| Vital to every martial art is training your strikes and | | | | Mounting your WallBag |
| using the Wing Chun punching bag is no different. | | | | Many a keen student has gone out and bought a wall |
| There are lots of different types of bag and pad that | | | | bag in an attempt to add Wing Chun punching bag |
| you can use to train your Wing Chun punch - and to | | | | training to their routine. Without any thought for where |
| say that one is better than the other misses the point. | | | | they'll house it. |
| Together, heavy bags, wall bags, focus pads etc are | | | | Obviously the wall bag is mounted on a wall, which is |
| all keys to the puzzle that is... hitting hard and fast with | | | | great for saving space however the noise from |
| your Wing Chun punch. | | | | impact will resonate throughout your home and |
| This article will focus on some of the excellent training | | | | potentially your neighbors home as well. Especially if |
| tips and secrets behind the wall bag (or sand bag) - | | | | you have a flat or apartment. |
| arguably the most popular and traditional Wing Chun | | | | You've been warned. |
| training bag. | | | | Another option can include mounting it to a tree and |
| Filling your wall bag | | | | I've known some crazy folk to nail your punch bag to |
| Depending on your instructor, lineage and experience | | | | trees. Not good for the tree. Some elasticated bungy |
| you'll hear a variety of fillings. On the harder end of the | | | | cords are perfect however make sure to keep your |
| spectrum are those that recommend starting with | | | | wall bag dry to keep it and its fillings in good condition. |
| someone softer (eg. Rice, mung beans, lentils), working | | | | If your wall bag is filled with sand, then moisture and |
| your way up to sand and then finishing with iron ball | | | | rain will build up within the bag making the contents |
| bearings. | | | | cement like. Not great for your hands! |
| Forget about it. | | | | Wall Bag Sections |
| Crippling your hand defeats the object of training in | | | | This type of Wing Chun punching bag comes in |
| martial arts because they are also about being healthy. | | | | sections - typically one, two or three. Personal |
| Personally a combination of dried beans and old | | | | preference is always for a three sectioned wall bag |
| clothing is right for me. A harder alternative my | | | | so you can replicate high, middle and lower gate |
| instructor once used was sand (the finer the more | | | | striking. Not only does it add skill to mixing up the |
| densely your wall bag will pack and the harder it will | | | | heights, the variety makes training more interesting and |
| become) however even sand can be detrimental to | | | | valuable. |
| the health and circulation of your hands over time. | | | | Wing Chun Punching Bag: The Wallbag |
| Working on conditioning | | | | The Wing Chun wall bag is one of many great training |
| Whilst conditioning is merely a 'side benefit' and not the | | | | aids to add power and venom to your strikes. |
| main goal (ie. Hitting hard is the primary reason we're | | | | Versatile and fun, the bag adds serious power to your |
| training) there is a degree of conditioning that comes | | | | punches, adds isometric strength to your strikes and is |
| with all Wing Chun bag training. Keep an eye on your | | | | a great way to isolate your arm strikes. |
| hands to watch out for cuts and grazes that will take | | | | Mixing up heights and different hand shapes (punches, |
| forever to heal if you don't care for them. | | | | palms, chops etc) keeps the training healthy and |
| Mix your punching up with palms and chops to the wall | | | | rewarding. And remember to take care of your hands, |
| bag which helps lengthen arduous training sessions on | | | | they are the tools of your trade and without their long |
| the the wall bag, puts less stress on your knuckles and | | | | term health - your Wing Chun punch will suffer and |
| rounds you as a Wing Chun practitioner. | | | | your training slow. |