Finally, something different for the speedbag world!

[luke]

Thanks for your feedback Alan. Ultimately, we would hold your opinion in high regard due to your extremely influential impact in this incredibly fast growing sport! I'd love to get you guys messing around on these bags in jersey and get an accurate opinion; just to make sure we're covering all of the elements we feel make a bag unique. The thing that makes our bag a little different from the many I've struck is definitely the bladder. Hopefully you'll feel it for yourself!
The artwork is just an added bonus . I'd love to see how it holds up for a vertical striker as well! I'm sure all of my questions will be answered if I can get a crate of these to Keyport!

Thanks again my friends!!

[luke]

Also to answer your swivel question.... I'm personally using the powdercoated Blue U-bolt from RIVAL... I use the Doble link from KimuraWear, and occasionally the everlast U bolt as well... I mess around with the everlast S hook (crazy glued ball) if I'm working on side striking, but these days in using a lot more power-focused training, and my delts don't like smashing the bag sideways with all that much force... So I've been steering away from the s-hook.

[Speedbag]

Originally Posted by luke

Also to answer your swivel question.... I'm personally using the powdercoated Blue U-bolt from RIVAL... I use the Doble link from KimuraWear, and occasionally the everlast U bolt as well... I mess around with the everlast S hook (crazy glued ball) if I'm working on side striking, but these days in using a lot more power-focused training, and my delts don't like smashing the bag sideways with all that much force... So I've been steering away from the s-hook.

you might find the Deville S-hook a better style.

As to focus more on power training with a speed bag, I suggest you do two things. (1) use a larger bag, which pushes more air and is like going from a 3 lb weight to a 5 lb weight, offering more resistance. (2) move back from the bag, making the contact point of the fist and bag at almost full extension of your arm. You will naturally generate more force and power with a longer swing arc, and if you move back away from the bag your arm will have to extend further, allowing the longer swing arc to add power and force. This will work on smaller bags also, but the effect will be increased if you also do #1 and use a larger bag.

In this regard I like the analogy of comparing speed bag to golf. Your arm extension and swing arc are like the golf club.

The most power club in the golf bag is a driver, giving you a longer swing arc, generating more power. Notice also you stand further away from the golf ball with a driver then a nine iron. For maximum power, force and distance, you use the longest club - the Driver. With a nine iron or pitching wedge you stand closer to the ball and have a much shorter, smaller swing arc. No matter how hard or fast your swing, the nine iron will never generate the power of a Driver.

Same thing on a speed bag. Standing close to the bag creates a shorter, faster, tighter swing arc. Great for what you use if for, BUT if you really want to focus on maximum punching power, with maximum force, step back from the bag, allowing your "club" (arm) to extend much further, and deliver full punching power to the bag.

and understand, that each has it's purpose and strength, and each has it's weakness. Standing close the speed bag, swing fast, will work speed BUT you will never hit the bag as hard or forcefully as you do while standing further back. And in the power stance further away from the bag you will never go as fast as when you are standing closer, for your hands will never be able to repetitively cover the larger distance required to reach the bag. And repetitive is an important word here, for we do not normally hit the speed bag once or twice and stop. The repetitive and continous motions required for (1) close speed work, or (2) further distance-power work will be similiar, but never the quite the same. The swing arc is much longer for one than the other. Timing is also an issue and will adjust automatically for each stance. Your ears really sync your repetitive swing timing, with the bag beat as the guide.

To demonstrate this distance issue I normally have a person stand in their "normal, close stance" try to hit repetitively x8 or 10 times to get as fast as they can, then stop and count the rebounds on the last punch until the bag stops hitting the board. Maybe you get 5 or 6. sometimes 7. then do the same thing on the same bag, from a stance further back, in a stance where the fist hits the bag at near full extension, (like a heavy bag), and hit as hard and fast as they can. Same deal, hit x8-10 punches for full power and speed, then count the rebounds on the last punch. You should get at least 1 or 2 more rebounds of the bag after the last punch, because it was being hit harder, with more fast. Not necessarily faster.

again, just my opinion.

[luke]

It's most definitely a great opinion at that Alan! I spend at least 2+ hours a day striking heavy bags and focus mitt training, so by the time I get to smash the speedbag (usually at the end of my workouts) when I say my delts bother me from doing side-techniques; in pretty sure it has a lot to due with the lactic acid buildup from fight training... Or I'm just a total wuss

Either way, I completely appreciate you taking the time to make those valid and useful points !

Thanks again