FitnessQuest Slamman > Reviews > Slam Man Professional Boxing Toy

Author's product rating:   

Durability	Excellent
Value for money	Excellent

Advantages:	Computer data, movable (just) is a great talking point
Disadvantages:	Long time to set up, computer can be a bit slow

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Having owned several punch bags in my time and having a few hundred quid burning in my pocket for a bit of a boys toy!, One of my work colleauges told me he had just purchased this slam man!... This lead me on to seeing why this toy cost him £284...

On first impression the slam man looks hysterical, only when you say "Hang on, thats for real", do you take its function seriously... I wee'd myself when I saw what my work mate had brought (he was a big overweight at the time) you had to be there I guess...

The slam man comes in 2 parts, the torso and the base, the torso then attaches to the base, once you fill the base with sand, once you plug the computer in its ready to use. There are 2 entry points into which you can pour sand into the base.

The slam man is a life size model resembling a torso, featuring a computerised system with integrated lights within the body. The computer is situated at the bottom of the torso (groin area) so you can see your statistics.

The torso is adjusted to the height you want ranging from around 5 ft 6", - 6ft 6" by lowering a catch at the back of the slam man.

What are these LEDs/Lights?
There are lights Integrated, or shall i say moulded into the slam man, 2 lights represent the eyes, 1 light for the nose, 1 light for the mouth, and a series on the chest of the torso... These give the impression the torso has a face and body, these are approximately match box sized and recessed into the mould...

Whats the computer for?
The computer has several setting allowing you to train to a certain pattern. If the light lights up on the slam man, your objective is to punch the light until it goes out, depending on the strength setting which you can adjust by a little wheel at the bottom of the torso, depends on how hard you have to hit the light for it to go out. (this can take some effort - ha ha ha) This computer itself takes 2 pencil batteries. (AA - I think) and it features an auto shut off so it doesnt drain the batteries when your on the floor passed out! :P

The computer will randomly light up lights on the slam man, you have to follow the computer, data is then recorded and statistics are given following the programme you selected. telling you how many punches you have thrown, how long you have been punching etc.

What are these programmes?
The slam man has 3 modes, and 5 levels for each mode, the levels indicate what speed the lights are animated, the higher the level, the faster the lights appear, (remember its your job to follow them by punching them!!! - This is somewhat exhausting :P even after 10 secs!!!)

The modes are the programmes in which you can train differently, you can set it to allow you to punch harder to knock the light out before getting your next light to punch out, or you can set it to randomly display lights for a quick burn out session, (meaning, leaving you in a heap on the floor dying!)

All these programmes are timed, so you can work out for a specific time, or to calculate how long it takes you to realise your unfit... no joking 10 secs was my limit! :P (at first)

What do I like about it?
Well its a true boys toy. There's no real need for it, a punch bag is just as good, yes the computer makes it all fancy and more fun, but when all said and done i just want to hit something, im not bothered about how long for!...

Mine sat in the living room for a while in the corner, I grew quite attached to it, I even put a dress on it and it became a member of our household... oh by the way, the lights are LEDs, and yes, they do light up... turn the living room lights out at night and turn the slam man on and you have one very scary monster looking at you, especially if its wearing a dress ;)

The slam man itself is quite big and would need no less than 10 ft sq to use fully... It can with stand ANY punch without falling over, but it does rock, so this is why the space is needed and depending on your flooring can move about abit when punched vigourously.

Its made of tough black plastic and a softer plastic in key panels to the torso where the LED's are embedded, you can punch this all you like, you aint gonna break it!... I tried!... no chance...

What dont I like about the slam man...
It took 5 bags of sand to fill the slam man, well over 4 hours to fill it... so be warned, the holes to pour the sand into are small and i ended up using a funnel and cup, my work mate had to do it like this too, it took him the same time also...

If you are filling with sand make sure its 100% dry, or it will clog up and you will feel like you are putting a grain of sand in at a time :( dry sand will take minutes not hours to fill.

Once filled with dry sand, pour some water into it, as much as you can... This will make it even more heavier and sturdier.

The slam man is a professional product my gym has one of these and charges £3 per 5 minutes to use... Trust me 5 minutes is long enough... :P

It can take a punch as mentioned above and as long as you have the room, a garage is ideal, then this will always outlast yourself... I did try kicking it, (properly) and you can kick box with it, if you can kick someone's head or chest that is... if you cant, doenst matter just use your fists, if you can dont tell me, i'll only feel less superior :P

Overall a bloody good bit of kit for the professionals and consumers... Great talking point, and very handy with its computer programmes too. Never had a problem with it, im still using the batteries it came with...

Come with training golves (one size fits all)

This is a heavy item so expect a postage charge if ordering... I paid an extra £20 for saturday delivery.

How much is it?
Well ive owned my slam man now for over 2 years and i paid £284 for it from www.boysstuff.co.uk ;) -

They are currently on ebay for £240 (Buy it now) or if you want to wait for a bargain, ive seen them go for under £100!!!...

This item is heavy so if you do buy second hand make sure you have at least 3 strong friends with you when collecting, or else forget it... it weighs nearly 300lb when filled.

An estate car is also advantageous, i dont think a fiesta ect will do the transport job, unless it sits out of the sunroof!, now that has got to be seen!... (dont forget the dress though!)