Expert: Alan Kahn - 10/24/2004

Question
i have an everlast bag and speedbag stand that works great for the heavy bag part. but the speedbag piece is cheap and doesn't work. i replaced the swivel to a professional swivel and the platform just shakes when i go to hit it. plus there are screws where the bag should bounce off of. this was bought for me so who am i to complain, but i know everlast is usually subpar equipment. i'm wondering if there's a way i can reinforce the current speed bag platform so that it doesn't bounce all over and i'm not spending $300 for a new platform. also, do you know what the good ones are made of? thanks for any help you can give me.
Rew Craig

Answer
Hi REW

Ah yes, you have run into the standard problem with "FreeStanding Floor frame" speed bag units. The rock and shake all over. There are several reasons for this, but the main problem is the single vertical pole that holds the bags. This offers very limited stability and tends to let the unit "sway" when the bag bounces around. Especially a speed bag which does not bounce simply front and back. It can go side to side, and with NO board stability ( because of the single vertical pole...) it sways like crazy.

There a few ways you can TRY to fix it, or at least lessen the sway.  The first is to use stabilizing straps. I like to use readily available luggage straps with simple ratchet tie-downs to pull up the slack. Here is a link to my website, "www.speedbagcentral.com" which covers this topic.

Speed Bag Setups.( scroll down also to see a sample of ratchet straps on a home freestanding model.)

http://www.speedbagcentral.com/Equipment_SpeedBagSetups.html#B

Some free-standing units are easier to adapt straps to than others. You may have to get a little creative to make them work with your particular unit, such as attach eyehooks or a bar over your board to make room of the straps to attach. and you may have to attach the bottom rachet to some exterior device to hold it tight. the unit I show on my website is an older model floor frame with wide triangle floor pods.  Newer ones might be a little harder.

As for what the Good ones are made of, I would say two vertical poles with wide base and good solid wood or steel. Unfortunately, they are hard to find and very expensive.

Here is a recommended sample. Look under Speed Bag equipment, Freestanding Floor frames, and scroll down to the "commercial grade" freestanding unit. ( It is also the free standing frame on the far right on my website example, with the blue speed bag and heavybag..)

http://www.primefighter.com/pfproducts.html

The best advice I could give you is to make the move to a two vertical attachment wall unit as soon as you can.  there are good ones fairly cheap and the added stability if well worth the effort.

good luck and I hope I helped you understand and solve your problem.  

sincerely,

Alan Kahn
www.speedbagcentral.com
author, The Speed Bag Bible