Boxing and kickboxing workouts are #1 on Pete McCall’s “8 Fitness Trends for 2018” list, shared recently by ACE. Ample evidence supports McCall’s prediction, and explains why the trend will continue for a long time. Boxing and kickboxing workouts provide inherent benefits that fulfill deeper human needs, which other forms of exercise simply do not. The resurgence of demand for these classes is sweeping into 2018, driven by a rising wave of factors, and doesn’t show signs of slowing.

The type of bag you need depends on what kind of fitness program you intend on offering. Some will work for multiple programs; others are best when used with one specific program.

Back in 2016, POPSUGAR Fitness ranked cardio boxing as one of the top fitness trends to watch for in 2017. Their instincts were spot-on: just recently, NBC gave boxing not just a high spot, but the number one spot, on its list of popular workouts. 

If you own a gym or fitness studio, you already know the importance of custom gear, both in your pro shop and in your workout areas. Now that you’ve decided to start offering a cardio boxing or kickboxing class, you’ve probably considered putting your logo on that class’s training bags, too.

This is a great idea – but there’s a big mistake you can make when it comes to custom bags that can hurt your class in the long run.

40 Years of Innovation

Since Century introduced the original BOB® Body Opponent Bag back in in 1998, and, later, the BOB XL®, we’ve gotten several requests for a BOB® with arms.  We decided to test out the old saying “the customer is always right” and gave our Research and Development team the task of creating a product that would give BOB® arms. They came up with this jacket, which fits on all BOB® and BOB LX® training dummies.

So, besides giving your BOB® a hip new look, what benefits does the Jacket provide?

Today, martial artists and fight-fitness athletes have more choices than ever when it comes to getting the perfect bag for their desired workouts. Freestanding bags are a popular choice for individuals and for gyms. They require no hardware, can be easily moved for storage or space-clearing, and don’t damage walls or ceilings when installed.  

Century introduced the world’s first freestanding training bag, the Wavemaster®, in 1995. This game-changing product revolutionized how people practiced martial arts. Since then, we’ve invented many other great freestanding bags, like the Wavemaster® 2XL Pro, BOB® the Body Opponent Bag, and, with the greatest variety of bags, the Versys™ collection.

The rising popularity of mixed martial arts and other fitness programs incorporating training equipment has increased the demand for a wide variety of bags. It can be difficult for anyone contemplating a change in workout regimens to tell which type of training bag will be right for their needs.

There are five key factors to consider before you make your ultimate purchasing decision of a training bag. These are the weight, filling, bag cover, use for and desired mobility of the bag. Read on for our quick guide to understanding these five factors.

Working out with a training bag used to be reserved for boxers, MMA fighters, Muay Thai fighters, and other martial arts practitioners. These days, more people are incorporating this excellent piece of workout equipment into their general fitness and sport training programs.

The training bag is a great tool to help develop strength and sculpt the body. It adds aerobic and anaerobic exercise to any workout regimen.  Try these MMA workouts with a training bag for an exercise routine that packs a punch.

Note: As with all exercise equipment, it’s important to know the right way to use a training bag before you start training. Always observe proper safety procedures. Know how to correctly throw strikes and punches before beginning to work out with a training bag.