Speedball platform height

[Monkeychops08]

Hey. Im new to speedballs and am a girl so please excuse any ignorance! LOL.

I have just invested in a speedball in the hope to tone up my bingo wings for summer! I am going to get my neigbour round tonight to fix it up for me. The one I have bought off the internet has adjustable heights....what height should I get him to put the lowest setting at if I am 5ft 5 1/2 or does it not really matter?

I take it these can be fixed to breeze block walls in the garage?

Thanks

[crapshoot]

Welcome! I am a boy and my ignorance on this topic is just as big as any other person new to something. So, now worries and you are off to a good start like the rest of us by coming here and asking questions.

As to the height, the conventional wisdom is that the belly (widest part of the bag) be about mouth/chin height. What I did was I made sure the unit was adjusted to the highest setting, lay on the floor with the unit, lifted the bag and slid under to the point were I could give the belly a peck (honest, no weirdness ensued ). I have 12 inch tiles so that made the measuring easy.

You don't want to mount the brackets/part that goes on the wall to low. As you improve, you will start using smaller bags and will need to lower the drum/platform, so you will want room to move. At 5'5.5" you have a lot of wiggle room. I'm 6'4" so I have to mount it right at my 8' ceiling level.

If by breeze block, you mean concrete/cinder block (see, ignorance is everywhere ) then you will need anchor bolts. Double check the packaging to see if they have any mounting instructions and recommended hardware.

When you have the chance, definitely check out speedbag central for lots more information and certainly keep the questions coming here.

Good luck.

[Monkeychops08]

crapshoot - thanks lots for your reply

My neighbour should be knocking on my door any minute now, so I will let him read your mail before he starts drilling into my garage wall! ha ha

I cant wait to try it out - got a massage booked first, then gotta have my hair coloured (ha ha, typical girly stuff eh!) and then I will try it out later.

I see someone mentioned putting some padding behind the brackets, I have some spongy stuff kicking about in the garage so I will perhaps use some of that to dampen the noise

Thanks again

[paranday]

Where are you located, Monkeychops? The word "speedball" is a European/Australian term, so am just wondering!

[Mrs Mitts]

Welcome to the forum Monkeychops, great to have another girl on board

Hope you got your board put up ok!

I've learnt so much from this forum, there's so much advice and inspiring videos to watch I'm sure you'll be addicted to the speedball in no time!

AND, bingo wings will definitely soon be a thing of the past!

[Monkeychops08]

Im from the UK Paranday, what are they called normally then? I only use it as I got it off ebay and thats where I bought it...

[Monkeychops08]

Hey Mrs Mitts,

Yeh, the board is up great, am a bit worried about how much noise I will be making on it as my garage joins onto next door, but hey, it was him that put it up for me, and afterall, needs must!

I cant wait to really get into it - me & my best friend already go to box fit and we really love it - great way to de-stress after a pants day at work!

So the ball will really beat my wings will it (providing I put the time in)?

[Mrs Mitts]

The noise is all part of it, ha ha!! Actually you can muffle things a bit with a sandbag on top which will also help with cutting down on vibrations. Check out the pics of people here and you see everyone has put something on top of their platforms.

I also got into the speedball from box fit classes which I like a lot too. Have you checked out youtube? If you find speedbagskunks channel there's a load of 'how to' videos on getting started with basic punches. Then there's a whole lot of other guys and gals to learn from as well.......

But just try and do a bit a day, and it's great for toning your arms and shoulders. Just ask MsDeville! Also a LOT more fun and skill than doing tricep dips all the time...

Any speedball platforms at your gym?

[paranday]

Im from the UK Paranday, what are they called normally then? I only use it as I got it off ebay and thats where I bought it...

Speedball is fine. I thought you might be in the UK, so was wondering if you are planning to go to Speed B.A.G. 2010 UK at the Cheltenham Boxing Academy in Gloucestershire July 18th?

[Monkeychops08]

Prob not, as I dont think im anywhere close to cheltenham, but you never know, if the weather is good and my car is fixed...!

[Monkeychops08]

Mrs M, Yes, id seen that about sandbags - will defo get one - need a big burly guy to get it up there for me tho!
No, havent looked at youtube, but I will do that tomorrow, thanks
Euugh, tricep dips, not my cuppa tea!
No, there are no bags at my gym as far as I know, but then again, I dont go in there - I just go to the boxfit class, cant afford a gym membership right now.
How long have you been using speedballs? How long does it take to be able to get a rhythm?

[MsDeville]

Welcome to the forum, Monkeychops08!

Mrs M, Yes, id seen that about sandbags - will defo get one - need a big burly guy to get it up there for me tho!
No, havent looked at youtube, but I will do that tomorrow, thanks
Euugh, tricep dips, not my cuppa tea!
No, there are no bags at my gym as far as I know, but then again, I dont go in there - I just go to the boxfit class, cant afford a gym membership right now.
How long have you been using speedballs? How long does it take to be able to get a rhythm?

Hooray! Another woman on board! Welcome Monkeychops. You'll find TONS (or is it KILOS in the UK? ) of information here. Including little tips, such as if you put sand on your platform, make sure that it is in a sealed bag/sack. Otherwise, as you work out, the vibrations could cause bits of sand to drop from above and possibly fall in your eyes!

There are a few other women here, although at the present time, it's mostly Mrs. Mitts and myself posting messages and questions, as well as videos showing our progress.

Just a few suggestions:

When you first start, it's a good idea to use a large speedball that has a good bounce/rebound off your platform. (I started out on an Everlast bag.

You might find it useful to wrap your hands (with NON-woven) material, or a thin pair of boxing mitts or gloves (again, with no weave OR seams.) Otherwise, you'll feel it after just a few minutes of punching.

A good pair of workout shoes is important. (Oddly, I have found that if I wear shoes with no arch, my feet begin to ache after just 30 mintues... maybe just old age...

As for hitting a speed bag (ball) to get in shape... I can attest to that! I can't stop talking about it with everyone I meet! I began 9 months ago – in August 2009. My weight didn't change right away, but within weeks my clothes became too loose to wear. And, then the weight started to come off. But, I have gained a lot of muscle – from my arms down to my legs. (So, start saving up for a new wardrobe!)

I HATE exercising. This is NOT exercise to me.


We will be anxious to see photos and/or videos of your platform.

[Monkeychops08]

Hi MsDeville, thanks for your thread, I will respond to it later when I am at home.

Q - is there any particular part of the ball you should aim to be hitting - should it be the middle or towards the bottom of the bag?

Thanks

[Monkeychops08]

Hi MsDeville - thanks for the tips - I found some small bags of peat in my garage so they are both on top of my platform now.
I did 30 mins on the bag after work, couldnt wait to get home to use it I got some gloves with the platform set so have been using them, but also got some wraps with it too, so will try those out at the weekend.
I cant wait to need a new wardrobe.

My swivel makes alot of squeeking which I hope wont annoy my neighbours too much!

How long would you say it takes to get to a good standard?

Should you stand square on when hitting the bag or take more of a boxing stance?

[Biff]

Hey MC, you should check out Alan Kahn's (SpeedBag's) site: speedbagcentral.com. Then, if you stick with it, you should purchase his book and DVDs. You get a discount as a member of speedbag forum. Look here for details.

That will be the best investment you can make if you are serious about speedbagging. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress. Pretty soon you'll be addicted like the rest of us.