Opinions on BOB, Spar-Max, 'torso bags', etc

**Mercurius** · Posted On: 7/11/2003 8:08am

Does anyone here have any experience practicing on a BOB ('body opponent bag'), Spar-Max, or any of the other bags on the market shaped like a human torso? If so, what was your opinion of them? Do they make bag practice more realistic, are they more (or less) useful than normal freestanding or hanging bags?

I would think that they'd improve practice due to the mimicry of the human body (i.e. would help in targeting specific areas), but I'm considering a purchase and I'd rather not go in with an unexperienced opinion. Thanks for your input.

**Stold3** · Posted On: 7/11/2003 8:15am

My buddy had one. I don't know...It was like punching a bag shaped like a body. I mean, it still felt like I was punching a bag and my punches still connected the same way they would with a bag. It would help if they came with adjustable arms.

**Phoenix** · Posted On: 7/11/2003 8:17am

The Body Opponent Bag (BOB) is a nice piece of kit. I like to train with it, and it seems to serve it's purpose. I like to use it for practicing precision hits, such as hits to the temple, septum, etc.

The best part about the BOB is that if you have a wavemaster or something like that, the BOB is interchangeable.

I just bought the BOB attachment, since I had a TKD wavemaster before. It was a little cheaper.

Le Grill?? What the hell is that?!! - Homer Simpson

**SamHarber** · Posted On: 7/11/2003 9:00am

The only worry I have about these bags is the lack of limbs to get in the way of your punches. When I used to fence, I had a foil attached to a wall with some springs, so that its natural movement would intercept me, so I had to compensate for that.
Something similar on a BOB would make a huge difference.

**PeedeeShaolin** · Posted On: 7/11/2003 9:46am

Yeah, I got an opinion on it: Take all the money you wouls spend on that piece of shid and buy a large pile of GARBAGE to punch and kick. You'll get about the same use from it and you can dispose of it alot easier when you realize you spent your money on something totally worthless.

http://store.yahoo.com/imass/fa-090306u.html

Invest in a Fairtex banana bag. Its less money, gives you more than twice the striking area, is more durable, and wont SLIDE across the floor everytime you hit it harder than the average 6th grade school girl.

The bag usually comes unfilled, but that means you can fill it with stuffing at first(if your shins aren't tough) and graduate to sand whenever you feel like it.

**Admin-Temp** · Posted On: 7/11/2003 10:11am

I'm a sucker for that kind of gimicky crap. I almost bought a BOB a few months ago. It's a decent idea, but I'd like to see one with adjustable arms and legs... a bit more realistic.

Of course, the best punching dummy is a sparring partner.

**CrimsonTiger** · Posted On: 7/11/2003 11:51am

We have two BOBs at the dojo. You want to know the only thing it's good for? Impressing people with kicks to the head area. LOL! So if you want to practice what it's like getting up over a shoulder and hitting the nogging with your kicks, it's great.

Or you could do what PeeDee (WB!) suggested and get a banana bag, wrap/mark the various targets of the human body on the bag, and beat the CRAP out of it instead. That's what I'd do. You can't really hit BOB or a wavemaster the same as you can a bag.

Regards,
CrimsonTiger

"Good is the enemy of Great" - T-shirt seen on Queen Street, Toronto

**Fisting Kittens** · Posted On: 7/11/2003 11:54am

I like using BOB its pretty good for precision training, and its great for pressure point training.

---------
Shut up and train

**Punisher** · Posted On: 7/11/2003 2:01pm

I like BOB. And I don't care he doesn't have arms. I do wish he had a adjustable neck so you could turn his head a differnt direction, set him at an angle, and simulate a lead.

And I dont know how hard you guys hit, but I find freestanding bags like BOB to be much more realistic than any hanging bag. Yes you cant hit low because of the base, and if you hit him high in the chest he might tip. But if you limit your kicks to the head or rib area, generally he just rocks a bit and comes right back, just like a real person.

You hit a hanging heavy bag and it swings around. The last time a person did after I hit them was when I hung so guy up in my garage because he owed me money.

<marquee>Dragon , Snake , Tiger , Leopard , Crane. R.M.F.A.F.T.A.T.! </marquee>

**CrimsonTiger** · Posted On: 7/11/2003 2:08pm

True dat, true dat...but you can double-end a banana bag can't you?

Regards,
CrimsonTiger

"Good is the enemy of Great" - T-shirt seen on Queen Street, Toronto