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[zAcH]

Do you guys know if there is any real difference between muay thai heavy bags and regular heavy bags. I know muay thai heavy bags are longer and skinnier, but is there any other major difference?

[RASor]

Osu Zach-san,

Muay Thai heavy bags are tall to accomodate the high kicks(jodans) and knees(hizas) which often are aimed at their opponents head/face. The bag being tall and heavy develops height and strength in execution of strikes making it more effective in penetrating the opponent's defense or in just knocking him out. Most Thai boxer aim high because the face is the most vulnerable part of the body to attack. All other parts could be hardened and sacrificed without much damage.

Regular bags are built for punching thus its shorter height. Here fighters often concentrate on hand strikes since this is considered the deadliest weapon in the arsenal. Leg workouts are of less priority and oftentimes not even included in the training program.

I hope this is of help.

Osu.

[Spirit]

I'd like to add to that, and say that the long bag is made for low kicks. Any bag can be used for high kicks by addjusting the hight from point it hangs.

Bags are tools and a good fighter will use all tools to improve their skills!

The 6' bags gives you a larger more human size to focus on. Your able to hit the bag at all levels on one bag.....
Though remember you need multi sized and weigth bags to be effective. If you can have 2-3 different size bags and different weigths then do so.
To be an all around bag person you need a light 40lbs bag for some things an 80lbs for others and the 6' for many things...as well your double end and the like bags.

[zAcH]

Thanks for the insight, you guys. I have also heard that muay thai bags don't swing around or move as much as regular heavy bags when you hit them.

[Spirit]

If your bag (no matter weight/size) is swinging all around when you hit it, it means you are pushing it not "hitting it"
A bag hit correctly should go up first then move a "little" to the side away from the strike.

[RASor]

Osu,

Altough I agree with jap-man san re: swinging bag is pushed than being hit. Some bags swing due to the amount of force that is thrown to it which it could not absorb. Thus absorbing excess force by swaying.

You could say I am old, but when the Ali-Frazer fight was held in Manila. They had a public presentation of their training retinue at the Folk Arts Theater. I was seated at the bleachers, a young boy, very excited. Mighty Joe started bag training with this extra-wide bag (oversized), as wide as him. He kept punching and hitting it with such power I could hear the swoosh of his punch and the smack from where I was seated. The bag did sway a lot. Similarly with Ali, the swoosh and the smack, wow, I will never forget that experience.

So, judge the strike by its penetration for me that is what matters. Penetrate the bag with your kick or strike this will give more power to the blow making it more destructive.

Practice is the key, begin light, gain control then move to heavy punching, look for depth (dig deep and deeper), then go back light gradually to heavy. Aim your strikes set up target points (color code if necessary) to help improve direction and technique.

Best wishes on your bagging.

Osu!

[alan]

I got two fairtex 6" heavy bags for our dojo. Took some time to fill them but it was all worth it. I can really recommend these bags.