Punching Bag Cardio

[V-ROID]

Was just curious how many people here incorporate a punching bag into their weekly workout routines? I have been wanting a heavy bag for a while and finally made room to put one. I hate doing boring cardio so I have been doing sprints off and on for a while. Problem is, it's a 105 out and sprinting in the sun is hard to cool down and get in a lot of sprints. Maybe I just need to build up to it, but my garage stays pretty cool so I think I will give it a try. Instead of sprinting, I plan to just rapid punch myself out, catch my breath, rapid kick next time, catch breath, knees, elbows... something along those lines. I haven't hit a bag in a while but I remember times when I have, it was a real ass-whippin! Should help keep me ready for confrontations as well. So is anyone using a heavy bag for cardio? Seems like a great idea to me.

[ppwc1985]

It's is a good idea, and it's a great cardio workout. I made one out of my dufflel bag.

[V-ROID]

It's is a good idea, and it's a great cardio workout. I made one out of my dufflel bag.

Like a green military bag filled with sand?

[V-ROID]

I was planning on picking one up tomorrow after work from Academy while I am still pumped on the idea before I change my mind but of course there are options... I was thinking 100lb bag but is there a formula based on body weight? I want heavy (I think?). Then they sell sand, cotton, mix... Does it really matter much?

[ppwc1985]

Like a green military bag filled with sand?

No sand filled bag would be way to heavy, I lined mine with thin foam around the outside, than asked family for all their old clothes and stuffed it as full as I could pack it. It's been working for 15 years that way. The foam I used was carpet padding, that's the only thing I bought.

[PistolPete33]

These are the best bags you can pretty much get: Highest Quality Mixed Martial Arts Equipment for Less - KO Fightgear

[V-ROID]

Cool. Maybe I will hold off and research a bit before buying. I should have know the options would be endless... I am liking that 6' muay thai 150 pounder. The 120lb. teardrop bag... Never knew.

[PistolPete33]

Cool. Maybe I will hold off and research a bit before buying. I should have know the options would be endless... I am liking that 6' muay thai 150 pounder. The 120lb. teardrop bag... Never knew.

I've got both. The Thai bag is better all around. The tear drop is good for hooks, uppercuts, knees but the Thai bag RULES!!!!!

[V-ROID]

Thanks pete I ordered the 130 thai. !!! Cant wait. Thanks for sharing link

[PistolPete33]

Awesome you'll be really happy with them. Neil is an awesome guy to deal with and you'll have that bag quickly. I own a Martial Arts school and have 5 of his bags and they get the crap kicked out of them every single day and I've NEVER had an issue with any of them and they all look brand-new.

[V-ROID]

Yes Neil was awesome. Just spoke with him again and that sucker is already in the mail! I plan on installing 4 bolts into 2 studs before it gets here. I am ready to punch myself out!
Thanks again I have found ONLY good things about KO bags!

[MACKATTACK]

Nope......

[PistolPete33]

Yes Neil was awesome. Just spoke with him again and that sucker is already in the mail! I plan on installing 4 bolts into 2 studs before it gets here. I am ready to punch myself out!
Thanks again I have found ONLY good things about KO bags!

I can't believe he already got the thing shipped. He's the man!!!! So glad I could help. You're going to love that thing.

[Brett N]

Punching a heavy bag is a great source of cardio I have found. I also like to mix it up with kicks, knees and elbows just to get the whole body involved. Hands will get pretty sore at first, so it's good to use everything.

I like to act like I am fighting Nick Diaz (of course his arms and legs were removed to give me a shot of winning)

[V-ROID]

Punching a heavy bag is a great source of cardio I have found. I also like to mix it up with kicks, knees and elbows just to get the whole body involved. Hands will get pretty sore at first, so it's good to use everything.

I like to act like I am fighting Nick Diaz (of course his arms and legs were removed to give me a shot of winning)

Exactly. All I have ever used before is a canvas bag that will tear you up without gloves and not low enough to do low kicks. I guess I will hang it about a foot from the ground, that will give me a range between 1-7 feet high to go nuts. Still not sure about adding a bungee to the bottom. Would have to drill into concrete and add a steel loop which could get in the way...

[Giggle]

Do you ever add jumping rope into the mix? That'll burn calories along with the bag work.

[V-ROID]

No but that is a great idea. Especially if I can swing it indoors...

[PistolPete33]

You don't need to bungee it to the floor. Keep it about 8-10" from the floor and you'll be good to go. Another great idea is to add a spring to the top so it will absorb a lot of the energy. TITLE BOXING HEAVY BAG SPRING (UP TO 70 LBS) Just be sure to get the 250lb spring.

[V-ROID]

Finally got the bag installed. Had 4 6" lag bolts into ceiling joists with 1/4" chains just waiting on the spring to come. Spring came today and I unwrapped the bag for the first time. The combination of the chains coming from the bag and the spring were longer than I anticipated. Had to choke up on the ceiling chains and cross them instead of bringing them together at the center. Measured everything twice, hoisted the bag on top of a cooler and balanced it while I hooked it on. Remove cooler and the bottom of the bag is 10" from the ground. Perfect! I gave the bag/chain setup about a 5 minute test period and everything is solid. I am glad I got a spring, it should take a lot of stress from the joists and keep the house from shaking too much when I deliver devastating leg kicks. haha! After 5 minutes of just messing around I was exhausted and covered in sweat. My right leg sweeps are no where as accurate as my left. Good to know. Thanks again Pete for leading me to the bag and the spring. If it weren't for you I would probably be hitting an Academy bag and regretting it.

[Brett N]

It's funny how exhausting 5 minutes can be. Now imagine doing that 3 times with someone else hitting back. Makes you realize how awesome some of the cardio is of all these fighters.

[PistolPete33]

I'm so glad you like this bag. I researched a ton before getting my first KO bag. The good thing is that the bag won't settle- meaning it won't be soft up top and hard as a brick at the bottom. It will soften up a tiny bit but even after 2 years my original bag is still almost brand-new. This is doing 15 classes per week on the bag with (6) 3 minute rounds each class. This bag will condition your shins for sure. Now, just make sure you've got a good pair of boxing gloves. I recommend Rivals. Boxing Gloves, MMA | Rival Boxing Equipment or TitleMMA.com sells them as well but not the full line.