If you are a budding boxer or seek to do your own private striking training, you may be considering a speed bag for your home or gym.
These bags are fantastic at improving your hand-eye ordination, while also improving your overall strength and agility. The speed bags need to be hoisted on a platform so that the bag is able to move freely when you hit it.
Image | Product | Buy |
---|---|---|
Everlast Speed Bag Platform | Check Price | |
MaxxMMA Heavy Duty, Adjustable, Speed Bag Platform Kit | Check Price | |
Ringside Heavy Duty, Boxing Training, Speed Bag Platform | Check Price | |
MaxxMMA Speed Bag Swivel | Check Price | |
Speed Bag Wall Mount | Check Price |
There are dozens of platforms in the market, so choice paralysis can make it very difficult to pick out the best options.
Therefore, without proper guidance, you might pick out the wrong option for your needs. This article looks at some things to check when buying a speed bag platform.
Table of Contents
WHAT DOES A SPEED BAG PLATFORM DO?
A speed bag platform is designed to help improve hand-eye coordination and hand speed for boxing or any striking form of combat sports.
Mounting a speed bag may seem like a mundane job. However, it is an essential part of the whole setup. It allows you to hit the bag freely without the risk that you will ram your hand onto the wall or other solid surface.
You mount the bag at the bottom of the platform to hang from the top. Here is a list of things you may want to check when buying your next platform.
FIXED AND ADJUSTABLE SPEED BAG PLATFORM
If you have a room with a low ceiling, you may go with a fixed height speed bag platform. Once you mount the platform, you can use your speed bag as it is.
On the other hand, if you would like to experience changes in motion, which affect your punching, you may consider a variable height platform. Variable height platforms are also ideal if several people use the speed bag.
Variable height platforms can adjust up to 25 inches or more. They are great if looking to vary your exercise and resistance. The whole family can also take advantage of such equipment as each member would just adjust the height to their preference.
MATERIALS
You need to consider two parts of the platform when buying a speed bag platform; the platform and frame. The frame is an integral part of the setup as it holds the entire bag onto the ceiling or the wall. It takes the hit when the bag is swinging. Therefore, it should be sturdy enough to withstand its wear and tear.
If you are a professional fighter, you need a heavy-duty frame to take the high power, successive punches that such boxers make. You do not want to knock down your bag with every few hits. Go for a frame made of durable steel, welded or nuts bolted in place.
The platform can be made of metal or wood. Wood platforms are more popular due to their aesthetic appeal and whisper-quiet performance when the speed bag is in motion. You may find a few plastic platforms, however, they are not as strong as strong hardwood ones.
SWIVEL MECHANISM
When training, you may want to vary the swivel mechanism so that you can lock your bag in place and have some free movement when you need it. Look for a mechanism that shows both qualities. Many of them are free moving with a nut mechanism that you screw in place when you need to lock it.
Amateur trainers may want to start with a bag that locks in place. This is because their hand and eye movements are not well coordinated. However, when their skill levels improve, they can release the bag to get better challenges with a free-moving bag. This feature works well with height adjustment.
AESTHETICS
Even with all the functionality, you need a platform that also looks great in your gym. If you are going for a steel frame, it should be well-polished and in your preferred colour. The wood should be treated and painted with either varnish or your favourite shade.
Many speed bag platforms are of the same shape, a round platform held on the top or side by a frame. However, you may find a few odd shapes in the market. Check to see if they fit your overall style preference before making a purchase.
EASE OF ASSEMBLY
Most of the platforms will come in parts. You may want to check if the model you pick is easy to assemble by looking at customer reviews. Go for platforms that do not require any technical knowledge and special tools. You want to install your platform all by yourself or just one helping hand.
In addition, go for a platform that does not require lots of maintenance, including regular oiling and complicated adjustments. It should not require lots of care except for cleaning.
SIZE LIMITS
Speed bags come in various sizes. While there are no significant changes regarding sizes, a few brands give you the maximum weight it can hold. If you are a professional athlete, you may want to go for a platform that allows you to use any size bag. Check the user manual for size limits.
PRODUCT WEIGHT
You want a product that is not too heavy for your ceiling or the adjacent platform. Remember, you will add some extra weight when you place your speed bag. When making a decision, balance between the weight of the item and its durability so that you have an item that is not too heavy or too light such that it breaks down.
Pricing
The price varies across the board. We recommend checking various brands and determining the brand that meets your budget. If working with a shoestring budget, it is good to go for a model that is not too expensive but also not a poor one. However, price should always come last after checking all the other features discussed above, so that you do not end up with an overpriced useless platform or choose a very low-quality item.
The best speed bag platform is durable, easy to assemble, allow for height adjustability and enhance your aesthetics. You may want to read customer reviews about the quality of the product and its durability. Finally, check the aesthetics, with the core areas being the design, colour and polish.
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Image | Product | Buy |
---|---|---|
Everlast Speed Bag Platform | Check Price | |
MaxxMMA Heavy Duty, Adjustable, Speed Bag Platform Kit | Check Price | |
Ringside Heavy Duty, Boxing Training, Speed Bag Platform | Check Price | |
MaxxMMA Speed Bag Swivel | Check Price | |
Speed Bag Wall Mount | Check Price |
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