Buying a Heavy Bag...looking for input

I am really needing some help with choosing a heavy bag. I can't run for a while due to an injury, so I am going to try and make due with some kickboxing workouts. And wish to purchase a heavy bag for my home.

I've done some research...hanging versus free standing, Muay Thai, leather, vinyl, canvas...it is all very confusing. This is what I've gathered in information so far:

The filling ...there is sooo many choices with regards to what to use (if you don't buy a pre-filled one) sawdust, water, sand bags, fabric...one guy used rice (I think he was joking, I really don't know though) and any combination of the above. The filling matters because of how it feels when you are punching the bag. Water feels more like punching a human and is better on your hand.. sand is the most used filling but settles at the bottom making the bag unbalanced and hard to hit in some places, Fabric is cheap and has (from what I can gather) the second most "real" feel and give capabilities in the fabric choices options.

I had a free standing heavy bag before. It moved around a lot and I didn't like that much. The hanging bags are hard to remove once you hang them. They are pretty much (from what I understand) staying in whatever place you hang them originally. Canvas is better for the elements if you are going to have it outside. Most prefer leather though. Muay Thai bags are thinner and made for training in that specific martial art.

Your personal weight and height matter...as well as strength. But most bags it sounds like (if they aren't pre-filled) you can manipulate the weight with the filling you choose to some degree.

Just a lot of information to consider before you buy one of these things. For what I am wanting it for (kick boxing and boxing work outs) I don't need anything really too fancy. I am looking to get something of some quality. But, I was hoping that maybe some members would be able to tell me their preferences or maybe what else I should consider when purchasing one. Or if there is something that I don't need to consider in the information I've collected.

Thanks to anyone who can help, I really didn't realize it could be so complicated...lol
blend57


Heavy Bag comparison chart

a reply to: blend57

Pre filled Fairtex banana bag if you have the funds available. They're pricey but hard wearing.

Will always go for hanging over free standing, with a regular 5 foot bag if you have the space to push the bag back you can simulate the weight of a taller guy pressing on you while you throw shots from the inside. Very useful for practicing uppercuts and hooks in the pocket.

I prefer leather for a heavy bag and linen for punching bags. you have to treat the leather now and then or it will get scars very fast. Depending on how much you use it.

Swinging bags are better for the footwork if you ask me.

But keep in mind, if you can´t run, kickboxing is mostly about kicks, hence the name..not that your injury get´s worser..

MagnaCarta2015

Thanks..I checked out a review just now..it didn't really review the bag too much..just how to hang it. Which, it does look like it would be pretty permanent and hard to remove once you place it. I'll check out some more reviews of it.


(This is what I watched)

I seem to be leaning towards a hanging bag..but I'm not sure if I can find a permanent place to hang it and leave it. That is really my only concern otherwise I wouldn't even consider a free standing...because of the one I owned before that moved around a ton.

verschickter

I can run..but it is painful..lol. And I can't do the distance I was running. So, I already do some kickboxing workouts and just decided this was an opportunity to get more involved in that for awhile until my ankle healed. The heavy bag I can do at my home and quit when it starts to hurt. Running is not that easy to quit if you are miles away from home and your injury acts up. Hopefully that explains it some anyways...

Leather is a good option then..



Is this the type of swinging bag you were talking about? I will look into that in a bit. Thanks for the information and responses.

blend57

a reply to: blend57

Don't forget about the weight of the bag, as well.

a reply to: blend57
I use the free swinging type, it also has it´s disadvantages, depending on who you listen to.


with the linen bag, I mean this:

It´s used without gloves and the secret behind it is not harding your fists but learning to relax shortly after the complete energy exchange. You need to make it bounce, this way the energy is not converted back to your hand into your body. Don´t do this without someone showing you how to do it correctly or you´ll probably break you fingers or knuckles when you relax too soon.

edit: most of the big long free swinging types also have thick leather band at the bottom where you can hook up a chain to make them stay in place.

I prefer either a large free-standing bag or a HEAVY leather hanging bag.

I'm currently between bags, since I wore my Everlast 100# leather bag out.

I'm eyeing a Century BOB, and considering filling the base with steel shot to see if it helps the movement.

For reference, I'm a pretty big guy. 5'11" and 230lbs.

What works for you will just depend on your goals.

a reply to: blend57

If you're insane or rich the star trac boxmaster with the kick pad is the Bentley of hitting stuff. They're awesome but I can't convince the mrs to let me have one.

a reply to: cynicalheathen

Ditto. I wore out 3 of em. So keep in mind o.p. that they do wear n tear after a while.

Great exercise tho just get ready for some jambed or sore wrists til you get used to it.

Long over a short one . I split the canvas / linen one we had . But that took a while !

Kickboxing is going to mash your ankle worse than running, surely . Unless your just tapping it sparring style that is .

a reply to: blend57

Hi blend, I recommend Bob. He's very durable and easily portable. A bit pricey though, I think around 500 bucks. I have this at my gym is it's awesome.

knowledgehunter0986

Bob scares me..

I looked at him though when comparing bags. Not the price so much as seeing him standing in the dark somewhere in the middle of the night when I am on my way to the bathroom..lol

But, other than his total creepy looks..he is the top pick for free standing heavy bags on the comparison guide.


MagnaCarta2015

Although it looks to be quite awesome..I am just looking for something simple...lol. That seems to be for a professional boxer really..which I am just a novice. Thanks for the suggestion, it was interesting to watch and see something new.


LesMisanthrope

The weight and also your expertise, and strength. You need to get one that takes all those factors into consideration. Some manipulation can be done if you fill the bag yourself..but mostly you would need one that weighs half of what you do. So, that is something I need to consider as well.

verschickter

I see now. The swinging is going allow you to practice your footwork (which is what you said..sorry, I didn't understand properly until I read more) and offers a bit more realism because no opponent is going to stand in front of you and let you just face punch them all day. It also has the ring on the bottom to make it stationary. So it is more versatile when training then a regular heavy bag. The linen pads look to be for more of a professional use. I am not to that point yet..lol


Thanks for all the information and thoughts. Still can't decide but at least I have a bit more understanding and some direction as to where to look and where not to. Hopefully I can pick out a better one than I did last time..lol

blend57

After you have soften it up...bbq time!!

a reply to: blend57

I'm 60, and thus very old school, so take whatever I say with a grain of salt. 12 years ago, I bought an Everlast (*chuckle*) heavy bag. It wasn't heavy enough for my size, but I put it up under a Naseberry tree and starter hammering away at it. I waterproofed the exterior canvas, and put a super large plastic bag over it when I wasn't using it. Yes, it got kicks and elbows and knees and everything else. Everlast. pffffffffft. After about a year and a half it split. I tried to contain the damage with duct tape, but no go. Do you know what it was filled with?? Elastic waistbands from calvin klein tighty whities. I swear to God that's the truth. I wouldn't have believed it, if I didn't have to pick up a bazillion of the things off the ground.

So, I set out to make my own. I weight about 250, and wanted a bag that was closer to my weight. You know the worst thing about a heavy bag?? It has no chin. Your uppercuts are almost completely useless, and that's a powerful tool in boxing. Here's what I did (and it's still swinging to this very day, having survived a Cat 4/5 hurricane):

1. I took a 20" X 10" nylon stuff bag and filled it with dry sand. I let the sand sit in a wooden box in the sun and turned it for several days. I wrapped that bag with a roll of duct tape. It made a core that was 20" X 8" of lone sand. I acquired a 30" x 50" heavy-duty, single-strap military duffle bag. I packed about 8" of old clothes in the bottom and compacted it with a 2 X 4. I put the sand core in it and stuffed the space between the core and the bag with old clothes and scrap canvas. I kept packing it tightly with the 2 X 4 until it was full. It ended up a tad heavier than I wanted -- about 265 lbs, but it's a sturdy and heavy heavy bag. I hooked the top loops together and hung it from the tree, and waterproofed the outside with beeswax/paraffin/linseed oil. ETA: There is a garbage can lid on the cable above the bag to keep the rain off.

This bag is going to be around for a while. When it starts to look seedy, I'll wrap a few turns of duct tape. It requires a lot of force to make it dance. If I were doing it over again, I'd make the sand core smaller.

AND....... I think a person could use dense foam near the top to make a chin. A heavy bag should have a chin.

a reply to: knowledgehunter0986

Bob ain't bad. For me, he doesn't have enough weight in the base, and too much flex in the upper body, but I will say that Bob is very well made and will last a long time, imo. Good purchase for the money.

Go Rocky Go Rocky !
There are indeed many choices there..
You will probably want to go for something like those free standing punching bags that is very valueable.
No pain no gain - keep it up

a reply to: blend57

Best work out I ever got from any bag is the one that punches back.

The focus bag



And you talk about fun? I love mine.

PS from what I seen of the guy in the vid he doesn't sh1t about how to use it.

a reply to: blend57

It'd be wise to seek advice on your injury. I can't imagine how working the heavy bag will be good for an injured ankle and definitely not kickboxing. You might have the overtraining bug or worse. If you haven't already, get advice before doing anything and listen to it.

I had a running injury (ITB syndrome) and kept running through it. To be fair, physios couldn't identify it and I increased training whenever it wasn't too painful. Needless to say, it cost months in lay offs and I never got back to the high level of fitness. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

You can keep the cardio levels using the elliptical trainer at a gym. A lot of the runners use them at my gym because they condition leg muscles while being very low-impact on the knees, ankles feet etc. Stationary bike is another one as long as the resistance isn't set too high to inflame the ankle. Adductor/abductor exercises are dull but increase stability and protect knees and ankles from injury. Swimming is an incredible workout if you set out to swim a mile every time at a challenging effort rate. In fact, the only times I've had 'runners high' was from swimming.

Get advice off a physio! Not an internet one either - someone who will look at your stance, move your ankle and assess the extent of the damage.

HannahMoore

Honestly, I still haven't chosen one yet. The weather has been better and I'm back to long distance running again. My foot has healed and I'm able to get back to running again. Still want to get one though and I'm leaning towards a hanging bag. As I've said, I already had a free standing and I wasn't too impressed. It moves around too much and is a pain to have to keep re-positioning it. (no matter what I filled the base with)

randyvs

I watched the video..I am definitely not ready for that bag yet. Probably get hit in the face more than anything else..lol. But it was pretty cool to see him use it. I did notice he had a jump rope hanging in the background with a tennis ball on it? At least I think it was a jump rope..what was the tennis ball for?

Kandinsky

All healed up now and have been back at serious running for a week or so. I kept testing it out and finally gave it a few weeks off from any intense workouts. Seemed to do the trick. Not really a gym person, otherwise I would take that advice. Not that working out in a gym is a bad thing...I just prefer to work out privately. And I love to exercise outdoors whenever possible.

Still am gonna get a bag..most likely a hanging one, just not as motivated/rushed to do so right now...because I've been able to get back to running. I did buy some cool running shoes though...lol. They should be here in a few days....

I honestly am really grateful to everyone for your suggestions. I had a bit of an idea what I wanted but wasn't too sure if it was the right thing. After all the ideas and pros and cons you all threw out there, I was able to narrow it down a bit. So thanks to everyone who helped out.

blend57

a reply to: blend57

I should have checked the dates