Punching Bag Buying Guide
There are a variety of punching bags to choose from. Find the right one for your next workout by learning more about each type:
Heavy Bags
Heavy bags are often considered the standard punching bag. These are cylindrical bags that hang from the ceiling and can weigh anywhere between 70 pounds and 150 pounds.
Heavy Bag Uses: Heavy bags are great for strength training, and are most useful for kicking and punching.
Pro Tip: Heavy bags need to be the proper size to provide enough resistance for training. To find the right size heavy bag, take your body weight and divide by two. For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, your heavy bag should weigh around 90 pounds. Round up to the nearest available bag weight if you are in between sizes.
Teardrop Bags
Teardrop bags hang from the ceiling like heavy bags but have less of a cylindrical shape. The teardrop shape is closer to the shape of a human to add increased motion and variability for your workout.
Teardrop Bag Uses: The teardrop bag shape is good for strength training, but also allows you to practice elbowing, kneeing and uppercutting.
Free Standing Bags
Free standing bags stand on a sturdy base, usually filled with either water or sand. This type of punching bag does not require any mounting to the wall or ceiling, making them easy to move.
Free Standing Bags Uses: Standing bags provide great resistance training for toning muscle. Keep in mind, because of their height, standing bags are easier to kick than standard heavy bags but more difficult to uppercut.
Body Bags
Body bags stand on the ground and are shaped like a person, sometimes including a torso and arms.
Body Bag Uses: Body bags are a useful training tool for anyone interested in MMA or grappling.
Speed Bags
Speed bags are fast-moving punching bags, designed to ricochet off their stand and come back. This type of punching bag is small and air filled. While they offer less resistance than other types of punching bags, speed bags provide great aerobic exercise.
Speed Bag Uses: Speed bags provide a fast-moving workout that increases timing, rhythm and hand-eye coordination.
Double End Bags
Double end bags are attached to both the floor and the ceiling, allowing for a freer range of motion.
Double End Bag Uses: This type of punching bag allows you to move around your target and train your reflexes by striking back when hit.