Expert: Alan Kahn - 7/27/2004

Question
I am new to boxing, and still learning the small things. I noticed when I looked for a heavy bag there aere different weights. What are the pros and cons of a light bag around 40 lbs, and a heavy bag, around 70 to 100 pounds? I plan on getting a set for the speedbag, which comes with gloves and hand wraps. From what I've read the gloves that come with it are made for the speedbag. Would it hurt to use those on a heavy bag? If it would, what about the hand wraps? Would those work on a heavy bag? Thanks!

Answer
Hi Rich,

The pros and cons of your heavy bag choice may depend on a few things. First, will you hang it up or get a free standing floor unit?. The heavier your hanging bag, the more sturdy your hanging area needs to be. And you have to decide how to hang it. If it hangs, then the weight may depend on how much room it has to swing after you hit it. IF you are a big, hard hitter and plan on pounding it, then you need more room for it to swing. And you may also get the type of hanging bag that can also attach to the floor, to control the bag swinging. For most garage and home work I would imagine a 70 - 80 lb bag would work and be hangable without major construction. I have an 80lb on my back porch. But I don't pound it anymore. I save my hands for other things. You may also want to consider the type of bag you will hang. A softer material or water bag is a lot easier on the hands, especially a beginner who may not have proper punching techniques.
Second, How high you hang it will also be important. You want to be punching in the middle or slightly lower. an older style  hard sand bag will get extrememly hard at the bottom as the insides settle. the newer foam bags don't do that as much, or at all.

third, A free standing floor bag will creep a little, but will not require any area or supports to hang.

Here is a boxing forum discussion about heavy bags.

http://p201.ezboard.com/frossboxingforumfrm14.showMessage?topicID=101.topic
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For me personally, I would trash those mitten gloves that come with a speed bag set. They are a waste of time and money, but that is just my opinion.  They have way too much padding on the sides of the hand and the padding kind of dulls the speed bag contact, as well as slips off if it is a shiny vinyl leather.  I prefer either hand wraps or a weight lifting/fitness glove. In fact, I use these Harbinger gloves exclusively on the speed bag.

http://www.harbingerfitness.com/flash/catalog/Gloves/130.html

I don't think these will work well on a heavy bag. the wrist wrap helps but you will need more protection. go with the "heavy bag" type boxing gloves that protect the thumb, such as these:

http://www.ringsideboxing.com/store/prodinfo_gloves.asp?number=ISBG%20BLACK&vari...
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I hope this answers you question. If not,don't hesitate to ask again. Good luck and train safely.  

sincerely,

Alan Kahn
author, The Speed Bag Bible.