The Ringside Cobra Reflex bag is a free-standing punching bag that mimics real action inside a ring.
Unlike other punching bags, when you punch the cobra reflex bag, it springs back at you forcing you to dodge and play defense.
I’m not a boxer, I simply use the cobra reflex bag to help me improve hand-eye coordination, speed, and conditioning in my garage gym.
In this review I’ll be showing you all the details about the Ringside Cobra Reflex Bag , its benefits, and comparing it to other reflex bags.
What is a Reflex Bag?
A boxing reflex bag is a free standing bag used to practice as if you had an opponent in front of you.
It’s made up of a punching bag, a pole mounted on a flexible spring, and a heavy base.
When you punch it, the spring rebounds and punches back so you have dodge it, hence the name reflex.
It’s a great way to improve hand-eye coordination, work on reflexes, speed, and conditioning.
But not all reflex bags are created equal…
There are regular reflex bags with the spring located at the bottom of the pole and then there are cobra reflex bags with the spring located in the middle of the pole.
The bags with the spring in the middle of the pole are called Cobra reflex bags.
What is a Cobra Bag?
A cobra bag is a type of reflex bag but it has the spring located in the middle of the pole.
The location of the spring makes a HUGE difference because this determines the speed of the rebound effect.
Cobra vs Reflex Bag
The big difference between the Cobra and the Reflex bag is the location of the spring.
Because the location of the spring in a reflex bag is at the bottom of the pole, the bag has a longer distance to travel so it takes longer to come back to you.
With a Cobra bag’s spring being in the middle of the pole, there is less distance to travel and it comes back to you much faster.
In other words, the Cobra will force you to react fast just like in a real life ring situation.
What is the Best Reflex Bag?
There are several companies out there that make reflex bags and I’ll go over some of the best ones below.
Everlast Reflex Bag
The Everlast reflex bag is good option for beginners because its slow rebound speed.
Everlast has been around boxing for a long time and their products have a good reputation but this one is as basic as they come.
Because the spring is at the bottom, it is a slower reflex bag, and it is priced cheaper than a Cobra bag.
Check out the Everlast reflex bag on Amazon.
Title Lighting Strike Pro Reflex Bag
The Title Reflex Bag is a Cobra bag made with industrial grade steel so it’s construction is solid.
You can adjust its height from 4 feet to 6 feet using a knob so it’s good for different heights.
Once thing I don’t like about the Title reflex bag is that the base requires you to add weights or you have to physically screw it down.
Some people use sandbags, dumbbells, or weight plates to hold the base down while punching it, but it can still rattle and get noisy.
I’d rather have a base where I can add sand or water like other reflex bags have.
Check out the Title Lightning Strike Pro here.
MaxxMMA Advanced Cobra Reflex Bag
The MaxMMA cobra reflex bag is a popular reflex bag because it allows you to adjust the tension settings on the spring mechanism.
The pole height adjusts from 52″ to 65″.
The Advanced model includes two different sized bags and different tension settings.
The more tension you select, the faster the bag will rebound back after you punch it.
The plastic base tank can be filled with up to 30 pounds of water or 55 pounds of sand.
To make it more sturdy, they do sell a weight bag for it or you can just use weight plates.
This comes in a kit that includes two reflex bags and punching gloves.
Check out the MaxMMA Cobra bag here.
Ringside Cobra Reflex Bag
One of our most popular reflex punching bags, the Cobra Reflex Bag, was redesigned with a very sturdy steel frame.
It’s free-standing so it can be placed where ever you need it, whether it’s in a gym or home workout area.
The industrial grade spring gives you a super fast return of the bag so you can build speed, hand-eye coordination, and conditioning.
The punching bag is foam filled so it doesn’t require inflation and is ready to use right out of the box.
The Ringside Cobra Reflex bag has a solid steel body that can withstand heavy use and is adjustable from 5′ to 7′ tall.
I really like that it comes with a base that can be filled with sand or water up to 140 lbs.
Compared to the other reflex bags, this base makes it very sturdy so the only thing moving is the punching bag.
Check out the Ringside Cobra Reflex bag here.
What About a Double End Bag?
The double end bag is a small, circular bag connected on both ends of the floor and ceiling by an elastic cord.
Like the reflex bag, it bounces back and helps you improve rhythm, timing, speed, defense, and accuracy.
They vary in size and shape, with rebound elasticity able to be adjusted.
Double End Bag vs Reflex Bag
When it comes to the double end bag and the reflex bag, they both train you for similar skills.
They’re not meant to be punched with a ton of power like a heavy bag.
But they do have some differences in the material of the bag, portability, and price.
Portability
The double end bag is kept in a permanent spot because you secure it to the ceiling and the floor.
Some people use dumbbells for the bottom anchor but for the top you’ll need to anchor it to the ceiling.
The reflex bag on the other hand can be moved around making it easier for home gyms that have little space.
Move it to the center of the room when you want to use it, then shove it in a corner when you’re done.
Cost
A double end bag will be much cheaper than a reflex bag.
But you have to take into account that you’ll be doing more work to set it up.
With a double end bag you’ll need to buy the cords and anchors to secure it in place both on the floor and ceiling.
With a reflex bag, there’s minimal set up besides inserting the pole into the base and filling it up with water or sand.
Cobra Reflex Bag Workout Drills
In the video above, you can see several reflex bag workout drills.
You can do so many different combos and anything you’re comfortable with.
Your workouts are never the same so this makes this bag a lot of fun.
Ringside Cobra Reflex Bag Worth It?
Overall, the cobra reflex bag is a great tool for anyone serious about boxing or anyone looking for a fun workout.
Is it pricey? Yes, but it’s a quality bag that will last a while and help you improve in so many levels.
You can work on jabs, hooks, defense, timing, speed, footwork, and conditioning.
You’ll quickly see how you can work different angles with a reflex bag because of its unpredictable rebound effect.
It truly does feel like you’re in a real life boxing match where someone is punching back.
Click here to check out the Ringside Cobra Reflex bag.
Ringside Cobra Reflex Bag
Garage gym athlete, gym hacks, DIY gym projects, and garage gym equipment reviews