Expert: Alan Kahn - 10/8/2004

Question
    I have just purchased a 10"x13" speed bag.(ameteur user)1.what dimensions should the platform be? 2.how high should the bag be from shoulder level? 3.how low should the bag hang from the platform?

Answer
Hi nate

Glad to hear you got a new speedbag. Let's see if I can answer your questions.
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1.what dimensions should the platform be?

Most board are either 24in and 36in.  The 36in is better for larger bags. 10x13 is a pretty big bag and requires at least a 30in board ( or the bag will swing paste the end of the board when it rebounds.)  See more at WWW.speedbagcentral.com and look at the pages about equipment.  

http://www.speedbagcentral.com/Equipment_SpeedBagParts.html

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2.how high should the bag be from shoulder level?
3.how low should the bag hang from the platform?  

Bag height is usually determined by the Belly of the Bag ( fatest part) in relation to your mouth, not the shoulder. to set the height of the bag you need to adjust the board up or down to get the bag belly close to mouth level.   

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

For Question #3, It is really the same answer. Bag hanging under is set by swivel and bag size. You can't really change that. the shorter the rebound arc, the faster the bag goes. that is why small ( shorter) bags go faster than larger ones.  Just use a top quality swivel and bag and the hang length will be correct.

I hope this answers your questions. good luck and train safely.

sincerely,

Alan Kahn
author, The speed bag bible
http://enabledonline.com/BackIssues/February2001/health2.html