Martial arts standing bag - need advice

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You should know that no matter how solid a free standing bag is, it will move if you kick it reasonably hard. That's just the way it goes. If you don't want it sliding around the floor, you're going to have to get a hanging bag like guids recommended.

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It's a 9 year old and a 5 year old. I'm sure they have a few years before they have to worry about this problem.

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and parents... for that matter, a 9 year old could probably move these types of bags a couple inches with a sidekick.

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I was not under the impression that OP would be using the bag. If he is not, I don't think this will be a big enough factor where he would want to choose another bag.

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He said straight out he would be using it. Plus he wants it six feet high.

The difference in how hard an adult can kick a bag and how hard a child can kick it is night and day.

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Aren't those thai bags very long?

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You will be so much happier with a hanging bag. Don't you have a house? Just hang it from a tree branch.

[Matt Flynn]

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I assume you're talking about something like this:




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that looks awesome.

[Matt Flynn]

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You will be so much happier with a hanging bag. Don't you have a house? Just hang it from a tree branch.

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how much of a pain is it to hang?

[Point Point]

For the kids...


For you...

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You will be so much happier with a hanging bag. Don't you have a house? Just hang it from a tree branch.

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how much of a pain is it to hang?

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Reasonably easy, assuming you+wife can lift the weight of it which shouldn't be too hard. I used to take it on and off; I had one in high school but my mom didn't like the look of it so I'd put it up and use it then take it off and put it in the garage. You just throw a chain over the tree branch and leave the chain there and unhook the bag itself.

It just gives you a way better feeling of contact. Most standing bags pivot at the bottom. That means if you punch or kick high, near the top of the bag, you can exert a huge torque on it even if you're not very strong, which makes the bag tip, which makes the bag move or just gives it an unpleasant feeling of falling away from the impact.

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Yeah, your leg can fly over the top of it with a kick pretty easily. Kind of disappointing, especially since you can do it with a shove.

[Ook]

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I assume you're talking about something like this:




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that looks awesome.

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Actually after thinking about this a little more, this bag might be perfect for you. Whenever adults use these sorts of bags at tae kwon do schools, one holds the bag from behind while the other one kicks, and then they switch. This keeps it from moving all over the place or tipping over. I really agree with the above suggestion of calling local tae kwon do schools and seeing if any have used bags they'd sell.

[jfk]

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also, stability is key as there will be unprotected drywall behind it.

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I'll offer another vote for the hanging heavy bag (which are relatively easy to hang), though you may want to shop for one which has a ring at the bottom. With the ring you can fasten a bungee cord to the bottom and attach it to a hook which you fasten in the floor (if possible) or to a heavy object.

The bags swing a lot, especially with kicks, and you'll eventually destroy a piece of drywall. You will need to put up a piece of plywood or something similarly sturdy to protect the drywall.

Also, I don't know much about the strain on a child using these, but it may be worth it for you to buy an adult sized (80 or 100 lbs) bag for your use and a smaller (25-40 lbs.) bag for your five year old. Kicking a big heavy bag may not be a problem for a five year old, but hitting one could be an unnecessary strain.