Speed Bags or Reflex Balls exercises are a great way to enhance your hand-eye coordination, rhythm, accuracy, and speed. Thus, speed bag sessions are a must in the training routine of boxers to anyone from the Mixed Martial Art discipline.
Speed bags are usually small air-filled rubber sacks or made of a tiny pouch of sand. The speed bag platforms are designed to let the bag get the ideal recoil to optimize your workout. The hitting pattern of the trainer and the sound of the bag recoiling off the platform tunes the trainer to get a feel for rhythm.
You can find many speed bag platforms out in the market for the money. But where’s the fun in that? This is where this article on how to make a speed bag platform comes in handy. Making a platform from scratch gives you the greatest customizing capacity. So, let’s get busy!
Blueprint
Before we gather the equipment we need, let’s go over the big picture again to make sure we know what we’re doing. Throughout the DIY process, we will often return to this mental image and make adjustments accordingly.
The speed bag platform basically has two main parts. One is the platform where the speed bag gets attached to a swivel. It is also the base of the whole thing. The other one is the frame that holds this base. Also, you can easily search for high-quality swivels on the internet or work with a basic hook.
A great deal of your training output depends on how these two are set up. It is necessary to build the optimum speed bag base. It should be able to keep your momentum as you strike the punching bag and provide a decent bounce off the punching bag.
Thus, we have to ensure that each part is up for the gym challenge. We can invest most of the money we saved on better building materials since we are creating everything from scratch. For the platform, we prefer using wood because it ensures the best rebound quality.
The next thing is the frame where the wooden platform is going to sit. There is no right way to make the frame. Just make sure that the base gets firm support, or else the rebound quality will drop, and you will end up with a choppy platform.
To keep things really simple, we are going to use wood for the frame. If you have the necessary equipment, you may also go with steel. Our frame looks quite similar to a basketball hoop.
The first section is 30 inches X 30 inches square wooden frame that holds the circular 24 inches platform. The square frame gets attached with two 2X2 inches log that is 40 inches in height. They sit on the two sides of the square frame at almost 45 degrees. This holds the platform with the surface of the wall.
Preparing the Parts for DIY Speed Bag Platform
Firstly, we are going to need to cut out a circular wooden piece with a diameter of 24-inch, which is at least 1.5 inches thick. You can also smooth the surface out in the workshop. Such a large area will allow you to attach speed bags of several kinds. Also, now you have a chance of getting a good rebound.
Next, we have to cut four-piece of 2X2 inches of timber to the length of 30 inches for the wooden frame. Once we have them ready, we have to cut out two 2X2 inches log to the length of 40 inches for the support beams.
The pieces of equipment we will be needing other than these are the drill machine, nut and bolts, corner brackets, wood glue, and a swivel. These will take a little over 30$ and can be found in your nearest hardware store. So, once you have assembled everything, it’s time to make the platform for real.
Step by Step Guide: How to Make a Speed Bag Platform
As you have gathered all the parts necessary for the operation, it’s really straightforward from here. We are going to build the surface phase by phase. We are going to start with the square that will hold the base.
After measuring the base, gather the four 2X2 inches beams which are 30 inches in height. Make a 45-degree cut on one side of each of the beams. They will form the interior of the square. Connect the individual pieces with wood glue, and screw them up for firmness.
Then, you’ll have to attach the square frame with our circular base in the same manner. Remember, measuring out the area that the frame is going to cover will give you great leverage while setting up. The balance of the platform depends mostly on the framing.
Next, pick those 2X2 inch logs and make 40–45-degree cuts on the front end of both logs. Place these beams parallel to the front of the square frame. As you have made the cuts, you will have no trouble attaching the beams with the square. When you’re finished, make sure to trim off any excess material.
Now comes the decisive part. You have to decide whether you are going to buy a swivel or use anything else to attach the bags. Either way, you have to stick the mount with the circular base. And, after that, the basic structure of the platform is complete. It will look like the following when you are done.
Finally, it’s time to attach the platform to a solid backdrop of your choice with proper wall mounts. Hang the speed bag, and you are ready to dive into action.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the ideal height for a speed bag platform?
Ans: The upper part of your face should be in level with the speed bag. The bag’s bottom usually should be at an eye/nose height. This will allow you to strike the bag in the proper form and in the most natural plane of motion.
2. What is the platform made of?
Ans: The speed bag platform consists of several parts. Optimally, the base is wooden, and the frame is made of steel. But you can choose from materials that are available to you. Just a few good-quality wood pieces and some nails are what you are going to need in most cases.
Wrapping Up
We reached the end of our guide on how to make a speed bag platform. You can make this same product in many other ways. You can browse Pinterest for similar or complex structures for your frame. Either way, the basic principles remain the same.
Thank you so much for staying till the end. I hope you’ll have a great time making a speed bag platform of your own with our instructions. Farewell for now!
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