I am doubtful of the speed bag's usefulness, at least compared to alternatives. It's main problem, IMO, is that its benefit package is too limited. I see its limitations as follows:
1. It's too static, basically being in the same place for each strike. 2. Related to #1, the movement arc is too small, its location being too easy to predict. 3. Accordingly, the timing is too constant. The result of #'s 1, 2 and 3 is that it's possible to close one's eyes and still hit the bag consistently. 4. The striking motion is too short and does not accurately replicate actual fighting strikes. 5. It does not allow for a wide variety of strikes.
Much better, IMO, is the suspended bag, tethered on top and bottom as posted by KFW. It is not limited to the 5 restrictions set out above. It's more dynamic with a much wider range of motion, providing better practice in eye-hand coordination, developing better accuracy and timing than the boxing speed bag. Tracking the target and planning intercept angles is required. And it allows a wide variety of realistic strikes (even kicks) which can be executed with full extension and power. Not only does it develop more skills, it's also lot more fun. Almost any way you look at it, it's more bang for your buck.
Glad I am not the only one that feel the speed bag is useless. The main thing I got out of is TIMING. That you learn to SYNC with the bag bouncing. I never try closing my eyes, but theoretically, it's possible if you get the timing down. There is no fast hands requirement, just timing.
I got into speed bag because I kept seeing people train in movies. Remember Rocky movies, always on the speed bag. So I thought there got to be something to it.
I did spent time on it, like 5 minutes a day, at least 4 days a week for a few months. I don't think I was that bad. At the time, there were 3 sizes bags, the big, medium and small. You start with the big one( I think that's what JowGaWolf used in the video). When you get too comfortable, you go to the medium size. Then when you get comfortable, you go to the smallest size. I was down to the smallest size already and at least I can go non stop. So I could not be too bad. I did NOT see any positive effect from that at all.
It is more like playing music using the Metronome when playing music, you learn to follow the timing and the beat. That is VERY IMPORTANT for playing music. You are supposed to play the song completely with the metronome without going off beat. BUT for punching, you don't follow a constant timing. In fact, you want to train to react to random events. Last thing you want is to establish a rhythm.
I thought if all boxer practice on that, there got to be something to it. I did practice a few months, NOTHING.
The funny thing like JowGaWolf said, he practice with hammer fist. I saw people practice like that. Why? I can see JowGaWolf's reason because he is in MA, they use hammer fist. WHY the hell boxer practice with hammer fist? For what. They never use hammer fist!!!
Can this be something like in TMA, it was handed down from the older days, that people NEVER stop and question the validity and just keep on doing just to follow the tradition without questioning? I sure see a lot of that in MA here. I never really stop and think until I started talking here and stunned how many follow just because "IT IS".
Like I practice Iron Palm for years, 3 times a week 10 minutes each time. I heard so much about iron palm and all the hype. I determined to practice it. The only thing I got out of it is two carpal tunnel on my hands. I had to have surgery on left hand, it was so painful and took almost 1/2 a year to recover. I am still trying not to have surgery on my right hand so far. I GOT NOTHING OUT OF IT. I do not hit any harder on the heavy bag. I would have been much better served practicing hammer fist on the heavy bag. Hammer fist can hit harder than palm. So many LIES and people got hurt. Well at least, you just waste time on speed bag, you won't get hurt. Not like the IRON PALM.
