Heavy Bags: Good Workout??

[49erinnc]

I have no interest in pursuing boxing. However, I'm looking for an inexpensive, really good cardio workout that also is great for stress.

Anyone who's not really a boxer have any experience using a heavy bag? Is it a good cardio workout or are you better off just jumping rope? I mainly like the idea of the heavy bag because I feel it would be a great way to burn off some post workday stress but I really want to get the heartrate up as well.

 

[Red Dawn]

If done right it is.

 

[HN]

make sure you have some decent gloves or wrist wraps

 

[jemcam]

Rather than a heavy bag, why not go for a speed bag? It is an excellent cardio workout for about 30 minutes. The learning curve is not really that bad, particularly if you pick up Alan Kahn's 2 hour Speed Bag DVD.

Link here

 

[xeno2060]

3-2min rnds all hands w/wraps and good gloves.
3-2min rnds all feet w/foot pads.

10min warm-up and stretching=Great workout

 

[yobarman]

http://www.rossboxing.com/thegym/thegym18.htm

 

[l Xes l]

i thought it was called sandbag..

 

[screw3d]

I'm interested in this too .. but looks like I'll have to find a personal trainer anyway :frown:

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: jemcam
Rather than a heavy bag, why not go for a speed bag? It is an excellent cardio workout for about 30 minutes. The learning curve is not really that bad, particularly if you pick up Alan Kahn's 2 hour Speed Bag DVD.

Link here

Just make sure you dont accidentally pick up ___ _____ 's Speed Bag DVD

 

[Jeraden]

I bought a heavy bag several years ago, thinking it would be good cardio exercise. Well, it wasn't bad but the novelty of it wears off really really fast. It might sound fun pounding away on a bag and getting a workout, but in reality its pretty boring. The heavy bag has been sitting in my garage for about 4 years now - just can't bring myself to throw it away though.

 

[TheNinja]

Originally posted by: Jeraden
I bought a heavy bag several years ago, thinking it would be good cardio exercise. Well, it wasn't bad but the novelty of it wears off really really fast. It might sound fun pounding away on a bag and getting a workout, but in reality its pretty boring. The heavy bag has been sitting in my garage for about 4 years now - just can't bring myself to throw it away though.

I'm afraid of that too.

BTW is a true heavy bag better, or have you seen those dummy type things that you can fill the base with sand or water. Seems like they are more portable and you wouldn't have to have a beam to hang a 80lb bag from.

 

[Parrotheader]

I used to get a great cardio workout from mine, but it shook the whole house when I used it (had it hanging from a beam in the basement.) My wife made me get rid of it.

 

[TheNinja]

Originally posted by: TheNinja

Originally posted by: Jeraden
I bought a heavy bag several years ago, thinking it would be good cardio exercise. Well, it wasn't bad but the novelty of it wears off really really fast. It might sound fun pounding away on a bag and getting a workout, but in reality its pretty boring. The heavy bag has been sitting in my garage for about 4 years now - just can't bring myself to throw it away though.

I'm afraid of that too.

BTW is a true heavy bag better, or have you seen those dummy type things that you can fill the base with sand or water. Seems like they are more portable and you wouldn't have to have a beam to hang a 80lb bag from.

anyone else?

 

[yobarman]

the dummy ones suck... no way you can make it heavy enough to not knock over.

 

[squirtle24]

If you have space for it, a real bag is probably best. I bought a portable one several years ago that had a large plastic stand, and the "bag" portion fit over it with adjustable heights. Filled with water, it was heavy enough that it wouldn't fall over, but on a hard floor, it would shift around a lot, making an incredible amount of noise.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Jeraden
I bought a heavy bag several years ago, thinking it would be good cardio exercise. Well, it wasn't bad but the novelty of it wears off really really fast. It might sound fun pounding away on a bag and getting a workout, but in reality its pretty boring. The heavy bag has been sitting in my garage for about 4 years now - just can't bring myself to throw it away though.

Hmm I loved working on mine when I had one. A another peice of equipment that goes hand in hand with a Heavy Bag is a Speed Bag. Both combined make for a great Cardio Workout.

Parrotheader is right though, if done right both really do shake the house.

 

[PlatinumGold]

i'm in a boxing class right now. been doing it for about 6 weeks. 3 min on 1 min off for 1 hour.

we do shadow boxing, heavy bags, pad work (about 4 rounds each) then pushups, situps, jumprope

in 6 weeks i've lost 9 lbs.

 

[sourceninja]

Boxing/kickboxing is one of the best exercises I have ever done. I'd suggest finding a class and taking it over getting a bag for home use. First, punching incorrectly is dangerous, and second, most home gym equipment is never used.

 

[TheNinja]

So I want to get a heavy bag at my local Big5 sports. They have 80lb heavy bags for $64.99 and 12 or 16 oz gloves for $24.99. Also they have a Wavemaster Super X Free-Standing Heavy Bag that you apparently fill the base with water or sand for $120 (comes with gloves, jump rope, and DVD).

However as William Hung once said, "I have no professional training". In fact I have no training at all, I don't really even know how to throw a proper jab, cross, hook, or uppercut, much less a decent kick. Well I did take TaeKwanDo for about 8 months about 15 years ago.

I just want a bag to take out frustration, burn calories, and lean some basic strikes. Is this worth it at all or am I just going to get bored b/c I don't know what to do. I read of lot of the other heavy bag threads but didn't really answer my question as most people here have training in some boxing or martial art form.

 

[slimrhcp]

I have a heavy bag and a speed bag, both attached to a stand. I think they're a great workout (at least for a ju-jitsu practicioner). The speed bag is great for coordination. If you're going to get a heavy bag, I would suggest getting the 16oz gloves, they will protect your hands much better than the 12s. I would also recommend the 80lb heavy bag. Also, make sure you know how to throw a punch correctly, or you will end up with some sore wrists.

Edit for spelling

 

[sourceninja]

Originally posted by: TheNinja
So I want to get a heavy bag at my local Big5 sports. They have 80lb heavy bags for $64.99 and 12 or 16 oz gloves for $24.99. Also they have a Wavemaster Super X Free-Standing Heavy Bag that you apparently fill the base with water or sand for $120 (comes with gloves, jump rope, and DVD).

However as William Hung once said, "I have no professional training". In fact I have no training at all, I don't really even know how to throw a proper jab, cross, hook, or uppercut, much less a decent kick. Well I did take TaeKwanDo for about 8 months about 15 years ago.

I just want a bag to take out frustration, burn calories, and lean some basic strikes. Is this worth it at all or am I just going to get bored b/c I don't know what to do. I read of lot of the other heavy bag threads but didn't really answer my question as most people here have training in some boxing or martial art form.

Sorry, I forgot about this thread.

I would not reccomend using a heavy bag without proper training in punching. You could mess up your hands and wrists. Its not likley, but its possible. Get the training, then work from home if you want.