Expert: Alan Kahn - 9/1/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi Alan Kahn,
I've been using the speedbag for training, for quite some time now.  However, I feel as if I am desiring more then what I am getting out of my bag.  I've tried a couple different brands, and sizes.  My favorite bag seems to be a 11x9 Everlast bag.  I've had a lot of fun w/ this bag but I need something faster. I own a 5x8 Tuff Wear bag, but the bag seems too thick and I believe that because of that, alot of the rebound is taken away.  Today my order from title boxing finally came in, and within this order was my new Rival 5x8 speedbag.. again it seems like this bag is just like the Tuff Wear one that i already own.

I've heard many times and I believe I heard it on your speedbag bible dvd as well, that the smaller the bag, the faster it will be.. which requires more skill to use.

My question is... What specific brand of speed bag would you recommend me to purchase in order for me to have a bag that moved alot quicker?  And what size.  In my mind, im hoping for a small bag that hits like my 11x9 red one, but is able to be hit alot faster.  

Also, I was wanting to ask you... have you purchased any speedbags where the "mouth" part of the bag was too wide for the swivel?  I had that with my Tuff Wear bag, and I had to take a pair of scissors and trim it down, just so it would fit the swivel.

ANSWER: Hello Jason,

The Red Everlast bag 11x8 that you have is probably a model 4210, which is a very nice learning bag, but is not very fast. The old Tufwear bags are thick and a bit heavy per size but many people like that, for you can apply a good smack to hit with it running away from you. I have hit the Rival 5x8 and like it. I did not find it overly heavy but everyone's hands are different. The promex bags seem heavy to me. I love the shaped, but heavy.

You are right, that normally the smaller the bag the faster it will be, and the fast the bag is the more skill it takes to control it. Actually, you don't control the BAG, per se, you control YOUR movements to continuously punch the bag. Always strive for relaxed control of YOUR movements, and bag will follow along obediently.

As far as a bag goes, the 8x5 is the most recent "fast" bag I have found to really enjoy. smaller bags seem just a bit too light to have fun with.

You might try the Ringside extra small XS 8x5:
http://www.ringside.com/DETAIL.ASPX?ID=25256

or the "SMALL" Top contender 8x5
http://www.ringside.com/DETAIL.ASPX?ID=25131

or the yellow Title 8x5 ( i use this a lot)
http://store.titleboxing.com/titlespeedbags1.html

or the Title Classic 8x5 ( light bag )
http://store.titleboxing.com/classic-speed-bags.html

All of the bags above are excellent bags, and I would recommend anyone of them.  

Concerning your comment about the bag "mouth" or the "width of the bag strap" that attaches to the swivel. I have noticed a problem with the width and thickness being greater than the swivel. Some bags DO have such a thick or wide strap you just can't get it on the hook. I too have squeezed them with pliers, etc. trying to get them to fit on the hook. It is one of the little inconsistencies and equipment issues with the speed bag. I have actually known people to cut the swivel end off a bit to make more room, and then put a bit of tape around it to better hold the bag on.

I hope this answers your question. Good luck with your search and train safely.

Alan Kahn
http://www.speedbagcentral.com
   






---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Alan,
Thank you very much for the quick answer.  And I'd just like to say that I really enjoyed your speedbag bible dvd, it definetly taught me a lot.

I had read some previous posts you made in response to other people's questions and I saw what you wrote about a bag w/ a wider belly, being quicker.  So now I have been looking at different bags according to that.  I also checked out the different bags that you linked.. and I was curious about the http://store.titleboxing.com/titlespeedbags1.html , I just returned the 5x8 rival bag I ordered, and I am exchanging it for the 6x9 red bag in that link.. Do you think it will be light like my 11x9 bag?  But of course be alot quicker.  I am also thinking of purchasing that 5x8 title bag you linked me.  I intend on trying both of them out and keeping the one that I like of the two.

On a seperate note, I was curious what you thought of Title's "Jumbo Ball" http://store.titleboxing.com/jumboball.html

I have been curious about what different double end bags or speciality bags I should purchase.  It's really hard to know what is good unless I ask someone who has already used a specific piece of equipment.  I am hoping you can suggest some stuff for me.  I figure, what better person to ask then the author of the speedbag bible!  =)

Answer
HI Jason,

I am very glad you found The Speed Bag Bible DVD helpful! I developed it to teach people like you how the speed bag works and offer a path, or logical sequence of learning the many techniques and combinations. Speed Bag Training really is a unique activity that can last a lifetime.

I do believe a wider belly per each bag size is a bit faster. All that really means is the bag - ANY size bag - will have a more rounded tear drop shape, making it a bit fatter and shorter. It will have a shorter rebound arc, and hit the board quicker in each rebound. The gain in speed is probably slight, but noticeable. Particular when punching full out, as fast as you can. But that also demands a bit more control. It is very hard to maintain full speed punching without very clean swinging technique.
The red bag you mention on the titleboxing website is a 9x6, and I use it quite a bit also. It will be smaller and faster than the Everlast 4210, which is an 11x8. The weight will be close, but I wouldn't worry too much about that. You should adapt pretty quickly to the feel of any bag on your hands, and it's swinging/rebound patterns, in a few workouts. You will notice the Yellow 8x5 is also smaller,lighter and faster than the red 9x6. Again, I have and use them both.

The "Jumbo Ball", you speak of is an interesting specialty bag that is one of several now available. They are several types of these, such as linked below:

http://store.titleboxing.com/sbrb-u.html

http://store.titleboxing.com/slipball.html

http://store.titleboxing.com/title-big-bang-heavybag.html

http://store.titleboxing.com/twins-hook-and-uppercut-bag.html

http://store.titleboxing.com/title-body-opponent-heavy-bag.html

They are all variations on a theme of punching a heavy bag, offering some variety and also different stations in a boxing circuit workout. They let you move and punch in different angles, allow a workout that is more realistic to what happens in the ring. In all honesty I have not used many of these bags personally, so I can't say exactly how good, bad, easy or hard they are to use - but I would agree that they are all useful and would be a great addition to your training - IF you have the money to afford them, and room to use them.

But I do have a "bullet reflex bag" on my back porch that I really like, (for it is also great for several martial arts kicks). It offers some interesting punching workouts, and allows for movement - BUT it is not very good for HARD punching workouts. It is a "light bag", focusing more ond quick, fast punching rather than full out body shots.  punching with Full Force just doesn't do it for me on these. But I really like it for quick jabs and speed combo's to work technique.

I also have used a double end bag and like it a lot. Both these "light bags" offer a rebound arc that varies and can hit you if you do not move out of the way.  The rebound arc of the speed bag is fixed, meaning no matter how hard you hit it, the size of the rebound says the same. But on the reflex bag and double end bags, the harder you punch the further the recoiling movements, so you have to "slip" the bag, or move out of the way of the rebound or you get hit. That makes it more realistic as a defensive activity, for you do not want the bag, or your opponent in the ring, to hit you.

On final note on speed bags. The "tiny bags" such as the 7x4 or 6x4's are not really that much faster, for many of us find them SOooo light that they just don't move quickly. I have them all, and only use them for novelty because they just don't move as fast as their size would indicate. You have to punch them with a "light hand", with less force. So, in that regard, you want a little weight to your bag.

I hope these helps you a little more and lets you expand your own training. Good luck.

sincerely,

Alan Kahn
author, The Speed Bag Bible