Heavy Bag Workouts Aerobic or Strength Workouts?

I use to be a big guy, as in fat. I was close to about 400 pounds and I started counting calories and lost weight, not fat, and now weigh 180lbs. I have recently did a lot of research into weight training and I have a good idea on how to properly build muscle and loose fat in the process. So in my workout routine I lift weights 3 days a week and do some kind aerobic activity on the other days with Sunday being a completely free day with no work outs.

However so far my aerobic activities consist of walking and riding a bike, but I have always been a fan of MMA and even have thought about getting into MMA so I was looking at buying a Punching/Heavy bag for some aerobic activities.

So my question comes down to this. When using a punching bag, is it a aerobic workout, or is it a strength workout? I want to let my muscles rest between workouts and so I feel that punching on a bag might hinder my progress,  however I have heard that if you just strafe around the bag and do light jabs instead of heavy hitting you can use a bag for aerobics, is this true?

It's primarily aerobic workout, but don't be fooled your muscles will get extremely exausted if you push yourself hard on the bag. Working hard on a bag, from my experience, is much more tiring for your muscles than any weight routine.

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_Virtuoso_


Working hard on a bag, from my experience, is much more tiring for your muscles than any weight routine.

What he said. A heavy bag will wear your shoulders out.

Thanks for the replies. I will just wait it out then till I have some muscle before I worry about a heavy bag.

Also another question. I heard that it is a good idea if trying to trim body fat and replace it with muscle to work out after you wake up then wait a hour before you eat so that way your body pulls what it needs to rebuild muscle from your stored fat. However most online sites I look at do not mention this at all. In fact some say to eat before or right after working out so your muscle has the protein it needs right then to rebuild.

When I first started I would do 30 minutes of Cardio every morning when I woke up(except weekends) before breakfast, then lift at nights and it worked fine some people like it some people don't. I normally have a whey protien shake right after lifting and then eat like an hour later.

_Virtuoso_


It's primarily aerobic workout, but don't be fooled your muscles will get extremely exausted if you push yourself hard on the bag. Working hard on a bag, from my experience, is much more tiring for your muscles than any weight routine.

Yep. It's aerobic, but kinda like swimming- It'll work your muscles too.

Aerobic means "with oxygen" so it uses a different energy system.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant