Finding the right punching bag can feel overwhelming when you’re first starting. What’s the best boxing bag for beginners? Is heavier always better? What about setup and portability?
This article will give you our expert review of the ten best punching bags for beginners and what makes each one stand out.
Table of Contents
- How to Select The Best Punching Bag as a Beginner
- Training Purposes
- Types of Punching Bags
- Review Criteria
- 10 Best Punching Bags for Beginners
- 1. Everlast Nevatear Training Bag
- 2. Everlast Powercore Freestanding Bag
- 3. Century Original Wavemaster Freestanding Bag
- 4. Ringside Elite Freestanding Punching Bag
- 5. Fairtex Banana Bag (Unfilled)
- 6. Everlast Single-Station Heavy Bag Stand
- 7. Ringside Powerhide Heavy Bag
- 8. Dripex Freestanding Punching Bag for Adults and Kids
- 9. Century BOB XL Body Training Bag
- 10. U’King Adult and Kids Freestanding Punching Bag
- Conclusion
- Beginners Punching Bag Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
First though, we will take a look at how to select the best punching bag so you know what to look for no matter where you order yours from.
How to Select The Best Punching Bag as a Beginner
Now, there are many things you need to consider before making a decision on your punching bag.
However, as a beginner you might not know what to look for. Well, to name a few you should think about the bags brand, color, shape, size, weight and what type of training you need it for (among other things).
We go into more details on each of these considerations below so you can know exactly what to look for.
Brand
A good rule of thumb is to always buy your boxing gear from respected and trusted brands.
Doing so helps ensure you get a good product and great customer service. Not to mention such brands offer generous refund, repair and warranty guarantees.
Check out what brands your local boxing gym carries to test some out before you buy and look at which brands your favourite fighters wear in their matches.
Looking at the brands they use in their fights will give you an insight into their preferences as they want to use the gear that gives them the best chance of winning the bout.
Overall you can’t go wrong with long standing and well known brands like Everlast, TITLE, Ringside and Century.
Color
This specification largely depends on your personal preference and makes no difference in the boxing bags performance. Pick a color that suits your taste and which you will appreciate in your home gym or workout area.
Shape
The shape of your punching bag will effect what it will and won’t be suitable for.
For example, a standard cylinder shape bag hanging from the ceiling is the common shape of heavy bags. These tend to be best for strength training and developing your striking power.
The smaller bags placed on top of a metal poll which recoils when hit on the other hand will be a reflex bag. These will be better for training your accuracy, speed and reflexes (as the name suggests). They will be of little use for those looking to add more power to their punch.
Size & Weight
The size and weight of your bag will seriously affect how useful it is for your training purposes.
Take your own size, weight, age, strength and experience into account when deciding which bag is right for you.
Buy one too small and light, and it won’t remain firmly in place and could cause damage to any items or walls surrounding it. Buy one too heavy and large, and you could sustain an injury whilst using it and pick up poor form and striking habits as a result.
If buying for a younger fighter, consult our tool here which helps you decide which size and weight bag is right for you!
Material
The material that your punching bag is made out of will make a huge difference in how durable, useful and high-quality it is. Genuine leather or strong, synthetic leathers are commonly used on the higher end punching bags because they are long lasting.
You will want a mix of strength, smooth punching surface and durability in your bags material.
Price
We get it, everyone has a budget in mind (especially beginners). You don’t want to spend a fortune on your gear when you are just dipping your toes in to your punching training. However, as the quality of your punching bag will determine how safe it is to use, you don’t want to go with the cheapest option. Look for affordability and quality. Ask your local boxing coach or dojo leader if the budget you have in mind is a reasonable number. If not, ask them how much they would suggest you spend on your first bag.
Training Purposes
Of course you also need to consider what kind of training you will want to use your bag for.
If you are looking to learn MMA or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), you will want a bag which can be used to train your ground/floor work. A grappling dummy will be a much better option.
Looking for a general workout bag that you can use to work up a sweat whilst letting off some steam? Invest in a heavy bag like one of those found below.
Types of Punching Bags
As a beginner you might not know that there are several types of punching bag. Which one you choose will depend on your budget, available training space and/or preferences.
Below, we will quickly breakdown the different types of punching bags available to you.
Freestanding
The freestanding bag is attached to a base of some sort.
If you have bought an inflatable bag, the base might contain little materials as it will be being used by younger and weaker fighters. Traditional bags though will typically be attached to a base filled with water or sand to keep it strongly in place.
Freestanding bags are best for those with limited space available and those on a right budget.
The main disadvantage of using a freestanding bag however is that they will quickly fall over or be moved if hit with enough force. For this reason, they are only suitable for beginners and you might find that you soon outgrow yours if you don’t invest in the right one.
Century are known for their stable, strong and effective freestanding punching bags.
Hanging
As the name suggests, a hanging bag will hang from the ceiling (usually by a chain attached to a hook or bracket).
These bags will usually be heavier and slightly more expensive. However, they can be hit a lot harder and you can even slight practising some light footwork and defence moves with them.
The drawback of this kind of bag is that it requires more space to use effectively.
Wall Mounted
Finally, we have wall mounted punching bags. These are secured to the wall and allow you to strike the front (and sometimes side) of the bag. They are typically used for a mix of speed and power training. Great for training combinations.
Review Criteria
We used each other the below criteria in our review of each of the punching bags below.
We stepped into the shoes of a beginner fighter and pictured exactly what you would want from your punch bag if you were new to the world of combat sports training.
10 Best Punching Bags for Beginners
So without further ado, let’s check out the list.
1. Everlast Nevatear Training Bag
*Details last updated on 2023-05-30
Everlast is one of the best brands out there when it comes to boxing bags. Built for longevity and surprisingly affordable, the Nevatear is made of premium synthetic leather and reinforced webbing – this means it’s going to last a long time and withstand a lot of punches.
The bag comes with all the mechanics to install, including nylon straps that are less noisy than chains.
Pros
- Affordable
- Quality materials
- Easy installation Cons
- The zipper that holds in the stuffing is somewhat flimsy.
Cons
- The zipper that holds in the stuffing is somewhat flimsy.
2. Everlast Powercore Freestanding Bag
*Details last updated on 2023-05-30
Another Everlast product, this freestanding bag is one of the top sellers in the category. The Everlast Powercore is excellent for smaller boxers, too, with adjustable height and lighter weight.
The Powercore has less filling and padding than other options on this list. You can fill the base with sand or water to hold it in place. This bag is ideal for agile boxers and high cardio workouts.
Pros
- Quality materials
- Great for smaller, lighter boxers
- Solid base Cons
- Low on padding
- Somewhat pricey
Cons
- Low on padding
- Somewhat pricey
3. Century Original Wavemaster Freestanding Bag
*Details last updated on 2023-05-30
Century’s popular freestanding bag is an excellent bargain. The 250-pound rounded base has two advantages – it bounces back quickly and can be moved by rolling it on its side.
The Wavemaster is exceptionally sturdy, and the height is adjustable, making it great for any boxer. The size and design make it ideal for kick-boxing and cardio workouts. The base is wider than the bag, so if your exercise includes close punching, this may not be the bag for you.
Pros
- Great price
- Adjustable height
- Portable
- Very sturdy
- Great for cardio and kicking
Cons
- Wide base
4. Ringside Elite Freestanding Punching Bag
*Details last updated on 2023-05-30
Ringside is a stellar boxing brand, and you can tell from the quality. Their freestanding punching bag is the sturdiest on the market, weighing in at 270 pounds.
If you’re looking for a hanging bag but don’t have space for it, you might like this alternative. It feels almost exactly like a hanging bag.
The vinyl coating and firmly stuffed foam make it worth the price point if you’re looking for longevity.
Pros
- High-quality materials
- Extremely sturdy
- Feels like a hanging bag
- Doesn’t collapse
Cons
- Pricey
5. Fairtex Banana Bag (Unfilled)
*Details last updated on 2023-05-30
If you’re looking for a bag to do martial arts training, this is probably the one you want. While it’s a bit pricier and the filling is not included, Fairtex’s hanging bag is ideal for kicking, clinching, and other Muay Thai moves.
Made of durable synthetic leather and industrial-strength nylon straps, this bag will last a long time and won’t be too loud either.
Pros
- Ideal for mixed martial arts training
- Affordable
- High-quality materials
Cons
- Unfilled
6. Everlast Single-Station Heavy Bag Stand
*Details last updated on 2023-05-09
Yes, we’re recommending another Everlast product. While this isn’t the cheapest option on the list, it has everything you need for a hanging bag without needing a reinforced beam to hang it.
The bag comes with a full kit, including a bag stand, a bag, assembly materials, boxing gloves, and hand wraps. You do have to buy weight discs separately to weigh down the bag.
This bag is great for martial arts training or anyone who prefers the feeling of heavy hanging bags but can’t hang a bag from their ceiling.
Pros
- Quality materials
- Full kit with stand, bag, gloves, and wraps.
- Hanging bag without the need to anchor to the ceiling.
Cons
- Expensive
- Doesn’t include weight discs
7. Ringside Powerhide Heavy Bag
*Details last updated on 2023-05-30
One of the most indestructible bags on our list, this Ringside model is made of durable powerhide, made to withstand the most ferocious workout.
A two-inch foam liner makes it a little more comfortable to punch and great for beginners.
Filled up to 150 pounds, the Ringside can withstand any kind of training, including martial arts, kickboxing, boxing, and contact athlete training.
Pros
- Extremely durable
- High-quality heavy hanging bag
- Two-inch foam liner gives a comfortable punching surface.
Cons
- Pricey
- Chain hanging can be loud
8. Dripex Freestanding Punching Bag for Adults and Kids
*Details last updated on 2023-05-30
Dripex focuses on quality, and it’s the materials that set this bag apart. The synthetic leather is more supple and smoother than many other similar bags.
The base absorbs shock and noise, so this is an excellent option for an apartment or office. The base also has suction cups to keep it sturdy, along with a sand filler.
While tall enough for adults, this is also a great bag for kids just getting started.
Pros
- Good price
- High-quality synthetic leather
- Very stable base
- Absorbs shock and sound
- Suitable for adults and kids
Cons
- Base is challenging to fill with a small hole.
9. Century BOB XL Body Training Bag
*Details last updated on 2023-05-30
If you’re getting into boxing to do mixed martial arts training or self-defense, you want to consider this bag.
Designed to look like a human torso, the bag helps train precision boxing. The bag is made of high-strength plastisol, which means it can withstand a lot of abuse, and the base holds up to 270 pounds making it very sturdy.
You can also adjust the height settings. The main drawback of this item is the high price point.
Pros
- High-quality materials
- Ideal for precision training
- Sturdy base
- Easy setup
Cons
- Very pricey
10. U’King Adult and Kids Freestanding Punching Bag
*Details last updated on 2023-05-30
While this bag isn’t from a brand name, it holds up for the price point. This bag has excellent quality foam filling and a satisfying feel.
The base is solid and includes suction cups to enhance stability, like the Dripex. Also, like the Dripex, the U’King has built-in shock absorbers to minimize sound and impact. (Though we find the Dripex is more successful.).
Overall, a good option for the cost.
Pros
- Good price
- Good quality foam stuffing
- Reinforced based
Cons
- Materials are not as high-quality as other products.
So, now that you know what to consider when shopping for your beginners boxing bag, you can make a better and more informed purchasing decision.
Conclusion
So, now that you know both what to look for when buying a punching bag and some examples of excellent ones that we could find, you can comfortably invest in the right bag for you.
If you have any questions about your purchase, or beginner questions about the sport, feel free to reach out to us at info@sportarly.com. Or, leave a comment on this article so we can answer it for you!
Beginners Punching Bag Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will my punching bag come filled?
This depends on exactly which punch bag you have bought. Usually though a punching bag will not come filled. See our guide on how to fill a punching bag for details on how to fill yours and what materials to use when doing so.
Is hitting a punching bag a good workout?
Simply put, yes! Hitting a punching bag engages your core and all main muscle groups. You will be building strength and endurance whilst working up a sweat.
What other gear do I need for a punching bag workout?
While this will depend slightly on how heavy the bag you are hitting is, you will want at least hand wraps and gloves to offer you enough protection.
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