Speed Bag?

[GODsWarrior]

Did Bruce Lee use a speed bag? Also, what are some benefits in MA from using a speed bag if any? I have another question, which would be better to practice with a BOB (Body Opponent Bag), which is a manikin or a regular punching bag?

[Scott R. Brown]

There are no real benefits to the speed bag that can't be addressed using other, more useful, training modalities.

They are fun to hit though. The only real benefit you will get is the practice of holding your arms up while hitting it. Focusing on hitting the bag makes the fatigue from keeping the arms up less noticeable. But there are no real activity specific benefits.

If you only have enough money for one bag, I would get a heavy bag, NOT an Everlast bag though, they tend to be like concrete and will bruise your knuckles without extra padding. I knew an old Boxing trainer and he told me the best bag is a water bag because they feel the most like hitting a human body.

If you can afford it wouldn't hurt to get a BOB. Use the BOB mostly for targeting practice, but of course, nothing is better than a live opponent who moves and hits back!:)

[David Jamieson]

I disagree with your assessment of the everlast bag Scott. I have one and have had one for a few years now and am very happy with it.

I will say though that you can address the compression factor which turns the bottom to a heavy concretion by simply taking the bag off the chains for one day one a month, turn it upside down and give it a couple of good smacks on the bottom.

hang it back up after resting it over night and voila, its all good again.

[GODsWarrior]

So the main benefit of a speed bag would be holding your hands up longer in a fight? As far as bags, I will most likely choose the one that has the best deal. Oh also, which weight is best for someone around 160 lbs or does it not matter about weight? The bags that I seen were 70,80, and 100 pounds. I'm guessing it depends on punching power. But, will hitting a heavier bag have any benefits?

[Scott R. Brown]

Hi David,

Hmm?? I wonder if I bought bags that were too cheap. Or maybe their quality has changed in the last 15 years or so. I have been hitting bags for 30 years and I have owned at least 3 80-100 pound Everlasts and 3 or 4 30 pounders and I bruised my knuckles on all of heavy ones, but not the light ones. I do like to kick them though.

Hi GW,

I like the double end 30 pounder, but I also have 2 80 pounders and a floor bag too. I have even used a 200 pounder that was concrete-like too. We mostly kicked that one. When you hit it with a good side kick or spinning back kick it would make the whole building shake, LOL!!

[GODsWarrior]

Thanks for yalls help! I appreciate it. GOD Bless

[No_Know]

Place your manikin under the speed bag--letting the speedbag as the head. If the manikin bobs or rocks then whatever weighting it you need to reduce the rocking. You might need to make a platform or frame.

If you use a heavy bag you might consider hangingupside down by bar or picknictable or ladders side by side or some such. I say upside down because the harder part of the bag is lower and you will always be training half your fist at a higher density impact it seems to me. Upside diwn trains legs abs lats pecs et al and balances the impact density zone of your fists-ish.

Merely a mention. Less power the lower you go on a heavy bag. I thought speed bags are for timing, therefore get it moving then chime in at various intervals to develop perception/instinct~ and endurance...Get the bag moving then punch away--to the side or behind you then get the speedbag before it stops. get/keep it going then punch away as if clocking someone trying to sneak up or clock you while you focus. The returning to the bag while it continues to move might help focus and speed Especially when you can repeatedly turn away and consistantly keep the speed bag going (learing how many seconds it takes for a speed bag to die down after hit might help if you are a think-figure/calculate knid of a person.

Merely a mention. Also use elbows (pads might be needed if the gym doesn't want flesh/blood on their public use equipment) in an uppercut manner. This represents shots to the ribs or xiphoid process or solar plexus or gut or an attack while guard to the side of your head.

Merely a mention...These are merely thoughts on the topic of using Speedbag, heavybag and a manikin-punch dummy.

I No_Know

[Mr Punch]

There are no real benefits to the speed bag that can't be addressed using other, more useful, training modalities. ... The only real benefit you will get is the practice of holding your arms up while hitting it.I'm going to go ahead and disagree.

They're not the best tools, but they're good for beginners to get used to hitting things constantly, for relaxing (especially the shoulders), for developing rhythm (although you may want to practise arrhythmically later, as a beginner it helps to develop a rhythm first you can break later), for not telegraphing or winding up, for not over-relying on big punches (good for your jabs) or predictable one-twos.

BTW, you shouldn't base everything you do on whether and how Bruce Lee did it! :D

[GODsWarrior]

I'm going to go ahead and disagree.

They're not the best tools, but they're good for beginners to get used to hitting things constantly, for relaxing (especially the shoulders), for developing rhythm (although you may want to practise arrhythmically later, as a beginner it helps to develop a rhythm first you can break later), for not telegraphing or winding up, for not over-relying on big punches (good for your jabs) or predictable one-twos.

BTW, you shouldn't base everything you do on whether and how Bruce Lee did it! :D

Yeah, I agree. In fact, I am sure some of the things he did was wrong. Time changes and we get smarter and learn more and better ways to do things (atleast some people do). I don't base everything off of Bruce, although he was very smart, interesting, and wise. I like to consider his works and thoughts as possibilities and possibly try them out. But um.... Yeah, you guys have definitely broadened my view on the usefulness of a speed bag. I am positively buying one.
No Know, you are definitely a thinker, great ideas! Mr Punch, I am a beginner, so I am glad to hear that the speed bag will benefit me! Thanks a lot! GOD Bless

[Sifu Darkfist]

THe way you hit the bag has everything to do with whether it benefits you to the highest degree possible.

Boxers tend to hammer strike the bag and punch with the two prime knuckles every other time.

when i use the bag i hail it with all praying mantis punches (rolling in)
Also one can alternate fist with elbow if your speed bag is a professional setup you can get quite good at this

In both cases just tapping it does you know good other than hand or elbow skin toughening.
THerefore, i hit the bag good and harg with body twist with every shot.

Any tool that gets your body into the punch or strike is a good one.

Also it helps to step in a circle and try to keep the bag going

THe B.O.B Bag is on of my favorites as well esp for eye gauges and throat strikes

[GODsWarrior]

THe way you hit the bag has everything to do with whether it benefits you to the highest degree possible.

Boxers tend to hammer strike the bag and punch with the two prime knuckles every other time.

when i use the bag i hail it with all praying mantis punches (rolling in)
Also one can alternate fist with elbow if your speed bag is a professional setup you can get quite good at this

In both cases just tapping it does you know good other than hand or elbow skin toughening.
THerefore, i hit the bag good and harg with body twist with every shot.

Any tool that gets your body into the punch or strike is a good one.

Also it helps to step in a circle and try to keep the bag going

THe B.O.B Bag is on of my favorites as well esp for eye gauges and throat strikes

That makes a lot of sense. I will have to see what you're talking about when I get my speed bag. Also, what's the difference between the professional bags and the regular bags?