Heavy bag/upper body cardio

Packard · Post by **Packard** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 7:56 am

After about a 4 year hiatus from punching the heavy bag I started up again last week.

I know, of course, that hitting the heavy bag is a heavy duty upper body cardio training method. Even if you run a marathon you will be breathing hard after just 2 or 3 minutes of hard strikes against the heavy bag.

What surprised me though is the muscle soreness in lower back, hips, femoral biceps and (especially) in calves.

I know that I punch (properly) using entire torso, but I was surprised nonetheless, at the extent that I was using lower body during this exercise.

I will stick with it for as long as hands allow (I have arthritis). Maybe I'll beat up a few neighbors as well (just for the cardio benefits).

Nokie173 · Post by **Nokie173** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:29 am

Gosh... I feel sorry for the neighbors...

Have you ever tried kicking the bags? that's a good work out too?
Like... Side kicks or round house kicks?

Packard · Post by **Packard** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:12 pm

Nokie173 wrote:Gosh... I feel sorry for the neighbors...

Have you ever tried kicking the bags? that's a good work out too?
Like... Side kicks or round house kicks?

I have.

But I have a Concept II rower that gives good cardio for the legs and back; I think I'll stick with beating up the neighbors (they deserve it) and punching the heavy bag.