Expert: Alan Kahn - 12/7/2006

Question
Hi, I'm 17 and have been using a speed bag for the last year and a half.  I have been training on an 11X8 and can now do repetitions without even thinking and notice I have to slow my hands down.  I just learned there were smaller sizes and was wondering if I should be using a medium(10X7,9X6) or a small(8X5,7X4,6.5X4) speed bag.  I want to get a high quality one that will last a while so I would appreciate it if you could tell me to work on perfecting the small or just stick to a medium bag for a while.

Answer
HI Mike

A year and a half is a while. If you can keep the 11x8 going pretty good, then you could move down a couple of sizes, to a 9x6. If you can only buy ONE bag, then I would suggest the red bag on the first link below.

However, if you can a couple of bags now, I would also suggest you pick up a 8x5 or smaller inexpensive one, and try it occassionally. Keep in mind you can always underinflate it just a bit (don't let the leather crease) to slow it down a little.

Titleboxing speed bags
http://store.titleboxing.com/titlespeedbags1.html

Smaller speed bag on Ringside Boxing
http://www.ringside.com/DETAIL.ASPX?ID=25131

Best thing to do when hitting a smaller bag is to begin  punching "lightly", meaning just let the weight of you hand push the bag. A full force punch really sends these bags into orbit, but with time you will learn to add more and more force to your punching on them.  Swing small and light. In a few weeks, I bet you'll be making it sing.

Good luck and train safely,

Alan Kahn
author, The Speed Bag Bible