[EasyEJL]

Does anyone else use this? Is it a good idea? I was thinking of not doing cardio directly after strength training (all my normal workouts are in the morning) and was trying to come up with something interesting cardio wise to do at home later in the evening. A punching bag in the garage sounds kinda fun. i'm in Florida so its usable year round.

Whatcha think?

[ShakesAllDay]

I think it's a great idea. I would pick up a basic boxing training book and/or take a couple quick lessons. It would be very easy to hurt your hand/wrist/arm if you aren't punching correctly.

Also, I would get at least an 80lb. bag. Anything lighter might sway too much. Also, heavier bags simulate punching a person better than lighter bags.

[Jumper]

Do it. I have and do use heavy bags, but my favorite is a "top and bottom" bag. It is about the size of a volleyball and is attacked from the top and bottom (duh). I set mine up with a rope on top to set the height I like, then use a black solid rubber rebound strap attached to two 25lb plates to anchor the bag on the bottom. This set up gives me the best quick rebound to a hard quick punch and provides a surprisingly solid target. This bag helps train you to "punch" and not "push". If you don't snap your punches the bag will just flop around and not rebound correctly. This set up also trains accuracy as the bag moves around.

Whatever bag you choose, you will not regret it. This type of training develops "useable" power and speed.

Have fun bruddah!!!!

[Rodja]

Make sure to take care of your wrists, elbows, and shoulders. The impact can lead to tendinitis if you have bad technique.

[EasyEJL]

I was thinking of this



and a 70 pound water bag. I'll definitely do a quick lesson at one of the places that do the "executive boxing" things, there are a few around here. Plus my wife was on the boxing team when she was in the army, so she's into having it in the house too (well that and to get rid of frustration of having to deal with me )

[SMOKEPALADIN]

I like the speed bags, definately makes for some intense cardio, and they are alot easier on the wrists. They also elevated so you expend more energy just keeping your arms up in the air for 25/30 minutes, where ths standard heavy bag you can be a little more lazy with and tends to lead to injury if you dont know the proper way to punch it. The speed bag also builds great agility and timing.One of my friends used to use the heavy bag alot and also developed some shoulder problems from poor punching technique also.

[Yagman]

I love my bag. I generally will go running for 10 minutes, then hit the bag for 6 minutes and repeat.

Here's what I have hanging from my garage rafter. Excellent quality and moves like a person. Uppercuts are great on this. I strongly recommend this and some quality gloves with wraps.

Big Bang Heavy Bag from Title Boxing

[CarterMalone]

Dont bother with a water bag, get a hard sand bag, it will make you tough.

Oh and btw, I find the bag works my heart way harder than running. So its an even better, and more enjoyable cardio to me.

[Fireproof]

It would be great cardio! Great calorie burning during the exercise as well as post exercise (EPOC) for continued fatburning effect.

[Da Main Man]

Bas Rutten's boxing tapes are great.

shadow boxing is effective and as mentioned earlier in regards to wrist injury, this will prevent it.

[thesinner]

Originally Posted by SMOKEPALADIN

I like the speed bags, definately makes for some intense cardio, and they are alot easier on the wrists. They also elevated so you expend more energy just keeping your arms up in the air for 25/30 minutes, where ths standard heavy bag you can be a little more lazy with and tends to lead to injury if you dont know the proper way to punch it. The speed bag also builds great agility and timing.One of my friends used to use the heavy bag alot and also developed some shoulder problems from poor punching technique also.

Maybe it's a coordination thing, but I find speed bags to be much less taxing of an activity than heavy bag work.

Really, as long as you're moving, and the ticker is ticking away, it's gonna make for effective cardio. One thing you could try is circuiting it with jumping rope.

[ItsHectic]

Whats a good brand? I am a fan of everlast and lonsdale but last bag I had was an everlast and it broke fairly quick, I want something that can... take a beating(errr).

[Rodja]

One thing to remember about using the heavy bag for cardio is this: most people get winded quickly because they do not breathe as they strike. Good breathing techniques will your WO much more effective.

[smeton_yea]

Originally Posted by Rodja

One thing to remember about using the heavy bag for cardio is this: most people get winded quickly because they do not breathe as they strike. Good breathing techniques will your WO much more effective.

what do you recommend for breathing while doing the heavy bag Rodja?

[Rodja]

Originally Posted by smeton_yea

what do you recommend for breathing while doing the heavy bag Rodja?

Breathe as you would while doing any cardio (i prefer circular breathing) and exhale during each strike and stay relaxed until impact.