Does heavy bag weight matter?

Paparo · 05-27-2007, 06:48 PM

Im just getting into fighting and I was wondering if the weight of the heavy bag had any effect on training or results. Trying to decide what to buy.

Any suggestions on what one to get? Thanks.

sitnspin · 05-27-2007, 07:33 PM

The answer is the same as the answer to "What do old women taste like?"

Depends.

A heavy bag serves a variety of purposes, and only one of them is as something big enough that you can pound it as hard as you can and it will stay reasonably steady. And don't get me wrong, that's a good purpose, because unless your sparring partners are willing to let you pound their ribs with crushing force over and over and over again, how will you ever develop that kind of power?

But a lot of the best work you'll do with your heavy bag won't even involve hitting it full force. A lot of it is just about footwork and movement and having a target that's the size of a person. Stand in front of it in your proper boxing stance. Push it away from you to get it swinging. When it swings towards you, step either to the right or left to avoid it. When it swings away, tag it with a combination with your focus on maintaining good balance and form. Keep your hands up. Stay on your toes. Breathe. Chin in. Keep your head moving.

With that kind of workout, you could use a 50 lb bag and get the same results. If you're looking to really pound on it, you'll want a heavier one. Just be careful not to let technique go out the window while you're trying to punch holes in the bag.

GSPALLTHEWAY · 05-27-2007, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitnspin

The answer is the same as the answer to "What do old women taste like?"

Depends.

A heavy bag serves a variety of purposes, and only one of them is as something big enough that you can pound it as hard as you can and it will stay reasonably steady. And don't get me wrong, that's a good purpose, because unless your sparring partners are willing to let you pound their ribs with crushing force over and over and over again, how will you ever develop that kind of power?

But a lot of the best work you'll do with your heavy bag won't even involve hitting it full force. A lot of it is just about footwork and movement and having a target that's the size of a person. Stand in front of it in your proper boxing stance. Push it away from you to get it swinging. When it swings towards you, step either to the right or left to avoid it. When it swings away, tag it with a combination with your focus on maintaining good balance and form. Keep your hands up. Stay on your toes. Breathe. Chin in. Keep your head moving.

With that kind of workout, you could use a 50 lb bag and get the same results. If you're looking to really pound on it, you'll want a heavier one. Just be careful not to let technique go out the window while you're trying to punch holes in the bag.

all very true stuff... the heavy bag in my house is alot different than the one in my new gym... the one at the gym is REALLY heavy... im not sure about the weight but i could find out easily im sure... the heavier it is, the more careful you need to be when teeing off on it.. wrist injuries mostly can happen far more easily if the bag has alot less give to it

sitnspin · 05-27-2007, 07:41 PM

True. Properly wrapping your hands and wrists is important, and if you're going to go all out, there's every reason to wear at least 10-oz gloves. A lot of guys like to wear MMA gloves when they hit the bag because they're fun to wear and they look cool and you get to imagine you're in the UFC, but you'll notice in training videos that real MMA pros all spar and work the bags and pads wearing traditional boxing gloves to protect their hands.

texmo · 05-27-2007, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitnspin

True. Properly wrapping your hands and wrists is important, and if you're going to go all out, there's every reason to wear at least 10-oz gloves. A lot of guys like to wear MMA gloves when they hit the bag because they're fun to wear and they look cool and you get to imagine you're in the UFC, but you'll notice in training videos that real MMA pros all spar and work the bags and pads wearing traditional boxing gloves to protect their hands.

Just out of curosity why would some one like gary daniels hang 50lb weights by a bit of string and punch them?

Paparo · 05-27-2007, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitnspin

The answer is the same as the answer to "What do old women taste like?"

Depends.

A heavy bag serves a variety of purposes, and only one of them is as something big enough that you can pound it as hard as you can and it will stay reasonably steady. And don't get me wrong, that's a good purpose, because unless your sparring partners are willing to let you pound their ribs with crushing force over and over and over again, how will you ever develop that kind of power?

But a lot of the best work you'll do with your heavy bag won't even involve hitting it full force. A lot of it is just about footwork and movement and having a target that's the size of a person. Stand in front of it in your proper boxing stance. Push it away from you to get it swinging. When it swings towards you, step either to the right or left to avoid it. When it swings away, tag it with a combination with your focus on maintaining good balance and form. Keep your hands up. Stay on your toes. Breathe. Chin in. Keep your head moving.

With that kind of workout, you could use a 50 lb bag and get the same results. If you're looking to really pound on it, you'll want a heavier one. Just be careful not to let technique go out the window while you're trying to punch holes in the bag.

Well I am looking to pound the thing yeh, of course. I mainly wanted it for power. But your post gave me a great way to train with it and I cant thank you enough. I'm just getting started and didnt even think of pushing it and getting it moving to work on my skills as well. So thanks. Im guessing a 75-100 pound bag will due.

Daniel · 05-27-2007, 10:44 PM

I've owned and can review the following bags:

40 and 60lb Heavy Bags from Everlast
Double End Heavy Bags from Everlast Boxing & Sportswear

The bags I have look just like these, but I swear there's more than 20lbs difference between them... Anyway, must not be because these are the only things on Everlast's site that look like what I have.

The 40 is too small. Either it's hung up high and I can practice head shots only, or its hung low and I can only practice body shots. It also moves way too much. I've got it hanging in my backyard right now for practicing body kicks and it's pretty good. It's soft as hell and can even be hit with no gloves, but obviously not for training purposes. You should always use hand wraps and gloves regardless of the punching bag, and like SS said, I would go with the 10oz gloves, cause you can throw hooks at full force without worrying about damaging yourself. No MMA gloves I've used have held up to the impact of repetitive, day-in-day-out punching.

The 60lb is too hard. The thing is hard as a rock, it's the hardest punching bag I have ever hit and even with hand wraps and big 10oz gloves, you can't go round after round with this thing, it's just way too damn hard. I don't suggest it at all. It was my first punching bag and I don't even use it now. And it's even harder at the bottom so body punches/kicks are impossible. This bag is only really good for swinging it and hitting it as it swings away.

This is the one I use now:

Nevatear® Training Bags from Everlast Boxing & Sportswear

The 70lb one. I LOVE this bag. I can hit it for five five minute rounds and my hands will be fine the next day. It's long enough that you can hit it with body shots or head shots, and it takes the impact well. It's a very soft bag and because it absorbs your punch, it doesn't move around a whole lot. It's great for roundhouses at rib and leg height, it really eats your kick and isn't hell on your shins.

I really want to try this water bag:

Water Heavy Bag from Everlast Boxing & Sportswear

'Anyone used one of these? I didn't want to buy one because for some reason, I just can't picture this water idea working out too well.

Ring_Raider_07 · 05-27-2007, 11:36 PM

I'm 185 and used a 100 LBS bag. It moved around a lot, so I just used it to practice form.

Peniel · 05-28-2007, 12:59 PM

I use several. I don't think it is a good practice to limit your self to one type of bag.
I use long bags of 135 and 150lbs.
Short 50 lbs tethered at both ends.
A 100 lb bag with the sand bags removed and memory foam lining the inside making in very soft. this simulates resistance training. You can punch or kick with full power and feel like your strikes are non productive causing you to increase force. This is a very good power builder.
Hard bags are used for conditioning.
Double tethered bags are used for foot work and maneuvers.

Fighting is a science. Never expect simple answers to complex questions, like" should I use a heavy bag or a light bag". There is no A or B answers to many of what seem to be simple questions.
If some one gives you a simple answer it usually isn't right or they just don't want to take the time to answer you correctly.
I extended this comment to you Paparo because you said you were a beginner in training.
Good luck. Train smart.

sitnspin · 05-28-2007, 01:17 PM

Excellent advice as always. I personally LOVE double-end bags and I just moved into a place where I can't hang mine.

Peniel · 05-28-2007, 01:32 PM

Thats a bummer, had I a choice of only one I would keep a double end or at least a head-ache bag. For those who aren't familiar with a head-ache bag, it is very small and light. It has a great range of motion and is very fast. It is tethered at the bottom with a bungee cord and a solid nylon cord at the top. Great for apartments and areas heavier equipment cant be used.

Crashsti · 05-29-2007, 12:46 PM

i have only had two bags in my life, a little 40lb bag when i was in my teens and i later graduated to a 100lb bag which i own now. the 40lb bag is far too small for me to even consider using anymore. it only hangs as there is no bottom point to hold it steady. the 100lb bag is almost ideal, when i am hitting it right is folds in and does'nt swing alot, which is how a bag is supposed to react when your punches are not "pushes". in the beginning the 100 pounder was a bit hard but has since softened up. as always, wrap you hands well and invest in a pair of "heavy bag gloves". they offer added wrsit and hand safety and are worth the cost. you can't fight or train with broken hands.