Thursday, October 8, 2009

Why a Leather Heavy Bag Is Your Best Choice

By Jason Stepferd

A leather heavy bag is a specialized boxing bag designed to withstand years of abuse and help teach the boxer how to properly punch. It is designed to closely replicate the response that a gloved fist will have on a human body.

Most boxing gyms and fitness centers have a variety of boxing bags, but you are likely to find a leather heavy boxing bag in them all. Most bags weigh between forty and one hundred pounds. The weight of the bag should all depend on your size and strength.

For instance, an individual weighing around 150 pounds can do well with a 70 pound punching bag, but a professional boxer will need more, such as a bag weighing in at 100 pounds. A lightweight bag, such as one 40 pounds in weight, will do for a featherweight boxer.

The typical leather heavy bag is covered in thick leather, similar in thickness to proper motorcycle grade leather. This leather varies in thickness but is typically one quarter of an inch thick. This allows the bag to withstand many more hits, regardless of if the boxer using it is using bag gloves or boxing gloves. In fact, leather is the preferred material for mixed martial artists that are practicing striking without gloves for a tournament that uses such rules.

Because leather is a natural product a bit of care is needed. Typically, a boxer will wipe down the bag after their practice session and someone that works for the gym will use leather cleaner once a week. As needed, a coat of leather conditioner will be added to make sure the leather stays supple and does not become brittle. While impressive to onlookers, most boxers would rather not have the leather shatter from a strong punch.

To buildup coordination and stamina, a heavy boxing bag is recommended. The right size is necessary because this prevents the bag from swaying too much when it is punched by the boxer. A swaying bag due to the wrong weight makes it difficult for the user to hit. Also, a bag that is too heavy can result in pain and injury.

When making your purchase, it is also important to consider the type of mounting used. Leather bags can usually work with different types of mounting systems. For example, boxing centers tend to use either wall mounts or ceiling mounts. When limited on space, a heavy bag stand is the next best choice.

If you want to buy a leather heavy bag, there are many factors you must take into consideration: choose the right bag size and weight for your size and skill level and ensure it is easy to mount in your home or gym. For anyone looking to train as a boxer, a heavy boxing bag in leather is a good buy.

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