Thing to kick/hit during Kickboxing videos

[zoelda]

I don't know what you call these, but I saw one in a Sears catalog this weekend. Does anyone use something like this? Is it good/bad/fun? I thought it sounded like fun to have something to actually punch/kick during videos... but I am not sure if it would be beneficial in any real way.

Anyone use one and have an opinion?

Thanks!
Zoelda

 

[mogambo]

Since you're all over the room while kicking and punching, I don't see how this could work. Also, I feel quite certain that you could hurt yourself . This is because Cathe's tape is not giving you all the details of fighting technique that you would need for actually making contact with something. Your wrist has to be just so, your knuckles make contact just so, your toes must be retracted, you side kick with the edge of your foot, etc, etc. There is recoil to absorb. It can certainly be done, but you need actual martial arts training to avoid injury. Once you know how to kick and punch, you can get quite a workout with a heavy bag, but I don't see how you could do all the traveling in a Cathe tape and always be in the right place to hit the bag when it's time to kick or punch.

 

[kittie]

Hi Zoelda!

I think it is great that you want to learn how to hit a bag. I have been practicing Shotokan Karate for over 6 years now, so does my husband. We have 3 bags of different styles, as well as several padded targets we use to practice different things.

I strongly urge you to try it out. You will be surprised at how much you develop balance, speed, strength and respiration.

I also caution you- If you are not trained in the proper hitting, kicking and punching techniques you could seriously injure yourself. That is not to be taken lightly. Even with the Karate classes, I had to spend lots of time diligently practicing proper techniques for holding my hands, fists and feet, as they really didn't do that type of training in our class.

I recommend you get a Century brand bag that has it's own freestanding base to start with. It will not swing back and forth like the kind you hang. Fill it with sand instead of water, for a more stable base. It is also softer than a heavy bag.

Good Luck
Kittie

 

[kathryn]

I wish there were more tapes out for use with the heavy bag. I use one (with Powerstrike Impact--a GREAT workout!--and TaE Bo Impact--boring compared to Powerstrike) and it really adds intensity to the kicks and punches. It helps firm up the arms really well. As others have mentioned, you should have good form before using a bag--and always use special bag gloves, or hand wraps and boxing gloves. I have a Century bag, filled with water (if you fill it with sand, I don't know how you'd ever empty it if you need to--I added bleach to the water to ward off any problems, but the container is sealed so maybe doesn't need it). Other tapes that would work with a bag are Stephanie Steele's kickboxing and boxing tapes, though I warn you that Stephanie has about as much charisma as cardboard, and the warm up and cooldown are awful.