If you think that punching bags are all the same and there’s not much to know about them, then you definitely need to read on. From where they originated to why they’re used today, here is an overview that is bound to teach you something you didn’t know.
Origin
The punching bag originated so long ago that we don’t actually know when it was first used. As far back as written history can take us, we have records of bags filled with grain or sand being used for martial arts practice in Asia and swordplay and military training in old Europe.
Filling Materials
What you find inside the bag depends a lot on the size, shape, and structure of the bag, as well as what it will be used for. Small, lightweight bags can be filled with air. Medium sized bags could contain air or something moderate, like rags, or something even heavier, like grains or sand. Large bags almost assuredly are filled with sand, grains, or rags, and may have an inner ‘bladder’ to fill with water, which adds weight without requiring as much purchased fill.
Bag Styles
There are many different punching bag styles in use today, but here is an overview of the basics. Heavy bags are the large, torso sized (or bigger) bags that either hang from the ceiling or are affixed to a floor mounted pedestal. Uppercut bags are medium sized bags, generally floor mounted, with a bulge at the top, creating a ledge comparable in angle to an opponents jaw. Speed bags are small, about the size of a melon, and are filled with air and mounted on a spring to allow very rapid, light punches.
Purpose/Use
There are more reasons to use a punching bag than just to learn how to fight. This is, of course, one major use though, as they help boxers work on technique. Another major reason is that boxing a bag with light hits for a period of time is a great aerobic activity (and a nice change of pace for regular exercisers tired of machines). Others use them to build muscle strength and tone. And still others (probably a minority, but still important!) use them to relieve stress in a healthy outlet.