bag. You can secure the bag with some form of tie down, (I use heavy rubber cargo straps with hooks) and use free weights or a spare tire to hold it steady.

I'm a little confused on what bag to buy, with all the crazy choices. I just need something basic I can hit that won't fall apart. What's the difference between synthetic leather and real leather, water filled or not, etc? I was hoping not to spend too much money on this, but some of these bags are really expensive.

Also, I don't really want to pay shipping for something so heavy. Is there a good sports chain where I can buy one?

First of all don't worry about the shipping.. You will fill it up..!! 2nd take something max100lb and because the real leather is expensive try something synthetic.. I dont know how much money u want to spend, but if u search u ll find something cheap&good to do your work.. Brgds

Originally Posted by tdellaringa

I'm a little confused on what bag to buy, with all the crazy choices. I just need something basic I can hit that won't fall apart. What's the difference between synthetic leather and real leather, water filled or not, etc? I was hoping not to spend too much money on this, but some of these bags are really expensive.

Also, I don't really want to pay shipping for something so heavy. Is there a good sports chain where I can buy one?

yes shipping is expensive depending on where your from or just in general. so is there any sports shops anywhere near you? usually theyll have bags you can check out. Id check out speed bags to, but take things slowly. you can also search for other online stores.

yea man either a good double end bag would be a great choice for hand-eye coordination, timing, and reflexes.

When it comes to heavy bags, water filled would be a great option because obviously the shipping will be cheaper, it's easier on your hands and joints, and has some give to mimic a shot to the body.

Leather bags are for the serious pounders, professional gyms, fighters, etc.

Title boxing has some excellent freestanding bags as well. The headhunter, which is spring loaded, and one other model I believe.

Look to spend $80-150 on a bag. and roughly $40-100 on quality gloves. your hands are important, you want good gloves that will last a few months.

I would personally avoid Everlast, as they tend to be about quantity, not quality.

Some real good advice here. Wonder whether I might add a couple of points.

• Double end bags are great. Just be careful to use it properly, that is no power shots, all fast, light shots with some nice head movement. I've seen many a sheepish looking boxer standing over a broken double end bag because they hit it too hard.
• You may wish to consider an angled bag. This type provides some nice options with uppercuts and hooks that you would normally get with a Maize Bag. The link below gives some advice on bags.
• The advice on hand protection is real smart. The hand wrap video below might help.
• A 30 minute session is quite short, but if you work it right you'll be good. Make sure you do a short warm-up, followed by a round or two of shadow. When building stamina, an option is to do a 15 minute round, slow and steady, but no breaks. On a timer that's 4 x 3 minutes plus the 3 x 1 minute rests - work right through. Do this a few times a week for a couple of weeks, then switch to rounds.
• Structure is very important. As RagingBull said, you'll need a timer. There are free timer apps out there, there's also a good on-line (free) one as well, if you can have your laptop nearby. Do a search on google on "free workout timer".
• Try to finish on some ground work, sit-ups, press-ups, plyometrics and so on. Then some static stretching.

Boxing Punch Bags

Boxing Hand Wraps

Hope this helps, Good luck mate.