ditto01

I have Ringside free standing bag with a Thai attachment. I really like it. It comes with rocks you fill with sand. If you go light you can kick the bag and have it move around. Fill it more and it stays in one place. It is springy so it doesn't jam you knee like some other free standing bags. We had one of the wavemasters and filled the base with sand, but ended up kicking the pole off of it. Here's the links: http://www.ringside.com/store/prodinfo_punchingbags.asp?number=FHB&variation=&aitem=35&mitem=124 http://www.ringside.com/store/prodinfo_punchingbags.asp?number=FHBTHB&variation=&aitem=36&mitem=124

I have a foot problem and have been wearing shoes the last couple of years. We work out on hardwood floors. If it was padded I don't think I would have to wear them. They stick to the floor for turning kicks, so I have to be careful not to twist my knee. They also seem to mess with my balance. I had surgery this week to correct the foot problem. Hopefully in a few months I can quit wearing the shoes. Mine are Mooto. I tried several different ones. Mooto seemed to provide the most support while still being light and the best on the hardwood floor.

Woli Trokm Elf Dart of Midol

Two things I enjoy doing is to show a few techniques and how they would actually be used as a defense. Then from the front of the class I initiate the offense and have everyone in the class do the defense. Like I slide forward, they slide back. I do a backleg roundhouse, they answer with a front leg round house. It makes them think and keeps their interest. Another is to call off techniques fairly quickly and they do it whenever it is called out. Pushup, hop, kicks, punches, stances, etc. It helps their listening and cardio. If they are having a high energy night, it works of some of the energy so they can concentrate when you move to forms or improving techniques.

I like this one from Ringside with the Thai attachment. It is much sturdier than the wavemasters and doesn't move around as much. http://www.ringside.com/store/prodinfo.asp?number=EFHB&variation=&aitem=10&mitem=108 http://www.ringside.com/store/prodinfo.asp?number=FHBTHB&variation=&aitem=1&mitem=1

Ace makes a bandage that velcros to itself and has a pocket that holds an ice gel pack. I picked up a couple at the drug store. Works great.

$500 is unreasonable. I moved to a different school because of excessive testing fees. $110 for a black belt (no dan). Then $400 for 1st dan plus you had to buy a new BB uniform at $70. At the new school I paid $175. This included $ 90 KKW Registration $ 25 Embroidered belt and the 8 boards we are required to break. We also had a visiting black belts do our grading. I don't think they are paid, but the instructor usually takes them out to a nice meal. The instructor may have made $20.