Expert: Alan Kahn - 7/27/2007

Question
Alan,
I use the Everlast Heavy Bag Speedbag stand weighted with 40-lbs/peg and holding a 70-lbs dbl-ended Title heavy bag. I've progressed to an Everlast X-Small 6"x4" bag. I'm doing well with it and my speed is good. I have a 4 questions I'd like your expert opinion on.
1. I like to alternate speedbags. I have 3-Everlast speedbags--a 4214,a 4200, and the extra small professional. I have the link type Top Professional swivels that I used to unscrew and alternate bags that way. I hate these swivels. They buckle and do not give me a smooth action. I swapped it for the plastic type "S" swivel and I love it, but the screw unscrews from the ball and I'm constantly screwing it back in. Any ideas on how to keep the screw in the ball?

2-I also have an old Tuff-Wear metal ball hook type "S" swivel I bought 25-years ago. It's in great shape (no pitting on the ball) but seems slow. Any ideas on lubing it? I was thinking silicone or car wax may help?

3- What swivel do you recommend for those who want to easily change bags?

4- And finally. I purchased some EverGel glove wraps. Nice gloves that I purchased because my hands were taking a beating from repetitive speedbaging and my traditional gloves are tough to use as you go to the smallest bag. I like the gloves but the gel makes it tough to "feel" the bag and keep a rhythm going. I have wraps but it's a pain to use wraps because I weight train between bag sessions. Suggestions? I was thinking of trying some leather weightlifting gloves?

Any help is appreciate and thanks for reading this.

Paul


Answer
Hi Paul

I'll be happy to answer your questions:

#1: Myself and many speed baggers like the plastic ballhook swivel, and have found it works fine IF you use some type of superglue or gorilla glue or plastic to steel adhesive. Apply the glue, stick the metal shank in tight and let it set a few days. I haven't broke one yet when glued.

#2. I lube my metal ballhooks with a light machine oil, by dabbing it on my finger and touching it up on the ball.  Also, a spray lubricant works also. you don't need much. I would not recommend car wax.

#3: to change bags easily, it is hard to beat the super swivel. http://www.ringside.com/DETAIL.ASPX?ID=24601
or http://store.titleboxing.com/dps-ez.html
I would stay away from this: http://store.titleboxing.com/titleboxing-ez--pro-swivel.html
for it just seems really slow.

#4: I really like to use the Classic Weight Lifting Glove by Harbinger  http://www.harbingerfitness.com/cgi-bin/6fyd-xxe5x.cgi?130&&sku
that is really the only glove I wear when I hit. The soft leather really takes the bag well and there are no seams directly over the knuckle areas where the bag contacts the hand. The wrist strap is nice also.

I hope you find these answers helpful. Good luck with your choices and training

Sincerely,

Alan Kahn
author, The Speed Bag Bible