Punching bags...

[Minsc]

My punching bag fell down and I'm looking for a new one(the bag's fine but I think it's time for a better one)...

It should be a heavy bag.
It should also have some feedback telling me how hard I hit it(there should be a big difference in how much it moves or anything else between a medium punch and a hard punch).

And I'll need something to hang it on... What I was using now broke and I'd want to replace it anyway.

Also, my parents are worried about the joist breaking and causing the house to fall down, so they'll probably want to read about how safe/not safe it is to hang punching bags on ceiling joists.

They'll want some instructions on how to hang it up since they're not sure(my grandpa made the bag that fell down and I assume he installed the bolt).

If you think I should attach it to a wall/floor/stand, you could suggest that, but they're more expensive and space isn't an issue(except for the ceiling which is low).

I have some old small boxing gloves but I try to use just my hands(and vertical punches, which I hear are more safe).

[chopsaw]

A heavy bag won't do any harm to the floor joists in a house. No more than someone falling down inside. But I know that they can make a lot of noise bouncing around during a good work out. Have you thought of a double tie down bag? It's an inflatable ball that has a rope to the ceiling and an elastic to the floor. By using this bag not only can you improve your speed, timing, and accuracy. You can hit it as hard as a heavy bag, but it weighs next to nothing. Like a heavy bag you can punch, kick, elbow, knee the thing and no problem.

If you go this route, expect a bit of a learning curve.

If a heavy bag is what your heart is set on, they make them with a heavy base that sits on the floor and rocks, instead of swings, when hit.

[da1prophet]

Let's start with the basics. Throw away your old gloves and get some new gloves made specifically for bagwork. You didn't say anything about wrapping your hands but you also should get some hand wraps and wrap up before you start hitting the bag. There are other reputable brands, but here's a link to the Everlast bag gloves:

Bag Gloves from Everlast Boxing & Sportswear

and hand wraps:

Handwrap/Tape/Gauze from Everlast Boxing & Sportswear

I've got some of the EverGel glove wraps which are really cool. You wear them under your bag gloves or you can wear them alone for light workouts. Even if you go this route you need to know how to wrap your hands properly. Here's the basics:

The Proper Way to Wrap Your Hands

Now, lets talk punching bags. The thing the previous poster was describing is a double end speed bag (which looks like a ball with a rope on both ends). You can get a double end heavy bag, but in my experience it won't appreciably reduce the noise. Furthermore, if you want some sort of visual/tactile "feedback" from your punching the double end bag will reduce this.

You can also get a free standing heavy bag, which has the bag on a large post on a weighted base (which is usually filled with water or sand for even more stability).

I'm of the opinion, however, that you can't go wrong with a traditional heavybag. You can hang it from the ceiling but were I you I'd get one of the metal stands designed to accommodate a heavy bag and a speed bag. They'll cost you a few hundred bucks but take care of all of your bag hanging problems. It will probably also reduce the noise upstairs since it won't be connected to the ceiling at all. Here's the heavybag selection at Everlast:

Everlast Heavy Bags & Heavy Bag Stands from Everlast Boxing & Sportswear

Finally, don't get too hung up on how hard you're hitting the bag. Your technique, and following this technique consistently is far more important. Make sure you're throwing your punches properly--there was a lengthy thread on this here awhile back so do a search for it.

[Minsc]

I don't want to wrap my hands/use gloves though since it'd make me dependant on the gloves and wraps(I wouldn't be able to punch things well without them), I think...

It'd also cost half a thousand dollars for a stand, a punching bag, ect so unless there's another benefit to it rather than not having to hang on the ceiling, I'd rather go with the ceiling holder.. Noise isn't a problem since I'm doing this during the day.

I have a technique but it's one I made up. I can't find the thread though.

[da1prophet]

Originally Posted by Minsc

I don't want to wrap my hands/use gloves though since it'd make me dependant on the gloves and wraps(I wouldn't be able to punch things well without them), I think...

It'd also cost half a thousand dollars for a stand, a punching bag, ect so unless there's another benefit to it rather than not having to hang on the ceiling, I'd rather go with the ceiling holder.. Noise isn't a problem since I'm doing this during the day.

I have a technique but it's one I made up. I can't find the thread though.

Well, I wouldn't tell Floyd Mayweather, Jr. or Oscar De La Hoya that wearing gloves and wraps isn't the way to go. Take it from someone who's trained in boxing and knows countless boxers and MMA fighters--you've *got* to wrap your hands and wear gloves if you're going to do any serious bagwork. You won't become "dependent" on the gloves/wraps but it will protect your hands. Believe me, if you ever need to throw a punch in a street fight situation you'll do fine even if you train in gloves and wraps. In the meantime, its stupid to not protect your hands with wraps and gloves--there's absolutely no advantage to training without them regardless of your goals.

I'd also advise you against "making up" punching techniques. If you were an expert boxer you might have the knowledge to modify the tried and true methods. It's like jazz legend Charlie Parker once said: "Practice your scales, practice your scales, practice your scales. Then forget your scales and just play". Learning to throw a punch correctly are the "scales" for any fighting discipline. It'll teach you how to achieve maximum results while minimizing the risk of injury to yourself. Proper punching technique is infinitely more important than anything else--whether you're boxing or just wanting to defend yourself.

If noise isn't a problem there's no reason you can't hang it from the ceiling. Of course if you're not wrapping your hands or punching correctly you'll be nursing hand and wrist injuries most of the time so the noise will be completely irrelevant....

[Minsc]

I can't find any good sources for punching techniques though...

I tried using google to find it but don't get any results: site:stevepavlina.com punch proper - Google Search

I found this ( Wrist strengthening Ideas? ) but it's not a topic...

There are bag gloves, hand wraps, ect, at Dicks so I'll go there sometime...

[ArthurHung]

You've *got* to wrap your hands and wear gloves if you're going to do any serious bagwork.

There is no question that this is the second most important protective measure. I found that the best way to learn handwrap is to search for a good tutorial on youtube (it was from a kickboxer from Fairtex).

What's the first?

Simply punching technique. Honestly, I've tried video's and books before--I suggest you throw them to a corner of your room or sell them. There is no substitute for being taught well and I recommend you go to your local boxing/ Muay Thai gym before continuing.

For the bag itself, try the kind that does not need to hang on the wall (it requires water to fill up the bottom). I was a skeptic at first when using what I recommend below because when I first began Muay Thai on it using book/video instruction it hurt my hands and my legs could not handle it well either. When I joined a local gym, after a few months I got the jab down pat. Now, I can consistently make the solid "sound" with minimal energy and can confidently do it even without the glove, on my bag, without hurting my hand; when the technique is done well you have much less risk of damaging your wrist.

This is the bag that I use and highly recommend: Century Original Wavemaster - $147.95

Don't mind the slightly poor reviews. Those people have no technique and miss the point of using such a bag. When you have technique you can train and make good hits using only 10% of your energy--the TaeKwonDo reviewer is using 60% to 100%. Ajahn at my gym recommends never going all out on the bag. Doing so doesn't deliver maximum power, proper technique and continuous practice does.

Though I thought one could only use it for punching it can also be used for kicking as well. Again, there is no substitute--this cannot be emphasized enough--for proper, formal training so I actually suggest you stop what you are doing completely before getting at least 3 lessons.

If I haven't convinced you here's the math

Lessons: ($40 to $50) x 3 = X
Hospital Bill and permanent wrist damage = A

Therefore, X is cheaper and better than A.

Anyways, I really hope you get someone who knows what they are doing if you follow my advice. Nowadays I get taught by the founder of the gym who used to compete at a high level in Thailand. I originally trained with his highly skilled former student of 16 years because the student was $5 cheaper per hour--but thankfully switched over to Ajahn (Muay Thai Master).

Ajahn taught the basics with such detail and ability that 5 minutes spent with him was worth half an hour of the time with the highly skilled former student. Though, if you had the same experience you might not get the same result; I naturally have very good muscle memory. But generally, value for money, go with the trainer with the most experience/reputation.