Heavy Bag Question

[E_Kim]

Hi I was wondering what kind of bag I should use for my Muay Thai training. A regular one, a wavemaster, a muay that bag (whats the difference between a regular one?) or one of those hydro water filled bags.I was also wondering if any of you have tried the Body Opponent Bag and if it's any good because i'm thinking about getting one of those with my heavy bag.

[PocketAces]

I think your best bet is to buy a muay thai "banana bag". It's longer and more slender than a "regular" boxing heavy bag and facilitates practice of kicks at all levels--from low kicks to the legs on up to kicks to the head. It also allows you to perform various other exercises to practice your knees, elbow strikes and punches.

I haven't tried the Body Opponent Bag, but I have a Slam Man that I bought some time ago which is similar. My banana bag is ten times more useful, at least. A freestanding bag has the benefit of being relatively easy to set up, but in my experience, it's not that hard to mount a hanging bag, and the benefits far outweigh the extra effort.

Good luck!

[RogerMexico]

Amen to PA's post above. Slam Man gives too little resistance and provides too limited a striking area to be of much training value. (Though maybe my imagination's just limited - if anyone gets value out of this guy, sing out!).

The "thai" or "banana" bag gives you the widest range of striking options. Depending on where you plan to put it, you can also anchor it top and bottom for more solid resistance on low kicks. You won't be able to "stalk" it the same way you can with a traditional heavy bag, but it will really free you up for fluid upstairs-downstairs combinations.

BTW, if it's the apparent "realism" of Slam Man that appeals to you, you might consider a cobra-type bag to supplement your heavy-bag work.

[Fighter]

For you I would reccomend getting the tallest, hardest and Biggest bag you can find. Im saving up for a 6 foot bag its only $129.00. But do not get one of those Slam Man type products-----they're crap. I went into a sports store when I was 13 saw it there punched and it fell over.

It may look realistic but its very far from it. What you should look for is getting A heavy Bag, a floor to ceiling bag, and a speed ball.

[terry]

Originally posted by RogerMexico
The "thai" or "banana" bag gives you the widest range of striking options. Depending on where you plan to put it, you can also anchor it top and bottom for more solid resistance on low kicks. You won't be able to "stalk" it the same way you can with a traditional heavy bag, but it will really free you up for fluid upstairs-downstairs combinations.

Try kicking a bananna bag when it is in motion. The point is to adjust your footwork to track the bag, not anchor it.

One way to increase resistance is to hit the bag when it is swinging towards you. If you can stop a 200 lb bag's swing and knock it back several feet you are probably doing something right.

Terry

[Fighter]

Thats what Bruce Lee used to do, he could send his 300lbs bag hurling to the roof with a Side Burst Kick.