There is no such thing as guilt-free consumption, even our most mundane daily choices (think waste disposal) have an impact on the world, our environment, and persons around us. Many of us strive to improve as persons, products, or organizations but it is often very easy to dismiss our own impact in contributing to sustainable consumption. No matter how little we each contribute, when aggregated to society level our individual actions produce results. The 21-year-old third millennium will be the age when humanity transitions from carefree consumption to a smarter, more environment friendly way of approaching everyday life. As a global society we are still far away from leading a totally sustainable life but hey, the first flight of the Wright brothers only lasted 12 seconds and 36 meters and 120 years later we can take showers over the Atlantic (yeah, I know…not exactly a sustainability example but it shows the progress mankind can make when we put our minds to it).

At ninjoo we try to embrace sustainability any way we can and we know that we are far from perfect but Rome was not built in a day, and in the end long-term developments are all about the right mindset, and that ninjoo has. When we look for products we always look at the story behind them, their creators and the passion these individuals put into realizing them, and one passion that always catches our eye is sustainability. Especially when it comes to the luxury segment we believe products have a responsibility to leave as small a footprint as possible on earth since by definition they are…well luxury. 

Sustainability can have different faces, sometimes not easily recognized as such. RS Barcelona, for example, sees durability of a product as the essence of sustainability and their commitment to the planet and society is to manufacture top-quality, hard-wearing items through environmentally friendly production processes that last a lifetime. Bredder, a small brand from Germany known for its high-quality handmade balance boards, uses only regional and certified suppliers, and embraces a holistic sustainability approach down to the corrugated cardboard packaging that ensures there is no plastic in the entire production journey. The Swedish paddle/tennis brand Nordicdots, in true Scandinavian spirit, makes a point of respecting the environment and its inhabitants and therefore incorporates sustainable eco-friendly innovations in everything they do. They go as far as recently endorsing tennis player Andrey Kuznetsov from Russia because he is an ardent advocate of sustainability and eco-friendly innovations. 

Ninjoo’s take on sustainability: one small step for each one of us, one giant leap for mankind (credit to the first man on the moon).

Build a glass or Perspex cage with two opposing open doors on either side, throw in a Tennis net in the middle, let two players (more commonly couple teams though) use rackets with solid hitting surfaces rather than strings combat each other, and mix up the rules so you can bounce the ball off the walls or even attempt to stay in the game by running through the doors to catch a ball that was knocked out of the ballpark…sounds crazy, right? Enter Padel!

Most easily explained as a mix between Squash and Tennis with a twist, Padel is developing an almost fanatic following in the Middle East and is a fast-paced, high-energy sport that challenges a player's skills and endurance to the maximum. Unlike Squash and Tennis, you can actually credit the invention of Padel to one single person in Mexico. In 1969 Enrique Corcuera decided to modify the Squash court at his home in Acapulco with elements of Tennis and when his Spanish friend Alfonso Hohenlohe-Langenburg tried it in Enrique's home he took the sport to Spain to create the first Padel court in Marbella in 1974…and the rest is history.

How does Padel work? The court is 25% smaller than a regular Tennis court, the net is 88cm high, rackets are without strings, to add speed balls are more pressurized than in Tennis, and the ball is allowed to bounce off the wall and can even be played from outside the court as long as it doesn't bounce twice on the field. All this creates incredible, sometimes crazy ball exchanges and is equally interesting to play and to watch.

Naturally, the sports industry has picked up on the trend and most tennis racket brands have their own offering of padel rackets and at ninjoo we could have picked any racket for you, but we wouldn't be…well ninjoo, if we didn't have our own opinion on the subject. For us, the element of style and design is a must-have complementary element to playability and technical specification. We wanted rackets that are equally professional equipment and distinguished design to help our customers stand out from the crowd, and the usual padels in the market just didn't make this cut. Random design patterns with oversized brand logos on the playing surface maybe great for a brand's visibility on court but they are not a showcase for individual style; and that is how Nordicdots caught our eye. True to the Scandinavian design principles of minimalism and functionality Nordicdots designs are mainly based on color and texture with complete absence of bold random patterns, and discreet branding that is visible on close up encounters but does not turn you into a flag-bearer for the brand. Also, and in true Scandinavian spirit, Nordicdots makes a point of respecting the environment and its inhabitants and therefore incorporates sustainable eco-friendly innovations in everything they do.

Nordicdots is a young brand, driven by the passion of its creators, and many of you will know by now that ninjoo has a weakness for passionate creators as these are the true pioneers that go where no man and woman has gone before (credit to the all-time classic captain Kirk).

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A punching bag is a dynamic piece of exercise equipment that can be useful for professional fighters and fitness seekers alike. The beauty of a boxing bag is that you don’t need to be in a gym to get good use out of it. You can hang it inside your home, garage, back porch, or anywhere you can find the space. But after you buy a punching bag, your next step is to properly learn how to hang the bag. It will help to avoid unnecessary incidents, and that is what we will be talking about in this post.

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Heavy punching bags are the most important training equipment for boxing, kickboxing, MMA, and even martial arts. They hold a significant place in cross-training and boxing fitness. 

What to Use for Filling your MVP Heavy Bag?  

Before you get to work, you need to decide the kind of filling for your bag. It could be rubber mulch, sawdust, or rags...or a combination of a few of these. There are some other options too. Whatever you choose, do keep in mind the use and ultimately the safety of your hands. Here are the most common fillings for heavy bags.

 

1 - Sawdust
2 - Rice
3 - Rubber Mulch or Shredded rubber tyres 
4 - Rag/ Clothes filling
5 - Special textile fillings 

Sawdust offers consistent, medium to tough feel and resistance. Make sure to mix it up with some textile filling for better performance.

Where to source? Your local hardware store or Amazon.

Rice filling is the hardest and toughest of all. It can be quite uncomfortable and harsh on the knuckles and wrists. Moreover, if it gets in contact with water, it is a disaster. 

Rubber Mulch or Shredded Rubber Tyres are not easily accessible. Have to be very fine small pieces for a consistent, firm, and compressed filling. 

Where to source? Google search 'Rubber Mulch' in your local area for suppliers or Amazon

Rags / Clothes filling + Small Sandbags for added weight is ideal for heavy bags. Make sure the pieces are small enough to fill into the sides evenly. Make sure to remove any buttons, zippers or any hard materials form the clothes.

Where to source? If you don't have any unwanted old clothing or rags lying about, you can purchase in bulk from Amazon or perhaps a local Salvation Army or second hand clothing store. Regarding sand, If you are close to a beach that is easy...otherwise Amazon or local hardware stores will be your best bet. Remember to NOT add the sand loose...make sure to wrap in small tight packages using zip lock bags sealed tightly with tape.

Special Textile Fillings + Small Sandbags for added weight is arguably the best option. This is usually finely shredded cotton fabrics and fibers. Made especially for the purpose, this filling is the most functional of all. 

Where to source? Ask a local fabric store for any leftovers they may have. Often they will give away for free or for a small fee.

 

WHY IS THE FILLING SO CRUCIAL?

A filling could be too hard and harm the hands and wrists of the athlete. This can cause serious injuries. On the other hand, filling too soft can ruin the form and performance. Secondly, you need to figure out the right weight and amount of the filling according to the size of the bag. Next, the filling needs to be compressed properly. Loose filling with empty holes and air pockets can lead to serious injuries.

 

Recommended Weight When Filled;

• 3 Foot (90cm) @ 25 KG/55 lbs
• 4 Foot (122cm) @ 32 KG/70 lbs
• 5 Foot (150cm) @ 42 KG/92 lbs
• 6 Foot (180cm) @ 52 KG/115 lbs

 

 

HOW TO FILL A PUNCHING BAG?

Chose the Right Filling or Filling Combination: Special textile filling is the best choice for a heavy punching bag. It offers great resistance. At the same time, it is not too hard or harsh on the hands. This specially made filling is ideal for professionals as well as beginners. You can also use a combination of sand and fabric, or sawdust and fabric filling.

Layer it Up: Make sure to layer the filling evenly. Do not dump and press. Instead, start with even layers, carefully packing the sides. It will ensure a consistent, uniform density throughout the bag.

Compress and Compress: When you layer up the filling, carefully compress after six inches or so. This will remove any air spaces. Weigh the down bag for an even filling and smooth surface. It will help keep the shape of the bag. At the same time, it will keep the filling from sinking down with use over time.

Fill to the Top: Layer and compress. This is the only right way to fill a heavy punching bag. Pay attention to this and stop when you reach the top.

Tie it all up: Then, tie up the bag to keep the filling tightly packed in. Once you are done, just hang the bag up and you are good to go!

 

ADDITIONAL TIPS

The textile filling is the best choice for a heavy punching bag. However, if you want a heavier bag, want to stabilize it some more, or simply want to add more resistance, you can follow these simple tips.

Use a Rubble Sack for Sawdust and Sand; Never ever, add sand and sawdust directly into the bag. Use a rubble sack or two, depending on the size of your bag. Tightly seal the mouth of the rubble sack to avoid the filling from mixing in and leaking into the bag.

Use a Combination of Fillings to Add Resistance; It is best not to use sand and sawdust fillings on their own as they easily sink down to the bottom. You can use sand as a solid base under textile fillings to weigh down the bag. Textile fillings are a great base for sawdust for light to medium resistances bag. Do not use sand on its own, it will be too hard and have the potential to break your hands.

Use a Heavy Filling as Core to Stabilize the Bag; Stabilize the bag and add resistance by adding a core. Use a PVC plastic pipe. Fill it with sand and seal at both ends tightly. Place it upright in the center of the bag. Proceed with the layer and compress the method on the sides evenly. This core will provide additional resistance and rigidity to the bag. It will stabilize the bag and reduce the swing too.