Quick Answer
Mike Tyson typically used an Everlast heavy bag for training throughout his boxing career. His preferred bag was the Everlast Omniflex Heavy Bag which provided the durability and resistance he needed to develop his devastating punching power.
What Type of Heavy Bag did Mike Tyson Use?
For most of his career, Mike Tyson used an Everlast Omniflex Heavy Bag for his training. Everlast is one of the premier boxing equipment brands known for making durable and high-quality gear. The Everlast Omniflex bag was state-of-the-art when Tyson was in his prime in the 1980s and 90s.
Some key features of the Everlast Omniflex Heavy Bag:
- Filled with a blend of natural and synthetic fibers to absorb impact
- Omniflex shell is durable synthetic leather
- Reinforced with strapping for extra stability
- Weighs approximately 70 lbs
- Designed specifically for heavy bag boxing training
This type of heavy bag was ideal for Tyson as it allowed him to unleash his powerful combinations. The Omniflex filling absorbed his crushing blows, preventing excessive swing and allowing for more rapid-fire punching.
Why Did Tyson Choose the Everlast Omniflex Bag?
There are a few key reasons why this specific Everlast heavy bag was likely Tyson’s bag of choice:
Durability
Tyson was renowned for his incredible punching power. He routinely shattered punching bags in training from the sheer brute force of his strikes.
The Everlast Omniflex was one of the most durable bags available at the time. The synthetic leather shell was rugged enough to withstand Tyson’s onslaught while the interior filling was engineered to handle heavy impacts. This allowed the bag to stand up to Tyson’s training needs.
Resistance
In addition to being durable, the Omniflex bag provides a lot of natural resistance. The specialized interior filling settles after strikes to give a solid, resilient rebound when punched.
This was important for Tyson as it enabled him to strengthen his shoulder and core muscles with every punch. The resistance worked his entire body, not just his arms. This helped condition him to transfer maximum power through his twisting torso into every devastating hook and uppercut.
Punching Speed
Unlike traditional sand or sawdust filled bags, the Omniflex does not overly compress or ‘pancake’ when struck forcefully. This allows for faster rebound off the bag after punching.
For a swarming fighter like Tyson, this let him unleash punches in rapid fire succession while training. The quick rebound improved his hand speed, timing, and combinations. He could throw 6-8 punches in the time a regular heavy bag would still be swinging and resetting.
Premium Brand Reputation
Everlast is arguably the most reputable brand name in boxing equipment. They had been making heavy bags since 1910 and were the equipment supplier for many world champion fighters over the decades.
For a top fighter like Tyson, training with the same Everlast bags used by other legends like Ali and Marciano likely appealed to his competitive nature. Just as he sought to be the best fighter in the world, training with the #1 equipment brand helped feed that mentality.
How Big Was Tyson’s Everlast Heavy Bag?
Mike Tyson used a standard sized heavy bag which was around 5 feet tall x 3 feet wide (Length x Diameter).
The exact dimensions of the Everlast Omniflex Heavy Bag are:
- Height – 60 inches
- Diameter – 18 inches
- Weight – Approximately 70 lbs when filled
This allows it to hang at the optimal height to align with head and body punches for a boxer of Tyson’s height.
Bags were normally hung by chains or straps attached to the structural beams in Tyson’s home gyms and training camps. Having a bag set at the proper height for his stance and punching technique was crucial.
What Size Gloves Did Tyson Use on the Heavy Bag?
Mike Tyson opted to use lighter 12-14 oz training gloves for heavy bag workouts rather than bulkier 16 oz sparring gloves. Smaller gloves allowed him to maintain speed, accuracy, and proper technique while unleashing his pounding combinations on the bag.
The faster, more nimble bag gloves improved his:
- Hand-eye coordination
- Timing
- Defense reactions
- Counterpunching speed
He would break up heavy bag training with days wearing larger sparring gloves to get variation in resistance training and build shoulder/arm endurance. But for true technique honing, smaller and more flexible was better.
Everlast and other brands like Title or Grant make excellent training gloves in the 12-14 oz range that provide a snug fit with decent wrist support and striking surface.
Tyson’s Heavy Bag Training Routine
Mike Tyson had an intense and rigorous training program designed by his long-time coach Cus D’Amato. Heavy bag work was a major component as Tyson hammered away on the Omniflex bags.
Here’s a look at a typical heavy bag routine during his prime:
Warm Up
Tyson would start with some light calisthenics and stretching for about 10 minutes to get the blood flowing. Then he’d do some timed skipping rope intervals to elevate the heart rate and get his footwork going.
Technique Drills
He’d do a few rounds of just technique work on the heavy bag focusing on:
- Proper stance/balance
- Foot pivoting
- Head movement
- Blocking/parrying
- Precision punching form
High Intensity Intervals
This involved 3-5 minute rounds attacking the heavy bag at maximum effort unleashing vicious barrages of hooks, uppercuts, and straight rights. In between rounds he’d rest and do push ups to failure.
Combos and Cool Down
Tyson would finish off with practicing specific punching combinations alternating lefts and rights. Then end the session with a light 5-10 minute cool down and stretch.
He followed this routine 5-7 days a week in training camp always ending with time on the heavy bag. It built his conditioning, punching power, and practiced putting combinations together against a live target.
Tyson’s Devastating Punching Power
Mike Tyson will go down in history as one of the hardest punchers ever to step in the ring. He achieved legendary one-punch knockout power that made him one of the most intimidating heavyweights ever.
Some key facts about Tyson’s punches:
- Reportedly measured over 1,300 psi on a punching pressure machine
- Knockout ratio was 75% (44 of 58 wins by KO)
- Could crack a heavy bag’s chain attachments
- Punching power compared to getting hit by a freight train
- Able to knock giants like Trevor Berbick out cold with single shots
Training relentlessly on the heavy bag was a major factor in helping Tyson generate his devastating, lights-out power. Throwing hundreds of punches per round against resistance conditioned his entire kinetic chain.
By mastering proper technique and repeating it through bag training, he learned to summon every ounce of power from the ground up through his legs, torso rotation, shoulder muscles, and fist.
Tyson on Heavy Bag Training
In his own words, Mike Tyson discussed heavy bag training:
“I’m a heavy bag addict. I’ll beat that bag until it shreds, until the bag is bleeding. I’m addicted to the heavy bag like a drug. I’m very hard on it because in a fight you have to beat your opponent until he wants to quit…you have to create damage.”
His relentless heavy bag work clearly paid off as you can see its effects in his untamed aggression and concrete punching power in the ring.
Conclusion
The Everlast Omniflex Heavy Bag helped condition Mike Tyson into a legendary knockout machine feared by the heavyweight division. Durable, resistant, and high performance, it allowed Tyson to hone his skills to perfection through endless heavy bag training. Unleashing his unrivaled power and combinations against the Omniflex turned Tyson into an unstoppable prizefighter in his prime.