BOB and Wavemaster Punching Bags

[Cross_Trainer]

I am contemplating getting one of these two freestanding bags due to space limitations at my house. Has anyone had experience with either of these products? Are they reliable? Are they useful? And is BOB's lifelike shape worth the extra money?

Incidentally, I would be using it solely for punches--I am not sure if this has any bearing on the reliability of the bag or its stability, but I thought I'd mention it.

Thanks.

[Bushido58266]

BOB is definitely not worth the extra money and i dont prefer wavemaster either i prefer sand filled heavy bags because they are really a good workout and because sand makes a nice hard bag its good for strengthening ur fist. but if i had to choose i would choose a wavemaster

[ArmorOfGod]

Actually, I think everyone is a little too crititcal of wavemasters. I don't think they are as good as a hanging bag, but they are great for those (like me) who don't have a good beam to hang a bag from.

Get one; you will like it. Some have a tendancy of "walking" while you are using it, but if you fill it right with the water, that should help.

By the way, Kmart has one made by Everlast that is just like a Wavemaster and you may be able to save a good bit of money by buying it from your local Kmart rather than ordering a Wavemaster online. Wavemasters are $119 from Century (then you have to pay shipping), but Everlast freestandings are $99 from Kmart.

Here it is:

http://www.kmart.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=150804&Ntt=boxing&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&N=1152&Nty=1

AoG

[Meguro]

If you must get a free-standing bag, the wavemaster would be a better choice. Frankly, both are so poor in comparison to a good heavy-bag that I wouldn't want to clutter up my home with either of them. If you have a training partner, you might want to consider air shileds, thai kick pads or focus mits.

[Spirit At Choice]

People are unloading their dusty Wavemasters all the time. Check your local Craig's List (https://www.craigslist.com) for used ones. Or, if you have time, scour the Goodwill once a week. I saw one at the local Goodwill on Saturday that was going for $25.

That way, if you decide you hate it, you can easily recoup your loss by turning around and selling it at the same price.

[ArmorOfGod]

Do you have a backyard?

If so, I can send you the plans to build a heavy bag stand like the one I have. I don't have a beam under my carport to hang mine, so I built a bag stand out of 4x4's & a whole bunch of carriage bolts from Lowes.

If you want me to email them to you, just say so.

I saw a Gold's Gym heavybag at Sears for about $50 (I think it was a 50 pound bag) and I saw a 30 pound heavy bag at kmart.com for $30.

Also, check craigslist.com and your local trade papers. You can get hanging bags (and Wavemasters) for good prices that way.

AoG

[jaymac]

If those are your options, Wavemaster is definitely better than BOB. You can also put sand in the Wavemaster Base to make it more sturdy against powerful strikes.

[aefibird]

I'd say a Wavemaster is better than a BOB, the shape of the BOB isn't really woth spending the extra ££ on, especially if you're thinking of buying a new one.

[granmasterchen]

be careful if you get the wavemasters they tend to break easily if you have powerful techniques. I have broken at least 8 in the past before coming to the conclussion that i should stop hitting them before i break anymore and cause my gym to pay extra money. If you unleash a solid and powerful strike it can easily break the hard plastic lining underneath the padded striking area which makes a large mess when the water comes leaking out or pouring out and it will definitely destroy any wood boards you may have in your floor. The techniques that i usually end up breaking them with are palm strikes, elbows, or side kicks. I also have a very large background in breaking bricks and similar material, so that may or may not have an impact on why the wavemasters don't last long around me, it could be that i am hitting through the target and damaging the inner structure where as most people simply hit the surface for strikes in a cardio based workout. Just my info to try and help you make an investment decision. I would go with the heavy sand bags or similar type of device, if you have a yard, i would recomment digging at least a 3 foot hole and placing a large post in the ground, wrapping it with some clothesline type rope and use that as your striking target similar to the makiwari....but again it depends on your preference of striking materials and what type of workout you are planning on getting whether it be cardio, strenght, or conditioning techniques.

[UseoForce]

I'd buy a BOB in a seconmd if someone made one for 100-150 dollars.