Tired of doing the same old boxing drills? Want to mix it up and inject fun into your training? Learn how to hit the SparBar!
The SparBar is a punching bag and 360-degree arm swivel attached to a sturdy base, designed to simulate your opponent’s head and swinging arm.
Learning how to use this will give you reflexes like a pro!
Keep reading for our guide on how to hit the SparBar.
How To Hit The SparBar
To hit the SparBar:
- Punch The Padded Bar
- Block The Bar As It Swings
- Move Away Or Around The SparBar
- Hit The Punching Bag At The Top
Punch The Padded Bar
First, punch the padded bar.
Forget about the bag on top for now and just focus on the bar.
Start by throwing your jab on the bar and watch how it swings around to the other side.
You can target any part of the bar: its inner or outer part.
When it swings to the other side, jab it again. See if you can juggle the bar from side to side consistently.
Once you get comfortable with that, use your other punches: the cross and the hook. (The uppercut won’t work as the bar only swings left/right.)
Note that the bar will swing faster with the harder punches that you throw.
Block The Bar As It Swings
Next, block the bar as it swings towards your face on either side.
You can use either hand or forearm to block it.
This is why it’s important to throw balanced punches and keep your hands up.
If you overextend when you throw a strong hook, you won’t be ready to stop the bar before it hits your face.
The SparBar trains you to be ready for defense after every punch you throw.
Move Away Or Around The SparBar
Next, instead of blocking with your glove, move away or around the SparBar.
The 360-degree bar allows you to step around and use your footwork as you punch it.
Use any defensive move: the pull to let the bar swing past your face, the slip to duck under the bar, or the roll to take a step and change the angle.
Hit The Punching Bag At The Top
Lastly, once you get the hang of moving around the bar, hit the punching bag at the top.
As the bar swings away from you, you have a small amount of time to strike it.
This is another reason why it’s important that you throw balanced punches, so that you are always ready to strike.
Since the goal is to block and dodge the bar rather than practice power punches, it’s ok to just tap the bag.
If this is still tough for you, focus on the bar first and come back to the bag later.
Benefits of Using The SparBar
Some of the benefits of using the SparBar include:
- The SparBar Teaches You To Keep Your Hands Up
- The SparBar Teaches You To Manage Your Distance
- The SparBar Improves Your Reflexes And Flow
The SparBar Teaches You To Keep Your Hands Up
First, the SparBar is great for teaching you to keep your hands up.
After every punch, you should be bringing your gloves back to your face.
Drop your hands even just a couple of inches and the bar will still strike your temple.
The SparBar Teaches You To Manage Your Distance
Next, the SparBar teaches you to manage your distance.
When you pull, at first you think you are too close and will get hit with the bar.
After a while, you’ll find the sweet spot where you can dodge the bar but also stay in range just enough to hit the bag on top.
Next time you spar, try getting closer to your opponent and find that sweet spot where you can dodge and attack from the same distance.
The SparBar Improves Your Reflexes And Flow
Lastly, you should learn to use the SparBar to improve your reflexes and flow.
You don’t have time to stop and think when facing the SparBar.
If you stop and think for even a second, the bar and your opponent will be aiming at your jaw. The only thing you can do is keep moving.
Conclusion
The SparBar is a great alternative to the punching bag.
One fun way to use the SparBar is to build up combinations. Start with a jab. Next a jab-slip. Then a jab-slip-pivot. Next a jab-slip-pivot-block. See how far you can take it!
Only using the SparBar can encourage bad habits too, so make sure to balance it out with other drills.
For example, punching the bar on one side will make you block on the opposite side, but never on the same side.
Also, there is no straight punch like a jab or cross to defend against.
Combine this training with other equipment that can hit you back, like the double-end bag or the reflex bag.
If you’re having trouble deciding what boxing equipment to get, check out these articles: