How long have you been baggin'?

[spinsmashpop]

Hi. I find it very interesting to see how long everyone here has been baggin' and what got them started. Since it is not an option in the profile, post that info. here along with any other pertinent stuff.

I started 3 1/2 months ago, (9.10.08). I had a board lying in my garage for 8 years, (mocking me every time I saw it!) and finally got started after youtubing "speed bag" and seeing Alan Kahn and the Skunk. I intend on getting my techniques together so I can punch drum like Alan Kahn, get some speed like the Skunk, and apply it as a percussion instrument in a drumkit. Why? I don't know, it seems cool and it hasn't been done. But besides that, I want to hang and punch with all the cats that are killin' it and inspiring all of us to bag on!

Happy New Years! Is it "The Year Of The Bag"???

Hey AK, there's another song for ya.... Al Stewart... "It's the year of the Bag!"
haha...

[Tim]

Cool topic

I've always been interested in boxing and martial arts. Back in 1997 or 1998 (can't remember) I joined Calta's boxing gym in Brandon Florida. I loved all the training to some degree, but my future did not look bright in the boxing ring. I had to drop the boxing workout when I went back to grad school in 2000 and the thing I missed the most was the bag work, heavy bag, but mostly the speed bag! Back in that time frame I did not know about the Speed Bag Bible and the only strike I knew was the FCP Front Circle Punch -I did that punch until my hands were sore, and believe me they were sore!

After grad school, I started to miss the workout and decided to put a speed bag unit up in my garage. That was around May 2003, and I bought the speed bag bible and started getting serious! I was able to hit for only a few months though, as in Dec of 2003 I took a job with EA SPORTS in Orlando FL, and consequently moved. Being in a rental townhome for a few months didn't lend itself to hanging the speed bag unit up again, so I sold it to a friend.

Fast forward to mid 2005. I missed the speed bag and was taking a break from weight lifting for awhile (knee and shoulder issues). I bought an Everlast freestanding unit, This was really the point I started getting serious about the bag.

A few months later I decided to start the speedbagforum.com site. That was January 2006.

In May of 2007, I had the pleasure of meeting Alan Kahn in person , as well as Zach Ruffo (SpeedBagSkunk). This was for the get together at LA Boxing. What a great time. Hopefully there will be more in the future!

[spinsmashpop]

Cool topic

I've always been interested in boxing and martial arts. Back in 1997 or 1998 (can't remember) I joined Calta's boxing gym in Brandon Florida. I loved all the training to some degree, but my future did not look bright in the boxing ring. I had to drop the boxing workout when I went back to grad school in 2000 and the thing I missed the most was the bag work, heavy bag, but mostly the speed bag! Back in that time frame I did not know about the Speed Bag Bible and the only strike I knew was the FCP Front Circle Punch -I did that punch until my hands were sore, and believe me they were sore!

After grad school, I started to miss the workout and decided to put a speed bag unit up in my garage. That was around May 2003, and I bought the speed bag bible and started getting serious! I was able to hit for only a few months though, as in Dec of 2003 I took a job with EA SPORTS in Orlando FL, and consequently moved. Being in a rental townhome for a few months didn't lend itself to hanging the speed bag unit up again, so I sold it to a friend.

Fast forward to mid 2005. I missed the speed bag and was taking a break from weight lifting for awhile (knee and shoulder issues). I bought an Everlast freestanding unit, This was really the point I started getting serious about the bag.

A few months later I decided to start the speedbagforum.com site. That was January 2006.

Awesome! You are obviously a bag freak to have started a forum dedicated solely to the speed bag! Thanks again!

[atgatt]

Waaaaaaay back in my high school and college days I hit the bag a lot when it wasn't that popular. A bad motorcycle accident ended the bag workouts. Since then I worked out but had a fear of the bag workout making my right shoulder worse, but I talked about how I'd loved hitting the bag and sure missed it. So she told my daughter and my daughter bought me a bag setup, so now I had to use it to show appreciation.

That was about 2 years ago and I've been hitting that bag setup and others I added ever since. My shoulder won't allow the fancy moves you guys do, but I'm am happy doing regular punching moves on the speed bags and double-end bags. When I travel I shadow box and have found that it is a very good workout too while I'm away from the bags.

Alan explains how many health benefits the bags offer. Due to my wife recently being diagnosed with Alzheimer's, I've been researching the topic. One of the big things that they found that helps in the prevention of it, is to reduce stress and to do exercise on a regular basis. The bags are the perfect answer in doing that for me. It is something I WANT to do and not HAVE to do. What a wonderful sport!

[Dutchman]

On and off since 1980..............

[Speedbag]

I first saw the speed bag in the basement of Seidman Center in Grand Rapids Michigan. We live about a block and half away from it at the time. Mr. Joe Sckrycki, (Mr. Joe) (Grand Rapids Policeman that ran the center) had a boxing team that trained in the basement. I remember watching Buster Mathis train down with several other state champions. As long as Mr. Joe coached, his fighters won virtually every weight division in Michigan amatuer boxing. He took Buster to the Olympic level, where "they take over" and your coach disappears.

Here is their pictures
++++++++++++++++++++++

I first hit it seriously at Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis), when I saw Dr. Roy Schroeder hitting the bag in the newly completed sports complex in 1972. I was lucky enough to spend many hours by his side over the next few years watching, learning and listening to his bag work. Through patience and the pure joy of teaching, he taught me about 90% of what I know about the speed bag. I was no "phenom", and I joined a small cadre of guys who had to work for long hours to learn what he did. I felt the "bag beat", but the movements were not easily learned.

If every martial arts style has a "root master" from which all their techniques come, then he is ours. What I pass on mostly came from him, starting in 1972.

[andy302]

i started back in 1986 when i joined a boxing club then in 1989 i had a bad motorcycle accident which has left me disabled so i couldnt carry on with the boxing but i really missed bagging so i started back this year and im really pleased i did and thanks to you guys im learning a lot of new things so thanks for that.

[baglady]

I just started about a month ago! I joined a new fitness club that has 2 speed bags and one day just started playing around with them and some guy was there who turns out is a speed bag nut. He came over and showed me a few things and that was it...the bug bit. I couldn't wait to get back to the gym to try more.
Then I started YouTube'ing the speed bag and watched how you are really supposed to do it and that has really helped.
It's been helping me with a frozen shoulder problem I had last year after a ski fall...shoulder is getting stronger now and loving the new exercise.

Baglady

[Biff]

I fooled around as a kid on the speed bag years ago at a YMCA. But it wasn't until Feb. of 2008 that I actually bought a board and bag, and added a speed bag workout to my fitness regimen. I started on my own, using what I later learned to be the "basic rhythm."

I soon got bored with that, after a few weeks, I searched the web for "speed bag workout" and found Alan's site and Tim's forum. I bought Alan's book and DVDs, and watched many YouTube videos. After that, I too became addicted and have been bagging ever since. Life's responsiblities and some family issues slowed me down for awhile, but I'm back at it again.

Almost a year later and I'm still amazed at the knowledge and skill of our members.

Not to highjack this thread, but what ever happened to BillyMack?

[Speedbag]

I fooled around as a kid on the speed bag years ago at a YMCA. But it wasn't until Feb. of 2008 that I actually bought a board and bag, and added a speed bag workout to my fitness regimen. I started on my own, using what I later learned to be the "basic rhythm."

I soon got bored with that, after a few weeks, I searched the web for "speed bag workout" and found Alan's site and Tim's forum. I bought Alan's book and DVDs, and watched many YouTube videos. After that, I too became addicted and have been bagging ever since. Life's responsiblities and some family issues slowed me down for awhile, but I'm back at it again.

Almost a year later and I'm still amazed at the knowledge and skill of our members.

Not to highjack this thread, but what ever happened to BillyMack?

I don't know exactly, but I suspect that life and other interests got in the way. I have personally drifted in an out of various different online forums, on many subjects, only to find months have gone by since I checked in. With so many things to do and so little time it is easy to get lost. when I was a lot younger and spent much more time in the gym, or under the board, then I do now, I wouldn't have near the time to post and answer emails. Perhaps he is just punching more and writing less. I hope so.

[spinsmashpop]

What ever happened to Billy Mack?

I was just wondering the same thing. That Billy Mack is one serious bagger with unique techniques. Maybe I'm just too new at this, but outside of my interest in all things revolving around music, this is the only other thing I've started that I'm real serious about. I would be real surprised to hear that a guy that put in the time like Billy Mack is off onto some other interests.
C'mon, the awareness of the art of the speed bag can be taken so much farther!
Everyone I know agrees about one thing... when a person witnesses another person kickin' butt on the bag, it is pretty much universally classified as "cool" and "impressive". It stops people in their tracks. It forms crowds. It gets people excited. I really believe that with a bit more exposure, the bag can be looked at as a sport in itself! And dang-it, Billy Mack is one of the cats that should be a part of it!!!
Oh, and by the way, since I am already sidetracking hard in a thread I started, (!!!!)... Just when I thought I was getting some new technique together, I go and view an Alan Kahn clip and he whips out a L reverse punch right after a Rt. D-ES (downward Elbow Strike).... whoa! But the great thing is it is all inspiring and not at all overwhelming! AK, soon we must finally chat on the phone!
And Tim, great clip you brought back of Billy Mack and that 6 way, right Elbow/Fist/Elbow, left Elbow/Fist/Elbow sequence!... that is killer!

[PIEFURZ]

It all began...

Spin, thanks for starting this thread. I've been wondering how people got started and the stories are familiar. You see, hear and try the bag and you love it. In 1977 while stationed at Hill AFB, UT a friend of mine, Tom was into martial arts and mountain climbing. A slim wirey guy, who Speed Bag Skunk reminds me of in more ways than one, showed me how to punch. I was on my own after that and probably got less than a years worth of baggin. A military bag and a smaller one, nothing like the speed deamons of today and a good sturdy board. I though I'd toughen my fist by hitting hard and fast but ended up with cracked knuckles. I spent the rest of 24 years in the AF seeing bags only a couple times again. In Turkey they had a heavy bag hanging from a SB swivel, I wanted to get it fixed but figured I'd be gone before that happened. Well anyway I got to the DC area and finally joined a fitness center with a cheap rig that finally fell apart. They replaced it with a nice BALAZ speed and heavy bag stand but didn't bolt it down. They pulled it out of the aerobics room because "people kept moving it around near the sprinkler heads" Duh. I've got a board in the apartment mounted to the top of a tipped over salvage dresser, have to sit on the floor to bag. Also work out at gyms on the joint Navy and Bolling AFB, DC. Went to Speed Bag 2010 for my first visit with pro speed baggers and great friends.

[crapshoot]

Hey PIEFURZ, great idea on your setup. You can get a few minutes in while deciding what to wear.

As far as my involvement, 3 months. Actual bagging....a few days . Between life and trying to figure out how to setup my equipment there was a lag. I have been into general fitness off and on since high school (swimming, weights, jump rope, cross-country running, 1600/3200 M, shot put, discus, etc.). The "on" periods usually spurred on by the "off" periods .

I had to hop back "on" and wanted to find something to work off stress. Regular exercise works for the rest of the world but not for me. Bag workouts seemed like the obvious conclusion. So, I designed my soccer/basket ball setup (ended up as a double double-end bag). As I researched hand wraps and how to use them, I came across Alan's site. That led to Tim's forum. Which led to me getting my first setup.

[metaldad]

I thought I already respomnded to this........ I actually learned how to hit the bag at Ft Sam Houston Texas in 1989 during AIT in the Illinois National Guard. I would go to the gym there and practice almost every day. Fast forward to 2007....after wanting to get back into bagging for a few years, I saw, of all things, a Chili's commercial with a pro fighter (For the life of me , I can't remember his name or find the video on Youtube) hitting the bag and chanting I want my babyback babyback babyback babyback over and over and keeping the beat and rhythm!! It was the coolest thing at the time. After saving up enough money, I bought the Century Speedbag/Heavybag combo stand. After working on that for a bit, I stumbled onto Alan's website while searching for a little how to on bag usage, seeing Alan punch drum was awesome enough. Seeing him on the stationary bioke, baggin' and singin' to "Space Jam" hooked me, and then I've been here ever since seeing some of the BADDEST MOFOS (Ladies included) on the planet hit the bag.

[Mrs Mitts]

I started doing a boxercise class a couple of years ago for fitness and soon fell in love with many aspects of boxing training – padwork, skipping, punchbag, circuits. There are a few speedball platforms at the gym but never saw anyone really using them. While browsing Youtube for heavy bag workout ideas, I came across ‘how to speed bag’ videos and of course Speedbag Skunk. I thought it looked fantastically skilful and very cool and knew I had to give it a try.

Got a cheap platform secondhand last summer and have been trying to learn from youtube clips since then. Discovered Speedbagcentral and this forum at the beginning of the year which has been fantastic. Now I feel I have more of a plan – like learning how to identify different techniques and how to improve skills. Love to watch anyone and everyone having a go on the speed ball.