If you’re planning on taking up boxing, MMA, Muay Thai, or any other combat sport, there are a few pieces of gear that you need to assist you in your training.
The first item that springs to mind is a pair of boxing gloves in order to pound on a heavy bag until your heart’s content.
Fighting gear is, however, priced high; but, it is completely worth the investment.
Contents
- 1 Our Heavy Bag Top Picks
- 1.1 Winner: Century Original Wavemaster Heavy Punching Bag
- 1.2 Runner-Up: Outslayer 100 Pound Heavy Bag
- 1.3 Everlast 70 Pound Canvas Heavy Bag
- 1.4 Outslayer 80 Pound Heavy Bag
- 1.5 Everlast 70lb Heavy Bag Kit
- 1.6 RDX Punching Bag UNFILLED
- 1.7 Fairtex Unfilled Heavy Bags – Multiple Variations
- 1.8 Everlast Power Core Bag
- 2 Boxing/punching Bag FAQ
- 3 Related Questions
- 4 Conclusion
Our Heavy Bag Top Picks
Other necessary equipment that you need includes hand wraps, a heavy punching bag, MMA shorts, jump rope, shin guards, mouth guard, and a groin guard.
There are other items that you can make use of in MMA and will definitely make it easier, however, these are the essentials needed to get started.
In the following guide, we’ll take a look at the best heavy bag on the market today and why you should be using it.
Winner: Century Original Wavemaster Heavy Punching Bag
The Century Original Wavemaster Freestanding Heavy Punching Bag is excellent for punching as this is its primary purpose.
It is considered a pioneer in the game of combat sports since you don’t need a space to hang this heavy bag for your workout. Century is the best in the business when it comes to free standing punching bags.
This heavy bag can stand up unassisted and can even withstand the toughest strikes that you can throw at it.
Cardio is the ultimate addition to a gentle fitness routine. When it comes to martial arts, boxing, or any other contact sports, you’re only as good as your cardio.
This heavy bag will help you keep up the pace because it can keep up with you.
Just because it is a punching bag doesn’t mean that it’s not great for kicking as well.
Not only does it improve your power, technique, and kicks, but it can take the abuse without toppling over.
This bag can take everything from round-kicks and sidekicks to front kicks. It offers a generous striking surface that ensures you can kick with ultimate confidence.
It’s also ideal for any size practitioner since it is height adjustable. The height adjustment is 47 to 68 inches. This makes it ideal for high, low, and mid-level kicking. As well as punches from people of all heights.
Pros
- Ideal for punching and kicking
- Enhances cardio
- Adjustable height
Cons
- Quite a big base
Product description
| Weight: | 23.4 lbs |
| Dimensions: | 48 x 24 x 24 inches |
| Type: | Freestanding |
| Materials: | Plastic |
| Mount: | No |
Runner-Up: Outslayer 100 Pound Heavy Bag
Outslayer is known for its high-quality heavy bags. This first Outslayer heavy bag that we’re reviewing is their 100-pound edition.
In fact, Outslayer is so confident of their product that it even comes with a 10-year warranty certificate. So, you should have zero doubt about the quality of this heavy bag.
This heavy bag is constructed with smooth vinyl on the surface, and inside it’s packed with compressed fabric that is added by hand.
The fact that you don’t have to find your own filling for this heavy bag is one weight off your mind. All you have to do is find somewhere to hang it.
Also, you won’t have to purchase extra chains as it comes fully equipped with four 6″ straps. As it’s a heavy bag it needs to be hung on something sturdy.
You can’t go wrong with this heavy bag, it’s made in the USA and the perfect bag for your boxing, kickboxing or Muay Thai training.
Pros
- 10-year warranty certificate
- Made in USA
- Attached straps for quick hanging
Cons
- Shipping costs could be high
Product description
| Weight: | 100 lbs |
| Dimensions: | 55-inch height, plus 6-inch straps |
| Type: | Hanging |
| Materials: | Vinyl |
| Mount: | Yes |
Everlast 70 Pound Canvas Heavy Bag
This striking red Everlast heavy bag weighs 70 pounds, making it an ideal heavy bag for your home training.
It has been built with canvas material meaning that it is soft on the outside when punching. But it is solidly reinforced with specially blended filler, so it can take your hardest punches.
Everlast have added a bottom attachment so that you can make it even more tightly resistant. This is great for people that don’t like there heavy bag swinging too much.
The top of the bag has four heavy-duty nylon straps and an adjustable height chain, making this bag perfect for people of all heights.
Everlast have manufactured this heavy bag in both red and black so you can pick your favorite color.
Pros
- Double-ended attachments
- Quality canvas material
- Adjustable height chain
Cons
- Black color version is more expensive
Product description
| Weight: | 70 lbs |
| Dimensions: | 53-inch height, 13.5″ diameter |
| Type: | Hanging |
| Materials: | Synthetic canvas |
| Mount: | Yes |
Outslayer 80 Pound Heavy Bag
Time for another Outslayer heavy bag, this time their 80-pound variation.
If for some reason you want your heavy bag less than 100 pounds then this is the perfect punching bag for you.
It has exactly the same makeup of the 100 pound version, good quality vinyl surface, with 4 nylon straps. Meaning you don’t have to worry about chains.
This 80-pound heavy bag is available in multiple colors including yellow, light blue, orange, dark blue, pink, green to name a few. Outslayer will even produce a bag with custom colors if you email them after ordering. Note that this will cost more though.
One of the best heavy bags out there, it gets better though as you have lifetime warranty on it.
If something is to happen you can send a video/photos to Outslayer and they’ll send you a new bag right away.
Pros
- Multiple color options
- Lifetime warranty
- Nylon straps mean no chains are needed
Cons
- Hard to say…
Product description
| Weight: | 80 lbs |
| Dimensions: | 44-inch height, 14″ diameter |
| Type: | Hanging |
| Materials: | Vinyl |
| Mount: | Yes |
Everlast 70lb Heavy Bag Kit
The Everlast 70lb Heavy Bag Kit includes multiple items including the black nevatear heavy bag, pair of gloves, boxing hand wraps, and the heavy bag mount.
It is stuffed with a custom filling made of natural, synthetic fibers and blended with sifted sand.
This makes for a homogenous feel, and the professional quality bag surface is made from genuine leather as well.
The hand wraps that are included are 100% cotton, they provide perfect comfort and support.
It also has a heavy-duty wood beam mount that makes the bag heavier and is constructed from solid steel material. Ultimately this also ensures stability and safety.
It’s hard to go wrong with Everlast boxing gear as they’ve been manufacturing for decades. That’s why we’ve included this bag as one of the best heavy bags on the market.
Pros
- Genuine leather glove
- Breathable cotton hand wraps
- Heavy-duty wood beam
Cons
- Bolt could be stronger
Product specifications
| Weight: | 78 lbs |
| Dimensions: | 46 x 15 x 15 inches |
| Type: | Hanging |
| Materials: | Genuine leather and synthetic fibers |
| Mount: | Yes |
RDX Punching Bag UNFILLED
The RDX Heavy Bag is especially for you if you’re into Muay Thai and kickboxing.
It is duly stitched for longer and more robust life that can take on even the toughest of punishments.
The bag contains a twin layer, which makes it invincible and can easily handle anywhere between 19 to 23 kg at 5 feet.
This produces an ideal amount of sway and resistance for the trainer.
It also comes with the free gel bag as well as the free steel chains that make the offer irresistible.
Depending on which type of filling you use, the heavy bag can be made heavier.
It also has a convenient zip-top making the filling easier to do.
Swing is reduced thanks to the tethered base loop and the heavy bags functionalities are also improved thanks to this loop.
Pros
- Shredded textile material
- Polyester inner layer
- Water-resistant leather
Cons
- Have to fill it yourself
Product specifications
| Weight: | Not specified |
| Dimensions: | 4 and 5 feet options |
| Type: | Hanging |
| Materials: | Maya hide leather |
| Mount: | Yes |
Fairtex Unfilled Heavy Bags – Multiple Variations
Here we have multiple heavy bags from the popular brand Fairtex. Prices vary depending on how many bags you buy, you can purchase 1 to 3 options.
The different types of punching bags on offer from Fairtex include:
- Traditional heavy bag
- Banana bag
- Pole bag
- Angled heavy bag
- Bowling bag
- Teardrop bag
We love that Fairtex have so many different varieties on offer, it helps if you are looking for a specific style.
Every bag type comes unfilled, and is constructed with four solid straps for hanging. Also, they are all made from genuine leather.
Pros
- Wide variety of bag options
- Quality made in Thailand bags
- Great for Muay Thai, kickboxing training
Cons
- All bags are unfilled
Product description
| Weight: | Depends on filling and bag type |
| Dimensions: | Depends on filling and bag type |
| Type: | Hanging |
| Materials: | Leather |
| Mount: | Yes |
Everlast Power Core Bag
Now for the second freestanding punching bag on our list. The Everlast Power Core Bag is an air foam chamber with a realistic feel.
Thanks to the rounded design, it makes for easy movement and ultimately enhances hand-eye coordination and cardio.
The Power core power transferring constantly takes the impact reduces sliding and base movement.
The high-density base can also be filled with water or sand quite easily.
The solid base provides easy targets and gives you the most out of each workout.
It’s also height-adjustable but not recommended for use outside.
Pros
- Air foam chamber
- High-density base
- Height adjustable
Cons
- Poor build quality
Product specifications
| Weight: | 24.2 lbs |
| Dimensions: | Height 54 inch to 65 inch |
| Type: | Standing |
| Materials: | Not specified |
| Mount: | No |
Boxing/punching Bag FAQ
What kind of punching bag should I buy?
If you are a fighter in training or MMA enthusiast, there is no other gear that’s more crucial than the punching bag.
Inevitably these bags as practice targets and help you develop and perfect your kicking and punching techniques.
Just like any other sport, you’re punching bag should be suitable for your particular sport and training goals.
Therefore it’s crucial to understand which style, size, and material are needed and essential for your specific type of training.
There are several different types of punching bags on the market.
And you need to choose one according to the type of combat sport you are involved in and your unique training goals as well.
The heavy bag is ideal for enhancing your overall technique; however, it’s not suitable for those looking to improve speed, reaction time, and reflex.
So the speed bag won’t be used for perfecting your front kicks.
Ultimately the right type of bag for kickboxing may not be the best one for Muay Thai and so on.
Practitioners have a choice between any of 200 custom punching bags to consider, and each one meets a specific goal, sport, or athletic build.
So here are a few of the most common and popular types out there:
Heavy bag
As the name suggests, these are large and heavy-duty punching bags.
They are usually suspended from the ceiling so that they can withstand quite the impact.
In general, these heavy bags are designed for enhancing the overall kicking, and punching to standard heavy bags is more cylindrical; however, heavy bags come in several different shapes and sizes.
Most of them weigh between 30 to 200 pounds and are meant to be hung with the chain, swivel.
If you are into MMA, Muay Thai, Karate, and boxing, then this is definitely the bag for you.
Other types of heavy bags
- Double and heavy: Double and heavy bag is like the angled bag; however, they feature two dramatic angles. You can think of it as an hourglass shape. The advantage of this is that it allows athletes to train head-body combinations. The silhouette of the bag actually mimics that of an opponent.
- Angle heavy bag: The heavy angle bag features a top-heavy design with a broader top portion as well as a slimmer trunk. These types of punching bags allow you to gain better and straighter punches, uppercuts, as well as body shots.
- Round heavy bag: These bags are heavy spherical bags, and they are also short. There are those with a teardrop shape as well. It’s usually used to hone in on certain body punches. Some practitioners use what is more commonly defined as a “wrecking ball” heavy bag and is recommended if you want a bag that will help you perfect more targeted punches and kicks.
- Multi-heavy bag: This is basically a slimmer and longer version of the standard heavy bag. It’s designed differently for training strikes and kicks. They are often used in MMA and Muay Thai training.
Punching bags also come in two different types; you have the freestanding and then hanging type.
The freestanding one, as the name implies, does not require you to mount the bag onto the ceiling or any other fixture.
Most punching bags are hung from the ceiling or attached to a wall; however, freestanding bags are mounted on durable and heavy basis.
Ultimately this allows them to be placed anywhere inside the room. Some of them can even be used as an outdoor punching bag.
They can be easily positioned to allow a single space to have multiple users.
They also have a spring-loaded design for the bag to return to the fighter every time it is hit.
A different type of speed and movement is offered by this recoil, and it’s one that might be expected from a standard mounting bag and delivers a different challenge for the fighter.
These freestanding bags are great for practicing common Muay Thai, and low kicks.
They are also ideal for home gyms where the ceiling and wall insulation is not one of the options.
Speed bag
As the name suggests, these bags are about speed.
So ultimately, they are built to assist athletes in perfecting fast-paced punches, timing, endurance, and strength specific goals.
Fighters will develop shoulder strength and learn how to keep their hands up as well.
They are filled with air and are significantly smaller than the heavy bags.
So often, it’s not an issue to suspend them from the ceiling or wall platform.
Most speed bags are shaped like globes or are teardrop-shaped.
Double-end bags
Double-end bags are intended to help perfect counterpunches by sharpening reflexes, hand-eye coordination, and improving speed as well.
Ultimately it helps you effectively nail down rhythm and timing.
Double-end bags are available in different sizes depending on the fighter’s requirements and can be mounted on the wall or the ceiling.
Uppercut bag
The uppercut bag is designed in a unique way and focuses on uppercut practice.
It’s used for straight punches such as crosses and jabs, hooks, and more.
These kinds of bags can be mounted on the ceiling or the wall, depending on their size and shape.
If you into serious boxing and would like to take it up professionally, then this bag is highly recommended.
Wall bag
Wall punching bags are usually used for various types of training in gyms and are ideal for high vaulted ceilings.
Unlike traditional punching bags, they are mounted to the wall and do not provide any provide swivel or rebound.
They are known as mounted punching bags, and they are much less common than the swinging bags.
However, it still may be a good choice in environments where ceiling or wall mounting is not available.
Grappling Dummy
The grappling dummy is probably one of the most lifelike punching bags that has ever been created.
It looks just like a human opponent and even has a head, legs, and hands.
Generally, they are freestanding; they don’t have a base to keep them rooted, and; this allows you to perfect your throws, submissions, takedowns, and strikes.
They are usually used when training in MMA, as well as other sports such as jujitsu and judo.
How to correctly and safely hit the punching bags?
The most common problem with most fighters in training is that they have the tendency to stare too hard.
The two most common problems that are seen in fighters is staring too hard at the bag or not looking at the bag at all.
So as a start, you should avoid too much staring. In fact, don’t stare too much at one spot that you can’t see anything else.
Lazy eyes is another problem that you should avoid. This is when you don’t stare at the bag at all while punching.
Some fighters have a tendency to let their eyes roam all over the place, and this leaves them vulnerable.
Next, you should keep your balance. Instead of throwing yourself at the bag, you should just throw punches at the bag.
So stand on your own two feet and stand firm.
The next step is to punch and not push. So your goal should be to hit the bag and not push it.
Another problem that lots of fighters have is grounding their feet when they punch.
This gives you more balance and inevitably more power and control over your mobility when you punch.
Move around, all you want, however, ground your feet. Move your feet when you’re not punching.
So you can choose to move your hands or move your feet or possibly even your head.
If you’re not making an offensive move, you’re making a defensive one.
Since the bags are not punching back, you should avoid head movements; however, your feet should always be moving. Keep your distance as well.
Next, you shouldn’t wait, and this is what separates the men from the boys.
Professional fighters are always throwing punches and doing it consistently.
Even if you rest, do it for two seconds at the most. The key is to remember that the moment you stop punching, your opponent starts punching.
Next, make use of less power and more breathing. Power comes from using good technique; however, endurance and stamina will come from good breathing.
Next, when you throw punches, you should always do it in a series of the six punches.
It’s not enough to damage your opponent; however, it’s enough to make sure that you can gain your balance or composure before your opponent fires.
Another tip to remember is that you should be active even when you rest.
Everyone gets tired; however, the important thing is that even while you’re resting, move around.
Last but not least, keep your hands up at all times. When you are on the defense is easy to get lazy and especially when practicing on a punching bag.
However, when in front of a real-life opponent, you need to remember that they do punch back. So always keep your hands up.
Related Questions
Do I need gloves for punching bags?
This is an extremely common question.
However, the simple answer is that you can choose to hit a punching bag with MMA gloves, hand wraps all possibly even with bare hands.
Some people find it easier to punch a punching bag with bare knuckles.
The real question, however, is how often you should use a punching bag without gloves and what are the risks.
Ultimately, most heavy bags we between 70-200 pounds, and this is quite a lot of weight to be hitting with your bare fist.
So ultimately if you are still new to boxing or MMA and are still perfecting your technique it is recommended that you use beginner boxing gloves or MMA gloves in order to provide protection and support for your wrist and fist.
What size should I get?
MMA gloves are available in different sizes.
A size in one brand may be bigger than the same size in another brand.
So what you need to do is find a size chart to figure out your available sizes and then decide what to do.
Conclusion
MMA is probably one of the best combat sports out there simply because of the physical and mental benefits that it gives its practitioners.
However, in order to make the most out of your MMA training, you will need to invest in the right gear.
