Need advice: Punching Bags

[brikis98]

I've been trying to find some cardio I can do at home later at night and have decided to get into boxing a bit. For those of you with some boxing experience, please recommend some brands/models, prices and places to buy for the following:

* Punching bag: I'm a big guy (215lbs) and lift a lot, so I can prob. hit pretty hard and need something heavy (80lbs+?) that won't fall apart. Are canvas bags crap? Are water filled bags crap?
* Gloves: something that will protect my hands against a punching bag (I won't be hitting any faces), so maybe straps or the fingerless glove variety will do.
* Jump rope: I imagine any cheapo thing will do, but I thought I'd check
* Anything else I'd need: shin pads for kicking? speed bag? good classes in the Cambridge, MA area?

UPDATE: there was a sale at Sports Authority, so I bought the following:

* 100lbs Everlast Nevatear punching bag
* 180" wraps
* Century Bag gloves
* Jump rope

Total price (after $25 coupon): $76

I've used it once so far and had a lot of fun, so thanks to everyone who gave recommendations.

anyone know of online places that have good (kick) boxing tutorials?

 

[Red Dawn]

Everlast is what I use. Get the 100 pounder. You also might try a speed bag, great cardio exercise that would compliment the cardio you get with the Heavy Bag.

 

[KingGheedora]

If you are hitting a heavy bag, you might want to get hand wraps to protect your wrists.

 

[Alienwho]

My buddy just put up a punching bag in our place as well. Does anybody have any pointers or anything on how I can learn to use this thing properly and learn some proper technique and what not? Certain exercises or styles would be great to learn using it.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
If you are hitting a heavy bag, you might want to get hand wraps to protect your wrists.

I use workout gloves and that's it. Just be sure to roll your wrist inwards when you hit the bag so you don't injure them. You also might want to check Play it Again Sports for a used one that's already broke it (soften up from the previous owner punching it)

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Everlast is what I use. Get the 100 pounder. You also might try a speed bag, great cardio exercise that would compliment the cardio you get with the Heavy Bag.

thanks for the advice... but which everlast bag? Canvas? Vinyl? Water filled?

 

[EvilYoda]

You won't find water filled hanging bags (or you shouldn't...who knows). As most people will say, go with an Everlast canvas sand-filled heavy bag, probably around 100lb for your size. Be very careful of your wrists if you don't know what you're doing.

Speed bag for cardio too.

 

[anxi80]

pfft, water filled bags? dude, its all about underwear filled punching bags!

 

[brikis98]

bump for more advice...

 

[chris7b]

I have an everlast 100lb bag hanging from the beam in my garage. Its not canvas or leather. Its very heavy vinyl, tough as nails and weatherproof to boot.

I also got some Ringside super bag gloves (love them, great stuff). If you're hitting a heavy bag you need good gloves and wraps for sure. those dinky half finger or bag gloves you get from you local sporting good store are worthless.

 

[ArJuN]

I have an everlast as well. It does the job. If you think you hit too hard, fill it up with some cement . I had to use one of those on training. It's like punching a sidewalk.

 

[brikis98]

ok, so it sounds like everlast, 100lbs is the way to go. any recommendations on the cheapest place to buy one?

 

[Josh]

Everlast. Get a heavy bag half your body weight (about) and get everlast glove wraps..they are about $25, and they work as best as you can get to real wrist wraps (you need em to hit that heavy bag) and if you have extra money just get the boxing gloves as well and you can actually put the gloves over the glove wraps.

Jump rope, you can pick up as well with all that stuff at Dicks..get a speed rope or a normal everlast/nike jump rope. Or go cheap they have some non-brand name stuff for like $8 if you'd like. As far as kicking, you don't really need to get into that to work out your cardio if you are going to be punching a heavy bag just move your feet (bounce up and down/move around the heavy bag).

As far as the speed bag, it's def good for cardio but it is also very difficult to get used to hitting a speed bag. It's more for increasing punching speed/accuracy and hand/eye coordination. If you just want to work on your cardio, then just get a heavy bag and go at it, jump rope and then go on a jog (increasing your distance/speed every so often as you get your stamina up). It'll work wonders.

 

[brikis98]

one more bump to see if anyone can recommend a cheap place to get this stuff...

 

[Josh]

Look at my post..Dick's Sporting Goods.

 

[chris7b]

Got my bag from the local Sportmart/Sport Authority. It was on sale for 70, Reg. 99.99. I highly recommend the bag. Gloves and wrap from Ringside.com

 

[TheNinja]

A guy your size would need at least 100lb bag. The water filled bags are supposed to be easier on on your hands, wrists, joints. If at all possible, get one that hangs from the celing. Those stands that hold the bag just tip over all the time.

Check out http://www.ringside.com/ for wraps and gloves.

I got these http://www.ringside.com/DETAIL.ASPX?ID=25083
and these http://www.ringside.com/DETAIL.ASPX?ID=25209

make sure your handwraps are 180" not the cheap 108 or 120.

you won't need shin pads and probably won't need a speed bag if you are doing it just for cardio.

 

[pyonir]

If you need a good punching bag, i'm sure dmcowen can help you out. Everyone else uses him as one, why not you?

 

[brikis98]

UPDATE:

there was a sale at Sports Authority, so I bought the following:

* 100lbs Everlast Nevatear punching bag
* 180" wraps
* Century Bag gloves
* Jump rope

Total price (after $25 coupon): $76

I've used it once so far and had a lot of fun, so thanks to everyone who gave recommendations.

anyone know of online places that have good (kick) boxing tutorials?

 

[TheNinja]

Originally posted by: brikis98
UPDATE:

there was a sale at Sports Authority, so I bought the following:

* 100lbs Everlast Nevatear punching bag
* 180" wraps
* Century Bag gloves
* Jump rope

Total price (after $25 coupon): $76

I've used it once so far and had a lot of fun, so thanks to everyone who gave recommendations.

anyone know of online places that have good (kick) boxing tutorials?

some good stuff here
http://www.boxingscene.com/index.php

Also a free PDF file called "Boxing Manual by John Brown" can be downloaded here
http://www.ringside.com/DETAIL.ASPX?ID=24595