Expert: Alan Kahn - 7/6/2008

Question
hello, i was wondering if hitting the speed bag at different rhythms give different benefits? ex. i hit the speed bag normally, one hit switch, where my brother hits it twice with the same hand then switches over to do the same with the other. would he gain benefits from his rhythm that i wouldn't and vise-versa?

Answer
HI Jesse,

I think the answer to this question depends on how many rebounds there are between the punches. When you say your "brother hits it twice with the same hand", that could mean several things, like twice from the front with three rebounds in between, or twice with one rebound inbetween, or twice-once from the front and then from the back. Each has a different number of rebounds and that changes the rhtyhm and timing.  The biggest benefit of the differences is "timing" and the smooth flow of transitions from one to the other. Hitting at different rhythms does benefit your TIMING which must improve to change rhythms and keep the bag going smoothly. There isn't much muscular/fitness benefit, since most rhythms require the same basic muscles to work, but your timing and perhaps hand speed (due to faster rhythm) will benefit from the variety, particularly when hitting from different sides of the bag (front, back and sides).    

I hope this answers your question.

sincerely,

Alan Kahn
author, The Speed Bag Bible