Amazon.com Reviews
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
The following review received 36 helpful votes out of 36 total votes:Review Date: 2007-11-03"Nice bag..."If your options are limited.
There's no replacement for a high quality banana bag but if you have no place to hang one or fear knocking the beams down from the ceiling in the garage, this is a really great option.
The bag itself is relatively light & a bit softer than I'd like it to be, but when the base is filled, it definitely stands up to whatever punishment you can dish at it. There is a bit of play (maybe an inch or so) which tends to loosen the more you kick or punch. (Though a quick twist of the bag on the base will eliminate the additional movement) That being said, here is a warning for you... If you like throwing elbows, either have a partner support the bag, or get in closer than you would a typical hanging bag. Reason being, if you stand too far out when you strike, the bag will move an inch or so away from you leaving a nice streak of skin from your now friction burned elbow. Knees are somewhat similar as well but without the burn. At the standard distance, you may as well throw knees at a curtain hanging in your hallway. In order to feel the bag, you'll need to get much closer which is a big awkward standing practically flush to the base. This could be detrimental to your training so it would be wise to grab a partner & hit the Thai pads so you get a little variation.
All in all, it does everything I need it to do. It tends to move all around the mats in my garage, even when completely filled but I don't really mind. Forces me to work the bag from all angles & whack it where I want it to go. I can practice all of my standard Muay Thai drills without a partner considering the fairly large surface area. Low kicks which you'd typically do w/ a partner holding a Leg Kick Pad, punches, elbows, knees, etc... Most importantly, I cannot kick it down. If you can kick this thing down, you should try out for the UFC or potentially as a Placekicker for the NFL. Better yet, go to the Lumberjack World Championships in Hayward, Wisconsin & blow away the competition by kicking trees down w/ your bare shins.
Suggestions: If they could build a non-slip base, eliminate the play & stiffen up the bag to simulate a heavy-bag feel, this would definitely be a true banana bag replacement...Regardless, there aren't any freestanding bags like this on the market & Amazon has the most competitive price with free shipping. Awesome... 3 stars The following review received 11 helpful votes out of 12 total votes:Review Date: 2007-05-10"More fun than I had hoped."I bought this product because I wanted something to actually hit while practicing boxing workouts. It has turned out to be the piece of fitness equipment I use most. Its great for cardio as well as upper body muscle toning. One thing I like about the XXL wavemaster is its size...you dont have to adjust the height of it for different workouts like my friend's everlast free standing bag, you can just change workouts instantly. It does move around on the floor a bit if you stay in one place and punch/kick it for a while but for me its a good excuse to keep my feet moving and rotate around the bag as I punch...I get even more of a workout that way. It's well made and seems quite durable so far. I'd recommend this product to my friends. 5 stars The following review received 11 helpful votes out of 11 total votes:Review Date: 2007-10-10"High durability, best in basement."I purchased the Wavemaster XXL hoping to improve health through regular exercise, no surprise that it worked wonderfully. To maximize your workout, it is recommended that you learn how to properly perform punches, kicks, etc. without hurting yourself. It is highly recommended that you purchase gloves or handwraps in order to prevent wrist injuries.
Pros:
-High density impact foam. They really mean it by "high", this thing can take a beating whether you're throwing punches, kicks, or baseball bats.
-Height. Easy practice on "different sized opponents" without having to readjust the height.
-Portability. You can move this anywhere you like (provided you empty the base), instead of having to screw it down somewhere.
Cons:
-If you fill this base with water, it will move indefinitely when struck. Water sloshes around inside whenever you hit it, and it can actually generate enough momentum to fall over. It is highly recommended you buy play sand instead. It should be about $5/20lbs.
-Even after it is filled with sand, it may still move a bit. This product is best used in a basement or on cement floors. The energy transfer, while miniscule, can be heard all over the house if you don't have floor studs. 4 stars The following review received 4 helpful votes out of 4 total votes:Review Date: 2007-10-24"overall great training bag."perfect height and circumforance for low and high kicks. doesn't feel like hitting a hanging heavy bag because it's bottom heavy so the bag itself is light. Great overall use if you can't hang a heavy bag 4 stars The following review received 3 helpful votes out of 3 total votes:Review Date: 2007-09-10"Kick A** Bag!"If you have a lot of power in your kicks or punches, this bag is for you. Tried the adjustable height one and believe it or not - with the help of a friend - ended up breaking the support column. This one takes a beating like you wouldn't believe!
It may cost a bit more, but definitely worth the extra pennies. Be creative and try it on its side to practice strikes in the mount position. (unscrew the bag part and use it separate from the base if you filled it with water. It shouldn't leak, but just a precaution.)
Speaking of which, it does fill with water, but sand seems to be a bit more solid. Just a side note. 5 stars |