punching bag

[ozm8]

Hello I bought a punching bad with stand, speed ball, but the punching bag is unfilled. I do karate what materials should I use and where do i get them? Also should I just punch the bag like a boxer or should I do it karate style?

[Spodo Komodo]

Depends a little on the type of bag but in general you need something that will fill it out without going lumpy, provide enough weight to be useful and not be too hard to hit. I prefer chopped clean rags but it can take ages to get enough to fill a bag and chopping them can be a pain. If you can find an old sofa you might be able to rip enough fibre padding out of it to fill your bag. Sawdust is good and if you have a joinery shop nearby you might get it for free. Try to find somewhere where they cut a lot of softwood, many hardwood dusts and MDF are not great for the lungs. Punching a softwood dust bag smells great as well

As for using it you can warm up with a few rounds of quick jabs but if it is going to be of benefit in your karate practise then use karate techniques - junzuki, gyakuzuki obviously but also shuto, haito, tettsui, uraken, empi, all the kicks and knee techniques and so on. If your bag is able to swing a bit safely then you can give it a push and practice blocks or tai sabaki techniques where you move off the line to avoid the swinging bag and deliver a blow from the side or behind. Lots of fun to be had.

[cathal]

There's so many materials! Shredded tires, ripped clothes/sheets/rags, cotton, wool, rice, feathers, sand, and more.

A friend of mine found success with a rags & sand mixture.

[Wastelander]

I know some people who have had success collecting old t-shirts from garage sales and thrift stores that are too stained or torn for them to sell, and cutting them up to fill bags. As for how to hit the bag--hit it the way you train, and it will help teach you how to hit better, if you pay attention.