When it comes to getting in a great cardio workout at home, many think about stationary bikes, rowers, treadmills, or a run outside. However, throwing punches, kicks, elbows, and knees at a punching bag has plenty of benefits, even if you’re not involved in professional combat sports. Choosing a punching bag may seem simple, but the wide range of shapes, styles, and weights available can make finding the perfect bag feel confusing. If you’re feeling confused, we’re here to help.
A 2023 study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine found that non-contact boxing was a powerful tool to improve mental health. The authors said, “Non-contact boxing exercises, usually in a high-intensity interval training group setting, provided a significant reduction in symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.”
One study compared the effects of high-intensity boxing to the effects of moderate-intensity, brisk walking in adults. Since most traditional lifting exercises don’t include multiple planes of motion, especially on your feet, boxing can train your body to move better in all directions. Tommy said, “Not only is boxing a great cardiovascular exercise, it also incorporates all planes of motion into the exercise which is extremely important for our day-to-day movement. Boxing is something that can be performed at any age, even into your elderly years."
Our team spent time testing a variety of punching bags, using our equipment testing methodology to assign a final score to each bag. Here’s what we found:
Top Punching Bag Options
Everlast 1910 100lbs Brown Heavy Bag
The Everlast 1910 100lbs Brown Heavy Bag is an old-school, durable punching bag made of genuine full-grain leather. Everlast is one of the biggest names in boxing, and for good reason-they offer durable, high-quality boxing gear at a variety of price points. The bag features an old-school style and is made of genuine, full-grain, vintage-style leather.
Read also: Choosing the Right Everlast Bag
Anthony said, “This was certainly the best out of the bunch from the ones I tested because it felt durable and was stable. “Even when I launched some harder/faster punches, it withstood everything without much movement,” said Anthony. “This might be due to the fact that the bag is pre-filled, so it had a better interior than the other bags we tested.
At $399, this is the most expensive bag on our list but also the nicest one we tested.
Hayabusa Heavy Bag
If you’re just getting into boxing and aren’t quite ready to spend nearly $400 on a heavy bag, the Hayabusa Heavy Bag is a fantastic budget-friendly option. While it doesn’t have genuine leather (most affordable bags don’t), the synthetic leather feels very nice. Durability is hard to assess after only one session, but I don’t have any concerns about giving this bag a 5 out of 5 for durability.
One issue is the fact that the bag swayed quite a bit and one of the mounting straps kept coming unhooked from the stand. The swivel felt durable, but it didn’t stay attached to the stand very long. It’s worth noting that we simply placed the hooks on the stand, but it was a stand specifically designed for boxing. This is probably an easy fix if you’re using this in your home gym, but since we were testing multiple bags, we didn’t want to use a locking chain.
That’s my only issue, though, and for the price, I think this bag is a steal, especially if it’s your first punching bag.
Read also: Punching Bag and Gloves Guide
Fairtex Banana Bag
The Fairtex Banana Bag is a durable, versatile bag that’s affordable. Handmade in Thailand, the Banana Bag features a slim yet durable design, making it quite versatile for a variety of striking styles. It can be filled to a maximum weight of 89 pounds, which may be too light for some, but you can purchase the bag unfilled to save money.
MaxxMMA Speed Bag Platform
Резиновая крошка или Ветошь в БОКСЁРСКОМ МЕШКЕ Что лучше
The MaxxMMA Speed Bag Platform provides almost everything you need to start incorporating a speed bag into your workout. The product includes the platform and speed bag. However, only some customers received the hardware required to mount the platform to their wall. The customer reviews found the platform to be very solid and the speed bag to be poor quality.
Most reviewers shared that their speed bag bladder either never held air or stopped holding air within the first year of use. For those who’ve never used a speed bag, the bag is designed specifically for fast, quick punches.
Even though it’s small, it still earns a 5 out of 5 for durability. Our tester, Caine Wilkes, OLY, USAW-L1, is an Olympic weightlifter who’s competed for Team USA. Caine said, “I mean, this speed bag is made to wobble around, since it’s hanging. BUT it’s held at one point, and I never thought it was coming loose while punching it.
It’s worth noting that you’ll need to mount this to a wall with studs for durability, so you don’t have quite as much freedom when choosing your location.
Read also: Heavy Bag Workout
FITVEN Freestanding Punching Bag
One of the biggest drawbacks of using a punching bag at home is the mounting and installation. However, for those with limited space who don’t want to permanently hang a heavy punching bag from their ceiling, a freestanding heavy bag is the best option. FITVEN Freestanding Punching Bag also comes with 12 oz boxing gloves. The base and bag ship separately and may arrive at different times which frustrated customers. According to reviews it was easy to set up.
However, customers noted the suction cups were not helpful and recommended filling with sand because it was not very stable when filled with water. FITVEN does recommend filling with sand.
“This is a heavy punching bag, but the experience changed based on the surface it was on,” Anthony explained. “On rubber gym flooring, it was stable but moved a little bit on heavier punches. On concrete, this thing stayed STUCK and was a 5/5. However, Anthony had one call out, noting that the water-filled base was leaking on the floor when he started punching harder.
Outslayer Filled Punching Bag
The Outslayer Filled Punching Bag is a durable, versatile bag that can be used for a variety of purposes. Emily Thomas, GGR’s SEO associate, has owned this bag for over six months and regularly uses it.
“This bag has gone above and beyond in terms of durability,” said Emily. “It has taken consistent hits and boxing workouts for over six months with no settling or warping of the bag’s shape. Emily also loves the versatility and stability of this bag, saying, “It really depends on your preference, but I personally like a solid bag without too much movement, and the Outslayer is just that.
Choosing the Right Punching Bag: Considerations
There truly is no one-size-fits-all recommendation, as everyone’s needs, preferences, and budget will vary. How you plan to use the bag matters, as does your current experience level with punching bags. A speed bag that only trains your hands may not be appropriate for someone to practice punches, kicks, and varying heights. Most bags should work well for general fitness training.
As with most pieces of equipment, punching bags can be expensive across brands and styles. However, don’t just look at the cost of the bag; think of what else you may need. Many punching bags need to be mounted, so you may need a bag stand or hanger if you can’t install it on the ceiling. You’ll also need plenty of space around the bag.
Some bags ship pre-filled and have a fixed weight. For example, we filled an empty bag with foam padding material instead of the recommended sand. This resulted in a cushioned feel, and the bag was significantly lighter as it wasn’t packed with sand. Leather is the most durable but also the most expensive.
Yes. A 100-pound punching bag will be heavy and durable, with little movement when installed correctly.
References
- Bozdarov, J., Jones, B. D. M., Daskalakis, Z. J., & Husain, M. I. (2022). Boxing as an Intervention in Mental Health: A Scoping Review. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 17(4), 589-600.
- S., Davies, T. B., Stewart, M., Papalia, S., & Atlantis, E. (2015). The feasibility and effectiveness of high-intensity boxing training versus moderate-intensity brisk walking in adults with abdominal obesity: a pilot study. BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation, 7, 3.