I was the typical gym member for many years doing free weights, strength machines and running on the track. At my gym there was a heavy bag and I used to punch and kick it as a warm-up before tackling the weights. I didn’t know what I was doing as far as the mechanics of martial arts but at least I was doing something.
Now that I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, I continue to punch and kick the heavy bags at Spiece Fitness, my house and at Basches Martial arts to perfect my technique and strengthen my body. If you have a chance to use a heavy bag for fitness, please do. It will add another practical dimension to your work-outs which may come in handy some day if you have to defend yourself. I suggest you stretch your body and limber up before you go hard on the heavy bag so you don’t damage yourself.