Punching Bag Strength Workout

The punching bag is one of the best strength buildings tools out there. This workout is not just for hardcore boxers but for anyone who wants a good anaerobic workout. Many have turned to boxing and working the bag over weight training because it’s not as monotonous and because if done properly, results in less pressure on joints.

One of the most important things to remember is to warm up to avoid injury. I prefer a minute of jumping jacks followed by general calf/quad/arm stretching. Please, please, please, do not skip this step. It is better to take an extra 5 minutes a day warming up than an hour sitting at home missing your workouts wishing you weren’t injured.

When working for strength, the way in which your hand contacts the bag is very important. Ensure that the flat part of your middle and pointer fingers make contact with the bag (not your knuckles) and that your wrist stays straight. A very common mistake is hitting the bag with your knuckles and not aiming for your middle and pointer fingers. If you strike a bag hard enough and make contact with your middle and ring knuckles, you are very likely to fracture or break your hand.

The key to strong punches isn’t arm strength; its throwing your whole body weight behind each punch. Try to step in three inches to a foot following up every punch you throw, trailing the left hand with the left foot and the right hand with the right foot. Additionally, the left foot should pivot for a right cross and the right foot shoot pivot for a left jab. Pivoting will help transfer weight from your hips into your punch. Along the same lines, imagine a target about a foot behind the bag or your opponent. By punching through your bag/opponent, you will achieve a much greater force, especially when following with a step to throw your body weight behind it.

The most important aspect to strength training with a heavy bag in my opinion is variability. Don’t just throw jabs or crosses or preset combos all day. Mix it up and keep in mind the tips discussed above and apply them to all of your moves. Try for four short sessions of about 3 minutes with one minute rest in between. Remember to wrap your hands, avoid punching with your knuckles, and drink plenty of water in between sessions.

Why I Love Amateur Boxing

I’m a thousand miles from home at the moment at the Australian Amateur Boxing League’s National Titles, and I’m enjoying every minute of it.

Right now I’m watching two 13-year-old schoolboys belting it out, and the standard is surprisingly good. The boys are focused, controlled and highly skilled for their age. And behind each boy is a small team of older men – quietly watching every movement taking place in front of them, and gently caring for their boys between rounds.

Last night the lad I brought down with me had his bout. Mina is 15 – still very much a schoolboy, but with a physique that’s increasingly taking on adult proportions. It was only his third fight, so the national titles was a big step up for him. Even so, finding boys his age and his weight (63.5kg) is not normally easy, so we figured that by joining in here he’d be sure to get a bout or two.

Mina got his bout, and it was a courageous performance. He was outclassed by his opponent but he went the distance. Afterwards we found out that the winner was the current Australian champion and that it was his 70th fight! This certainly took the sting out of the loss, and when the champ found us and told Mina that he considered him the toughest opponent he’d ever fought, our boy was grinning from ear to ear.

In truth, this was only one of a number of truly memorable moments last night.

* I saw a 16-year-old return jubilantly to our change room after hard-won points decision. With both hands in the air, he was almost jumping out of his skin with excitement as he cried out “I’ve gotta call my dad and tell him!”

* I saw another young lad knock his opponent to the ground with a beautifully-timed body shot. As his opponent hit the canvas and the referee stopped the fight, the victor, instead of prancing around and celebrating his victory, kneeled down alongside his fallen mate and rubbed his back, and then helped him to his feet.

* I heard one of the old boxing officials (who didn’t know me) say, “I hear there’s a priest around here somewhere. We’d better watch our language!”

This last ‘memorable moment’ can’t be labelled a ‘highlight’ of course but was more of a reminder of just how far the boxing community is from understanding what Christ and the church are about. Of course, the converse is also true. Most church people have no idea what boxing is about but consider it to be nothing but legalised violence.

From my perspective, boxing is a celebration of manhood. It’s about boys becoming men and men supporting boys.

As every father knows, there are not many places left in this country where you’ll find teenage boys even listening to older men, let alone looking up to them as respected mentors. Likewise there are not many places where a young man can rumble with his mates in a controlled environment, and so develop the courage and self-control needed for adult life. It all happens here!.

I claim that we have 100% success rate with the young thugs and misfits that we manage to direct into amateur boxing. We don’t manage to get everyone who comes to us into competition of course, but for those who do undergo the necessary disciplines required to reach the side of the ring, the experience is always the same. The drugs and the thuggery stops, school grades improve, and elated parents come and thank me for what we’ve achieved. But in truth, it isn’t me. It’s the sport of amateur boxing.

Boxing Mouth Guards From Brain-Pads: Concentrate On The Fight, Not Your Safety

Everyone knows that contact sports require tough demands on an athlete’s body and that proper protection is important for keeping you in the game. There’s nothing worse than having to worry about your safety when concentrating on strategy. This is why Brain-Pads markets its boxing mouth guards to every serious athlete.

Brain-Pads equipment is a solid choice for any type of rough sporting but it was developed specifically for the dangers regularly faced by boxers. The innovative technology used in the boxing mouth guard dates back to the career-ending problems that once confronted professional boxer, Jesse Ferguson. Years of devotion to the sport had lead to Ferguson developing severe temporomandibular joint disorder, a condition that made the athlete suffer from recurring nausea, headaches and debilitating balance issues. Ferguson’s ailment made his future in boxing questionable-until a local sports physician began working with him to develop the solution that ultimately created the technology used in Brain-Pads.

Although it was initially designed as a boxing mouth guard, Brain-Pad is also a great solution for any sport where contact injury is possible. It works by locking the lower jaw in a static point, fixing it into a position that stops the shock of an impact from traveling upward through the jawbone and causing brain injuries. The Brain-Pad boxing mouth guard keeps your jaw securely in place, preventing the back spurs of the jawbone from being driven into the vulnerable TMJ sockets and causing concussions.

Boxers have to contend with injuries that often come about due to an opponent’s targeting of the lower jaw. Repeated impact to this part of the face regularly leads to severe concussions. The “glass jaw syndrome” that many longtime boxers face can be avoided. Jesse Ferguson’s use of the Brain-Pads technology got him back in the ring and ready to continue his career, safe from further concussions and enjoying lesser knockouts from glass jaw syndrome. Need further evidence? Dr. Erno Kiss, the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association’s Medical Director recommends the Brain-Pad boxing mouth guard as “. . . the finest appliance [he] has ever seen for the protection of internal head injuries.”

Brain-Pads sells the NatureZone™ oral appliance chamber alongside its boxing mouth guards in order to help its clients in keeping their equipment totally clean and bacteria-free. NatureZone™ works with all oral appliances and brings you the same level of sanitation technology as is currently used in leading hospitals. A completely chemical-free system, NatureZone™ lets you clean your boxing mouth guard by killing off pre-existing or newly acquired locker-room germs. It combines ultra-violet (UV) light and ozone (O3) ions to destroy 99.9% of common germs and viruses like MSRA, strep, staph, coli and more. You only need to place your oral appliance inside the NatureZone™ chamber, push a button then wait for just three minutes before your guard is completely sanitized!

Why put yourself in danger? The boxing mouth guard from Brain-Pads lets you concentrate on performing at your best without having to spend time worrying about safety.

Kick Boxing Equipment From Top Ten Canada: Great Rates On Quality Products

Kick boxing equipment is essential for any athlete that wants to be able to participate in their favourite sport for years to come. Top Ten Canada understands the demanding requirements of practicing and competing kick boxers and strives to offer every one of these athletes the best gear at the lowest possible prices.

Our kick boxing equipment is designed with the needs of the most casual to the most committed athletes. Top Ten Canada knows that everyone engaged in contact sports needs to be protected from the constant injuries, either minor or severe, that are incurred through kick boxing, boxing, martial arts or other sporting practice or competition. Without proper kick boxing equipment these common injuries can lead to long-lasting afflictions. At Top Ten Canada, we want to help athletes to avoid these issues and keep them playing the sports they love for as long as possible. Our reputation is built on the quality of our products and professional relationships with leadings sports associations. Top Ten Canada is a supplier and proud sponsor of the Council of Amateur Sport Kick Boxing, the Canadian Tae Kwon Do Federation International, Boxing Canada, Boxing BC and the International Amateure Boxing Association (AIBA), an organization that regulates boxing throughout North and South America.

Top Ten Canada stocks a comprehensive array of products that suit the requirements of any level of athlete. We have kick boxing equipment in stock that includes quality options such as boxing gloves, shin guards, head guards, chest guards, open-hand gloves, focus targets, mitts, training bags and much more. Top Ten Canada also covers clothing and training outfits alongside our kick boxing equipment. Our store supplies a wide variety of sports clothing (like hoodies, tank tops, etc.) and uniforms for your club or personal use.

We provide numerous discounts and deals on our entire range of boxing, martial arts and kick boxing equipment as well. Top Ten Canada is always adding new items to our store and, because of this, we’re often able to offer our customers clearance rates and discounts on many products. Check in at the Top Ten Canada website often to stay up to date with the most recent slashed rates on our limited-time deals and special prices. You can also save on quality kick boxing equipment by signing up for our free newsletter and receiving a 20% coupon for your next purchase. Come to the official Top Ten Canada website to view complete details regarding our business and our catalogue of boxing, martial arts and kick boxing equipment for sale. Here you can find sizing charts necessary for ensuring that you purchase the right equipment, details and prices on every item currently in stock and much, much more.

Top Ten Canada leads the industry in providing high-quality, affordably priced martial arts, boxing and kick boxing equipment. Visit us online today to get started with the kick boxing equipment you need to keep safe and compete at your best for years to come.

Sports Safety Equipment From Top Ten Canada: Stay In The Game With Quality Gear

Sports safety equipment is essential for any type of athlete. Top Ten Canada understands that, from amateur to professional, protective gear is a must for anyone that participates in contact sports.

Top Ten Canada is an industry-leading provider of sports safety equipment and is committed to giving every athlete the gear they need to protect themselves while engaging in contact sports. We know that the type of injuries that occur in these sports can add up to life-long afflictions that severely, negatively affect an unprotected athlete’s life. There shouldn’t be any need to let the side-effects of a sport you love have a negative impact on your life — that’s why Top Ten Canada is dedicated to providing quality, affordable sports safety equipment. We’re always striving to help our customers in protecting themselves and seek to bring you the most reliable and competitively priced options on the market. Top Ten Canada’s reputation is bolstered by our relationships with internationally-renowned sporting associations as well. We’re a proud supplier and sponsor for Boxing BC, Boxing Canada, the Canadian Tae Kwon Do Federation International, Council of Amateur Sport Kick Boxing and the International Amateure Boxing Association (AIBA), a boxing regulations organization prevalent in the sport throughout Canada, the United States and South America.

We provide a one-stop resource for the sports safety equipment that every athlete needs to stay in the game for years to come. Top Ten Canada supplies a wide range of quality products, designed to keep our customers as safe as possible while they practice or compete. Our store currently stocks outstanding items in categories such as head guards, chest guards, shin guards, boxing gloves, belly guards and more. Aside from our sports safety equipment options, Top Ten Canada also provides you with everything you need for training or gym wear. We have an array of focus targets, training bags, uniforms, tank tops, hoodies, shoes and much more, all designed to make your practice comfortable and effective.

As part of our efforts to give as many athletes as possible access to proper sports safety equipment, Top Ten Canada regularly features great discounts and deals on our catalogue of products. You’re always able to find a great price on our sports safety equipment. Top Ten Canada hosts limited-time clearance deals, slashed rates on overstocked items and consistently competitive rates on our normal inventory. You’re also able to save even more by signing up for our free newsletter. Register for the latest Top Ten Canada deals and receive a 20% off coupon for your next purchase of sports safety equipment from our store!

There’s no reason to put yourself in harm’s way while enjoying the sports you’re passionate about. Purchase high-quality and affordably priced sports safety equipment from Top Ten Canada to keep yourself protected and to ensure a long future for your time as an amateur or professional boxer, martial artist or kick boxer.

Improve the Atmosphere with a Boxing Machine!

A boxing machine is one of the most loved amusement machines available. Entertain your punters with a machine that encourages competition and therefore fun and extra revenue! Read on to find out more about why amusement machines, such as the boxing machine, are vital in the current economic climate.

Amusement Machines


In the current economic climate it’s imperative that all pub, bar, club and amusement arcade owners do as much as possible to earn extra revenue on top of the usual takings, such as food and drink. All amusement machines require anything from 50 pence to £2 to play, and if they are of sufficient quality will continue to attract users for many years without needing to be replaced.

The Boxing Machine

One of the all-time favourites, the boxing machine attracts users in all kinds of locations; from outdoor festivals and fares to pubs and clubs – it’s a definite crowd pleaser. The machine works by inviting a man or woman to punch a boxing bag as hard as possible, giving a reading of how hard it was – thus creating the competition between friends and strangers!

The traditional pool/snooker table and darts board are great to keep the punters entertained for a while, but not enough to attract new business or keep a group of mates interested all night – the boxing machine is a great talking point and will attract new people on a regular basis.

Extra Revenue

As mentioned previously, extra revenue in 2010 and beyond is vital if a club or pub is to stay in business – no longer can you simply rely on beer sales. Many of the boxing machines you will find online are available with no cost, all you need to do is share the profit with the owner of the machine – ideal if you would rather not take the risk of purchasing a machine outright.

If you’re interested in giving your punters something new to enjoy, and an amusement machine that will attract plenty of word of mouth advertising, search online for a boxing machine!