Expert: Alan Kahn - 7/4/2008

Question
hi,good day,sir i see most of punching bags are made in leather,why not use canvas material for punching bags,as it will strengthen the fist,my doubt is will using canvas will it injure the knuckles? i find canvas really making my fist harder,well im not a boxer,i'm into bodybuilding,please clarify soon.

Answer
HI Arjun

Actually there are Canvas heavybags available.

http://www.ringside.com/DETAIL.ASPX?ID=25282

But I think the main reason the have fallen out of favor is that the filling in these bags tends to press toward the bottom, and after a while the bottom half one-third of the bag feels like concrete and the top has too much play in it since the stuffing has settled. And a second reason is the material itself tends to shred the skin as well as the outer surface of training gloves. Canvas bags are also a bit harder to maintain, particularly white colored ones, as any dirt, blood or other material tends to be absorbed into the material, making it look dirty, which isn't a big deal in most places, but leater bags are easier to maintain, and the newer modern fill techniques can keep the materials from settling to the bottom. Particularly the softer fills with water cores.

For the home, a canvas bag might work for you, but I doubt you'll find too many newer gyms with canvas bags for the reasons I mentioned above. For harder fists or knuckles you could use the old style Monkiwara like martial artists, but many of them have gone to softer targets also.  

Good luck and I hope this answer helps you.

Sincerely,

Alan Kahn