Buying a boxing bag, tips?

Charlie Haughy

Looking for some advice and info from experienced boxers/people who box for exercise.

Im buying a boxing bag to go in my gym to exercise on mainly, and need some info on what types of bags to buy and what gloves to buy.

Im a big guy (6ft 1, 14st approx) if it matters.

Im looking to use the boxing to build muscle in my arms and also to loose some extra weight. Which bags are better; Leather or PVC bags? Also what length bags should I go for?
Id probably be buying a heavy duty bag.

For gloves, what type of gloves should I buy?

Something like a 16oz glove like this:


or fingerless mitts like this:




Cheers.

gene_tunney

4 Foot is a good height.

Leather the best kind of bag, but also the most expensive. It's a trade off.

12/14/16Oz gloves will be fine, get bag gloves, not mitts. I'd probably use 14s. 12s are a bit light, less padding, and 16s mess up my timing.

Something like this:

http://www.ringsportireland.com/product_catalogue.php?sec=12&cat=17326&product=2016

EDIT: But you can probably get it cheaper elsewhere.

cowzerp

4 or 5 foot bag, material is not that important but if money is not an object go leather-stay away from bag mitts, get gloves, 10-12-14 or 16 oz, there all fine, the heavier the harder you'll work but as your new you'll work hard anyway...

Personally if i was you i'd try get a boxing lesson or 2 in so you can get the most from the bag rather than just pummelling away and using wrong/bad technique and not maximising the sessions..

colly10

I wouldn't go for either of the gloves you've pictured. I use these on the bags -

http://www.ringsportireland.com/product_catalogue.php?sec=12&cat=24330&product=24338

They're a good hard wearing bag glove and they fit well

You should wrap your hands as well, gel wraps are very handy, these are a good gel wrap -

http://www.ringsportireland.com/product_catalogue.php?sec=12&cat=499&product=2222

cowzerp

Rival are just too expensive in my opinion, get a pair of adidas for 40 euro or pay the extra for really good sandee's or twins, or even the top end adidas gloves..

gene_tunney

I have a cheapish pair of adidas bag gloves and they do the job no problem.

As regards lessons, in an ideal world, yes but I learned my technique from youtube videos before I ever hit a boxing gym. When I got there the coaches didn't change my technique at all.

The Russ Anber videos are excellent, here's one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YisGE4HiwMQ&feature=related

The kid in the video is middlweight prospect David Lemieux.

As regards wraps I wouldn't recommend gel wraps. I prefer loose wraps because I can wrap my hands according to where I'm sore. For example if my wrist is hurting I can wrap it up more for extra protection, and I wrap my right wrist more for the straight right and my left thumb more for the left hook; with gel wraps you can't customise like this. Don't hit a bag without wraps.

Charlie Haughy

Any shops on a high street sell wraps for your hands under gloves? Do shops like Heatons, Dunnes or champion sports sell them? if so about how much are they? Those 16oz rival gloves are €30 in elverys, I think thats a good deal, but is it?

gene_tunney

Charlie Haughy wrote: »

Any shops on a high street sell wraps for your hands under gloves? Do shops like Heatons, Dunnes or champion sports sell them? if so about how much are they? Those 16oz rival gloves are €30 in elverys, I think thats a good deal, but is it?

Where are you based?

Cork: Maher's
Limerick: Gleeson's

Should be a bout a tenner, get the 4.5m/180 inch ones

cowzerp

Charlie Haughy wrote: »

Any shops on a high street sell wraps for your hands under gloves? Do shops like Heatons, Dunnes or champion sports sell them? if so about how much are they? Those 16oz rival gloves are €30 in elverys, I think thats a good deal, but is it?

30 is a good price, go for that but please font learn to box from you tube!

Just because a coach did not fix you does not mean you where doing great, many just won't be bothered wasting time teaching someone who does not compete.

tinner777

lads would you buy this bag?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Golds-Gym-PU-Punch-Bag/dp/B00164C4VM/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1306749354&sr=8-3-fkmr0

or this?
http://mickdowlingsportsworld.ie/index.php/boxing/bags/large-bag-heavy-duty-pvc.html

or this
http://mickdowlingsportsworld.ie/index.php/boxing/bags/large-bag-full-grain-leather.html

im the same as the op, 6,2 and a bit heavier, want to lose weight gain strength

tinner777

shameless bump, need the advice before i spend any money

dave80

tinner777 wrote: »

shameless bump, need the advice before i spend any money

go for the leather one from mick dowlings

Digitalism

tinner777 wrote: »

shameless bump, need the advice before i spend any money

Check www.elverys.ie before buying, they have lots of bags on offer I think.

In fairness, a PVC 4 ft bag would do a beginner fine! You will not be hitting it hard enough to wear out the PVC bag quick and you wont notice the difference, but theres a big difference in price.

http://www.elverys.ie/action/searchsite/punch-bag

The 3ft Nylon Rival bag there would do you fine.