6
How to Use the Speed Bag
HOW TO ADJUST THE SPEED BAG RACK
To adjust the height of the SPEED BAG RACK, first
loosen the two adjustment knobs. Next, raise the front
of the drum until you can slide the frames up and
down. Raise or lower the frames to the desired height,
and then lower the front of the drum so that the pins on
the frames slide into the desired small adjustment slots
in the brackets. Then, retighten the adjustment knobs.
PROTECTING YOUR HANDS
When using a speed bag, protect your hands with a
good pair of boxing gloves or bag gloves. Do not
skimp—purchase the best you can afford. It is not
worth saving a few dollars and ending up with an
injury. A pair of 16-ounce boxing gloves is recommended. The additional padding will protect your hands and
will reduce the trauma to your wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints. For added protection, some people wrap
their hands with cotton wraps like those used by boxers. Other people feel that if they need to wrap their
hands, they are hitting too hard.
HOW TO USE A SPEED BAG
Among the best equipment for developing speed, accuracy, and timing is the time-tested speed bag. However,
learning to use a speed bag requires practice and
patience.
To use the speed bag, stand with your feet parallel to
each other at a comfortable distance apart. Start by hitting the bag with one hand. A backhand punch is recommended (the backhand punch is applied with the
meaty part of the hand between the wrist and the base
of the little finger). Make sure to hit the bag straight.
One of the most valuable features of the bag is that it
forces you to hit it directly and crisply so that it returns
to you. After you strike the bag, let it hit the far side of
the drum, then let it hit the near side of the drum, and
then hit it again when it is halfway back to the far side
of the drum. Try to keep your body still, with your striking hand making smaller and smaller circles after each
strike. If desired, use both hands to punch the bag the
first few times you use it.
For an alternate rhythm, strike the speed bag, allow it
to hit the drum three times, and then strike it again as it
comes off the far side of the drum. From there, work up
to striking the bag every time it hits the drum. Once you
have established a steady rhythm, increase your pace.
When you can comfortably maintain a faster pace, start
switching rhythms. For example, strike the speed bag
three times with your left hand and then once with your
right hand. As you become more skillful at switching
rhythms, you will find your body moving with the
rhythms.
Remember to keep your hands up. You cannot hit the
speed bag if you punch from your hips because you
cannot react quickly enough. In addition, you will not be
able to protect your face from the oncoming bag.
Drum
Pin
Frame
Adjustment Knob
Bracket
WARNING: Before beginning any
exercise program, consult your physician. This
is especially important for persons over the
age of 35 or persons with pre-existing health
problems. ICON assumes no responsibility for
personal injury or property damage sustained
by or through the use of this product.