To hit the bag or not ?

Lassard

As a student of an traditional "internal" martial art, I have been warned off
using a punchbag, as allegedly it will make me tense . In addition to this I have been advised that punching the bag will send shock back into my body, which may be problematic with long term use.

I thought all impactive martial arts would use bag training , especially the ones that have a high price for non effective training methods (i.e your opponent takes your head off in the ring).

So, am I to believe this tense/shock explanation for avoiding bagwork ?


L

yomchi

Whether you believe it or not is up to you.
If your hobby is purely designed for relaxation and destressing well then I would say don't hit the bag.

If your system claims to be in anyway a form of self defence, not hitting the bag is dillusional, it's bad instruction and provides no basis for training to actually hit something.

However if your system is the first option, just chill.

Ug Lee

I used to do a lot of air punching and I thought my punches were fine. However then we started to use pads and I found that everytime I made contact, my wrist hurt. Thats because I did not have proper alignment in my fist. Now I can punch pretty hard however if I did not work with pads in the first place I would not have known that I was punching wrong.

Tim_Murphy

Lassard wrote: »

As a student of an traditional "internal" martial art, I have been warned off
using a punchbag, as allegedly it will make me tense . In addition to this I have been advised that punching the bag will send shock back into my body, which may be problematic with long term use.

I thought all impactive martial arts would use bag training , especially the ones that have a high price for non effective training methods (i.e your opponent takes your head off in the ring).

So, am I to believe this tense/shock explanation for avoiding bagwork ?


L

Define 'internal martial art'.

To be honest, the 'advice' you have been given sounds like it's been taken directly out of the big bag of martial arts nonsense that a majority of martial arts instructors make use of at various times.

wudangclan

i agree with the above.
i study an internal martial art and would consider bagwork an essential component of the curriculum along with cardio,weights,sparring etc...
your'e not going to learn to fight by magic.

Jason Mc

How do u learn the very basic art of gauging distance if you don't strike something?

Ug Lee

It seems to be accepted that bag/pad work will improve your striking power. However is there a risk that this will lead to health problems with your joints in the future?

Tim_Murphy

Ug Lee wrote: »

It seems to be accepted that bag/pad work will improve your striking power. However is there a risk that this will lead to health problems with your joints in the future?

Well punching and kicking air will definitely lead to problems so...

yomchi

Ug Lee wrote: »

It seems to be accepted that bag/pad work will improve your striking power. However is there a risk that this will lead to health problems with your joints in the future?

Playing chess while sitting down can be bad for your back, walking in the city can be bad for your lungs.

Kicking and punching the air is certainly bad for your joints.
I know numerous TKD people plaqued with injury from silly training methods, punching and kicking the air full force being once of them.

I also know plenty of boxers, pro's and amateurs since retired with perfect joints.

O'Leprosy

Punching the air will definetly do you injuries, even punching too light of a bag will. Happened to me, was too lazy to hang a heavy bag up and was punching a light one. Problem was every time a hit the light bag I over extended my shoulder as there was too little resistance.
I have punched bags for years. started boxing as a nipper. A solid bag never did me any harm, thought I do wear hand wraps to stop the wrist from bending as I hit a bag as I could sprain my wrist. You have concern about your wrists so wearing hand wraps will help you. Here is a YouTube clip with advice on punching the heavy bag for beginners
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSdVI5WUwWg&feature=fvw

Not trying to be a smart ass with you, but like the other two posters, this "internal" martial art,sounds like a load of martial arts mysticisism to me. It's from a Chinese martial art ? It happens in most traditional martial arts, I am a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and we have similair BS with what is called "swine wave" :rolleyes:

Martin25

Punching targets such as bags and focus pads can help you to develop power and focus.
Punching the air only will not help you to develop real world striking ability.

dlofnep

Martin25 wrote: »

Punching the air only will not help you to develop real world striking ability.

Shadow boxing can help your footwork

But I agree - the likes of standing in a static position chanting out isn't going to really help.

Deisekickboxing

bag will defo build stamina

siochain

Tim_Murphy wrote: »

Well punching and kicking air will definitely lead to problems so...

fastest route to messing up your elbows and knees....

edges

Ask the teachers opinion on the internal skill of Iron Palm training.

Ask the teacher how he trains to project force through an opponent

Ask the teacher how he trains to absorb impact and redirect it.

Ask the teacher how he trains to ensure all 9 points are properly aligned on impact

All these are vital facets of an internal martial art ( I was lucky enough to have an incredible instructor several years ago while living abroad. Kinda wish I'd stayed there to continue training with him...). Many of them are practiced by hitting stuff.

Ug Lee

edges wrote: »

Ask the teachers opinion on the internal skill of Iron Palm training.

Ask the teacher how he trains to project force through an opponent

Ask the teacher how he trains to absorb impact and redirect it.

Ask the teacher how he trains to ensure all 9 points are properly aligned on impact

All these are vital facets of an internal martial art ( I was lucky enough to have an incredible instructor several years ago while living abroad. Kinda wish I'd stayed there to continue training with him...). Many of them are practiced by hitting stuff.

Who was this, Chris Chan?

Baggio...

No bag = No power.