Bag inflation

[speedy G]

Is there such a thing as standard bag inflation?

Most bags say inflate to 4psi- but what is the best psi? and if not 4 what psi do you start with - and does it really differ per bag - or bladder - or punching style - or all of the above and more?

If so - do you start at 4psi and adjust accordingly? Or do you start low (or high) and only adjust one direction?

And then, how do you know when you've achieved ideal psi? (max bounces per punch or something?)

thanks - mike

[Zaza]

I just go by feel...holding the bag, I press my thumbs into the bag, if I can push in about 1/2"... that's about right.

If a bag is too hard, it hurts the bare hand, too soft, requires more power to hit. Just find your happy medium. Sometimes it's best to keep the bag on the soft side when learning (to slow it down a bit)

It really is a personal preference....although I do find a 4psi in 6x9 bags just about right!

[Dutchman]

Once you find your groove, it becomes a matter of personal preference. The 4psi rating is pretty much the max you want to inflate most modern era bags to, and like Joe says, it doesn't hurt to keep them a little on the soft side. A lot of the old school bags (1950's and earlier) it's not unusual for the max pressure to be 3psi.

[speedy G]

Thanks Zaza and Dutchman! That settles that issue for me. -mike

[Dutchman]

Speaking of proper inflation, this is an really over inflated Everlast Plasticon bag.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps4Sg7E8RDE

It's a miracle that it's still in one piece

[Niki Knuckles]

Hi,

Most bags don't say 4 psi

I pump mine of to the manufacturers recommendation
2 of my RIVAL bags say, not to go over 7psi. a 6x8 and a 7/10
2 other RIVAL's, 6/9 and a 7/10 say nothing.
GENESPORT 4/5 peanut, says nothing.
TITLE gyro 5/8 says nothing too
Used EVERLAST and TKO bags I had said, not to go over 7 psi.

Suggestions...
Volleyball 5.8 - 7.25 psi
Basketball 7.25 - 8.7 psi
Handball 7.25 - 8.7 psi
Football 8.7 - 11.6 psi
Rugbyball 11.6 - 14.5 psi

I use all speed bags @ 7.25 psi. It's bouncy like a volleyball, hard like a basketball/handball.

Most challenging, advanced speed. NOT for beginners.
Moves like lightning. Need to be capable of serious control...

I like a very hard solid speed bag because I don't want it soft on my hands.
Miss-hits/long use cant hurt without protection.
Need tough hands. Now you're punching a Basketball, not a party balloon.
Triple elbow bumps happen on their own pretty much when the rebound is so much more effective.
I incorporate lots of multi bumping. Every strike done can be a multi bump.

That's what I have set up. I want to be fast, and I want it to hurt.
I want it to be hard to use. Not easy. Not slow and steady.
When my opponent drops their guard, I strike like a cobra, and my hands are like hammers.
They don't know whether or not to put um up, or hold their face.

I don't go under 5.8 psi.
4 psi in a speed bag is good too. Maybe less. Who knows??
Relevant to the user and what they want to accomplish.

So that's me. My bags, my platforms, my combos, my swivels, my room. All mine.
I'm use to it. I'm in control of it all. When things change, I do what's necessary and correct it.