Athletic beginner with a few questions...

[Robert Hallton]

Hello all,

It's too cool that there's a forum on speed bags. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

I've placed an order, through Wal Mart, for the Everlast Adjustable Speed Bag Platform and am wondering which bag and swivel your readers would recommend based on the following:

1. Which bag to get?

I've used a speed bag only once but, according to the gym owner, picked it up quickly. I have good hand-eye and am looking for a system I can not only get the hang of now but also grow into...though I don't have any objection to starting with one bag now and getting other suitable ones down the road as I progress.

2. Is the swivel a big deal?

I want the best action reasonably available and wonder if the one delivered with this platform is perfectly fine or if I should be looking for a different type/model of swivel.

3. Did I get the right platform?

Do you think that the above Everlast Adjustable Speed Bag Platform is a decent product and worth ordering in my case?

4. Could I get any tips on where to order any additional bags and swivels that may be recommended?

Again, thanks very much for any advice you may be able to offer; I do appreciate it!

Sincerely,
Robert Hallton

[juxt]

1. The smaller bags are generally considered to require more skill to control. The larger bags can be a better workout because the weight of the bag will have your arms battling fatigue more.

2. There are certain swivels i prefer but its never been that big of a deal to me. I think all the different types function good, my main concern with swivels is how long they will last.

3. If its the economy set up with the black drum, i think they are OK. Its definitely not the most solid set up but it can handle a beating. I been punching on the economy set up for about 17 years.

4. I dont really have any good recomendations for a place to buy bags or swivels, i usually just look around the title or everlast site, or check out ebay. there is a member on this site jumpcannon ,who is selling hand made swivels that have gotten very good reviews.

[Robert Hallton]

Thanks, Juxt.

I'm also wondering about a recommended speed bag 'model' to consider. The more research I do the more confused I get--it seems that some bags don't bounce that evenly or are poorly made. Would you have any ideas about a good quality bag in the medium-sized range that I might consider?

Robert H.

[juxt]

i cant really recomend anything. There are a lot of speed bags that I've liked but very different from eachother. maby someone else has some good suggestions.

[Avadia]

Which Everlast platform did you order? If it is the one pictured here:
then it is a pretty decent board. I have one of those and it has been great. The swivel that came with it was a u-bolt, which is good for starting out. Once you get more skilled, you may want to progress to a ball-hook swivel, which allows you greater freedom for hitting from all sides of the bag.

As for bags, you could just start off with an Everlast Elite Leather TE:M, (available at many sporting goods stores) which has a nice feel for a beginner. [Warning: you may have to weed through a few before you find one that is perfectly round, and the leather begins to crack pretty quickly.] But as I said, it does have a really nice rebound and good feel for a beginning bagger. Otherwise, the medium size bags from Title are also great bags for the money.

[Robert Hallton]

Yes, that's the Everlast platform I ordered; the online reviews said pretty much what you did but I wanted to hear it from someone with direct experience so thanks for that.

When you say I may need to weed through a few bags to find one that's perfectly round...that sounds like a reason to not order online, since you get what they send. If that's the case, would you know where those Everlast Elite bags may be seen/sorted through as you suggested?

Thanks.

Robert H.

[Avadia]

I am pretty sure both Dick's Sporting Goods and Sports Authority carry them. Not sure who else does. Yeah, it would be good if you could buy one locally, since you will have to blow it up and hit on it to know whether it is round or lopsided. If you get a lopsided one, then you could just take it back and ask to swap it out for another. I bought a TE:M and a TE:L. The medium was fine, but the large was lopsided. I have heard of others having similar issues, which is why I gave you the heads up that it could be a problem. But despite that, I really do like the medium size for its comfort and feel when hitting it.

[Robert Hallton]

Am I correct that, when you check to make sure it's quite round, it's just a visual check that you do, sizing it up to try to find one that looks to you to have the best round shape?

Robert

[Tim]

Am I correct that, when you check to make sure it's quite round, it's just a visual check that you do, sizing it up to try to find one that looks to you to have the best round shape?

Robert

Hi Robert, welcome to the forum. The Everlast adjustable platform is indeed a very good choice. It's great "bang for the buck" - stable, adjustable and very affordable.

In regards to Speed Bags you will find that the Internet offers a lot of variety you can't get at local retail shops. Title bags are some of my favorites, but Ringside and Everlast also have some excellent bags (better materials, small and very small sizes, more variety, etc.) that can't be bought in retail stores. The only problem with Internet sales is returns are a bit more complicated should you get an out of round (or out of pear) shaped bag. That said, a little lopsided-ness is not a problem

*** I have not yet personally gotten hands on with a bag so lopsided it wouldn't work *** ... and I have punched on some lopsided bags. I have personally bought at least 25 bags over the Internet and have never had to return one.

[PIEFURZ]

Local stores will probably be easier to return to but my experience is that unless you buy a good replacement bladder you will probably be going back several time to find one that doesn't leak. I replaced an Everlast Te:M bladder with one from Title and so far good. The Te:M hits good but leather dries and cracks and the seams come to a point at the bottom that rake across the hands at times. I've used Te:L at gyms that held up better in the bladder department but are quite a cardio workout. I'm trying leather conditioner now for the dry out problem.

[Robert Hallton]

Thanks again for your replies; this is helpful information and advice.

I'm wondering if the "Everlast Leather Speed Bag (Medium)" at

http://www.sportsauthority.com/produ...d_ratings_head

is exactly bthe same product as the "Everlast Elite Speed Bag" recommended to me above on the forum (the word "Elite" is missing from the bag's description at that link so I'm not sure).

Thanks again.

Robert H.

[PIEFURZ]

I've questioned this before. I think that the E below the word Everlast on the bag may denote elite. It looks like my bag and the zip up net bag that it comes in from the store calls it the Te:M ELITE SPEED BAG. Manufactures don't seem to concerned to put out helpful information, like some don't give any measurements. I suggest looking for a good sale on Title web site or others that experienced baggers suggest. It's best to spend a little more for quality once rather than a little less for junk over and over. Get a medium bag to learn techniques at a slower pace and to work on cardio and warm up. Then get a small bag to perfect your techniques. Choose wisely grasshopper. Just don't snatch the cricket from my hand, it's my pet.

[SpeedKilz]

I've questioned this before. I think that the E below the word Everlast on the bag may denote elite. It looks like my bag and the zip up net bag that it comes in from the store calls it the Te:M ELITE SPEED BAG. Manufactures don't seem to concerned to put out helpful information, like some don't give any measurements. I suggest looking for a good sale on Title web site or others that experienced baggers suggest. It's best to spend a little more for quality once rather than a little less for junk over and over. Get a medium bag to learn techniques at a slower pace and to work on cardio and warm up. Then get a small bag to perfect your techniques. Choose wisely grasshopper. Just don't snatch the cricket from my hand, it's my pet.

Correct on the "E" being "Elite". When I was doing there catalogs they started this with their equipment. There is Novice, Advanced, Elite, Amateur, Professional. I think it's a simple way to categorize equipment. Basic mouth guards will be novice for the most part while things like training equipment (punch mitts, body protectors, hand wraps, etc.) will be advanced to elite. Comparing apples to apples a Protex 3 glove will be "Professional" while Protex 2 is "Elite" and their Pro Style Training Gloves will be "Advanced". It's good for helping the customer make the right decision for the most part but I don't think I've seen a speed bag labeled "Novice" and if it was it might be the size of a beach ball. Lowest I have in my catalogs here is "Advanced" for any speed bag. The popular Everlast 6x4 that many have is "Professional" but I won't go into the craftsmanship of my particular bag.

[PIEFURZ]

Correct on the "E" being "Elite". When I was doing there catalogs they started this with their equipment. There is Novice, Advanced, Elite, Amateur, Professional. I think it's a simple way to categorize equipment. Basic mouth guards will be novice for the most part while things like training equipment (punch mitts, body protectors, hand wraps, etc.) will be advanced to elite. Comparing apples to apples a Protex 3 glove will be "Professional" while Protex 2 is "Elite" and their Pro Style Training Gloves will be "Advanced". It's good for helping the customer make the right decision for the most part but I don't think I've seen a speed bag labeled "Novice" and if it was it might be the size of a beach ball. Lowest I have in my catalogs here is "Advanced" for any speed bag. The popular Everlast 6x4 that many have is "Professional" but I won't go into the craftsmanship of my particular bag.

SpeedKilz, thanks for the info. The picture on the link doesn't show the Te:M on the bag or mention it in the add so I was wondering if the E under the word Everlast meant elete but now that I've looked at my Ta:L and Ta:M bags they have the same E. I'm thinking that this is part of their logo. The original post points out that it isn't clear if the bag is a Te:M.

[SpeedKilz]

My bad. The Yellow "E" under "Everlast" is part of their logo. The new logo and the whole Training level thing came at the same time. Marketing package deal I guess.