Are you looking to duke it out in the safety of your own home? You might not know where to start, but that’s a-okay. We’ve picked ten of the best speed bags for your setup.
Selecting the best speed bag isn’t easy which is why we put together the top 10 list below. However, there are some things that you can look for which we will go into more detail on first.
How To Buy The Best Speed Bag
The first step in selecting the best speed bag is understanding exactly what one is. After all, if you don’t know this how do you expect to separate the good from the bad?
What Is A Speed Bag?
Speed bags are small, round and lightweight punching bags which recoil sharply when punched. In order to repeatedly hit one you need a good deal of accuracy and hand-eye-coordination.
Why You Should Use a Speed Bag
Speed bags are good for developing your accuracy and reflexes. They will help make you a faster fighter whilst improving your punching endurance.
They are also hard work so you will be training your endurance! If you find your shoulders getting tired and sore whilst training, a speed bag will help.
They are also good for training coordination which will benefit you greatly in the ring. If you think about it, you need a lot of coordination in a fight. You must attack the opponent whilst blocking their counter attacks. You also need to move about the ring without losing your balance. Any tool that helps you develop these skills is a good investment.
Also, as the name suggests, a speed bag is great for training and developing speed! They force you to punch quickly whilst reacting at fast speeds so as not to miss the next punch or accidentally block the bag as it recoils.
What To Look For in a Speed Bag
We used the below considerations as our review criteria for this article. Doing so allows us to more objectively analyse each bag and provide you with more accurate and insightful information.
Size
Whilst all speed bags are fairly small (especially compared to heavy bags), they do differ in size and you need to select the right one for your training goals.
A larger bag will be easier to hit and recoil less slowly so will be better for beginners and younger fighters. A smaller bag will come back at you with some force and you’ll need some stamina to keep it running for any extended period of time.
Weight
Like the size of the bag, the weight effects how fast it swings round and also determines how forgiving it is on the hands.
A heavier bag will move more slowly and be better for new fighters whereas a lighter one will move quickly and be best for more advanced and experienced fighters.
Material
The material of the bag will come into a good review of any kind of punching bag but especially the speed bag.
The outer surface of the bag needs to be made from strong, durable and reliable materials. Most often, the exterior of the bag will be made a real or synthetic leather.
A genuine leather bag is often longer lasting and more forgiving. They will also often cost more than a synthetic option. You will usually find gyms using genuine leather bags due to how frequently they are used.
Synthetic leather is a more affordable option and better for home gyms. The cheaper price tag does however mean they aren’t as durable. The synthetic options are good for beginners and those on a tighter budget.
Bladder
The bladder of a speed bag is an inflated ball placed inside of the bag. This allows it to maintain its shape and feel. Due to the impact they take, the bladder on a speed bag is usually made out of rubber or latex.
Rubber is the most reliable and durable of the materials but also weighs more. So those looking for a slower and heavier bag (beginners and younger fighters) should choose bags with a rubber bladder.
Latex bladders are light weight and compact. They will be better for developing speed and endurance and tend to be the more advanced fighters preference. It should be noted that latex bladders can let air escape quicker than rubber alternatives, so have a pump handy if you invest in one.
Mount
You can mount a speed bag in a number of ways and by and large the mounting won’t make a difference.
For example, you can mount the bag on a wall, as a freestanding one (to a base), or hang it from the floor and ceiling.
Usually in gyms speed bags are mounted floor to ceiling or on a wall with a backboard. You will need to make sure you have the necessary attachments to hang the bag.
Freestanding speed bags are the most convenient and are a great option for beginners and home gyms with more space available. Wall mounted bags are the best option for those with a limited training area.
Price
We all have a budget in mind when investing in new training equipment and, for the most part, it is important to stick to that budget. Have a look at some of the options below to gauge whether your starting budget is a reasonable one and adjust it accordingly if needed.
10 Best Speed Bags
1. Hunter MMA Speed Bag
*Details last updated on 2023-05-30
If you’re looking for a reliable, minimalistic speed bag, check out the Hunter MMA Speed Bag. This one would be durable enough with its authentic cow leather exterior. The fact that it’s got a four-ply cotton-poly internal lining will make you feel all the more confident in punching it for hours.
Not only is the bag itself quality, but the swivel is fantastic, too. It gives the bag a decreased central hub, which means you get a rhythmic hit every time.
2. Everlast Everhide Speed Bag
*Details last updated on 2023-05-30
For a complete set that’ll last through countless training sessions, consider going with the Everlast Everhide Speed Bag. It comes with a 24-inch platform, brackets, a swivel, boxing gloves, hand wraps, a jump rope—and, of course, a faux-leather speed bag.
A highlight of this product is its reinforced seams. They’re what guarantees that the speed bag will hold up against round after round heavy hitting. Between the seams and the bag’s carbon fibers, you know this one’s gonna last you a long time.
3. Protocol Punching Bag
*Details last updated on 2023-05-30
Maybe you don’t want a hanging speed bag. Perhaps you’d prefer something standing up. That’s where the Protocol Punching Bag comes into play.
This setup comes with a sturdy base that you can fill with sand or water. From there, you can adjust the height of the pole from four feet to 4’10”.
While the stand itself is stellar, it’s not the only thing the Protocol Punching Bag set has to offer. The bag and stand also come with a pair of boxing gloves and a needled air pump. Overall, this pick is one of the best speed bags for beginners and seasoned boxers alike!
4. MaxxMMA Heavy Duty Adjustable Speed Bag Kit
*Details last updated on 2023-05-30
Here’s a set that you’ll love for its platform as much as its bag. The MaxxMMA Heavy Duty Adjustable Speed Bag Kit exists to accommodate any speed bag you might already have in addition to the one it has.
With this kit, you can mount the platform anywhere you’d like (though, unfortunately, it doesn’t have mounting equipment) and then adjust its height from there. It comes with a 10-inch by 7-inch bag, but again, it can handle any size you attach to it. You’ll also find that the needled air pump and the swivel make this set great for your at-home boxing needs.
5. TITLE Boxing Gyro Balanced Speed Bag
*Details last updated on 2023-05-30
If you’ve got a fondness for leather, this bag may be the one for you. The TITLE Boxing Gyro Balanced Speed Bag has leather shell panels, seams, and laces to ensure you can sock it time and time again. You’ll also love how the bag is internally balanced and has a high-grade bladder (made of butyl rubber). Not only can you punch this bag a lot, but you get a magnificent hit every time.
This one’s also great because it comes in four different sizes:
- XXS (four inches by seven inches)
- S (five inches by eight inches)
- M (six inches by nine inches)
- L (seven inches by ten inches). No matter who you are or how you’re looking to punch, TITLE’s Gyro Balanced Speed Bags have you covered.
No matter who you are or how you’re looking to punch, TITLE’s Gyro Balanced Speed Bags have you covered.
6. Meister SpeedKills Leather Speed Bag
*Details last updated on 2023-05-30
Are you looking for one of the best speed bags with a latex bladder? Look no further. The Meister SpeedKills Leather Speed Bag will recoil and rebound faster and lighter than your average speed bag with a rubber bladder.
Naturally, though, that’s not the only highlight. Like the Hunter MMA Speed Bag, Meister made their SpeedKills Leather Speed Bag of bona fide cow leather. It’s also got reinforced seams. All in all, these materials make for one tough speed bag.
This bag also comes in three sizes:
- Small (seven-and-a-half inches by five inches)
- Medium (nine-and-a-half inches by six inches)
- Large (ten-and-a-half inches by seven inches).
Boxers of any skill set will find the SpeedKills Bag rises to any occasion.
7. MaxxMMA Speed Bag – Type II
*Details last updated on 2023-05-30
Here’s another top-of-the-line offering from MaxxMMA. The Speed Bag – Type II is more stripped back than the Heavy Duty Adjustable Speed Bag Kit, as it’s only the speed bag and the air pump. That simplicity makes this one of the best speed bags if you’ve already got a setup and need a new bag.
The Speed Bag – Type II uses the same quality material as the other MaxxMMA. It’s one of the best speed bags for anyone who wants to avoid real leather.
8. ACETOP Speed Punch Bag
*Details last updated on 2023-05-30
Do you want one of the best speed bags for the entire family? Try the ACETOP Speed Punch Bag.
Measuring almost twelve inches by seven inches, it’s perfect for anyone of any age or skill level.
Like the MaxxMMA bags, it’s made of faux leather—which you’ll see can take a beating just as well as real leather!
9. Mumian Pendant Speed Ball
*Details last updated on 2023-05-30
Most speed bags come in that classic teardrop shape and have rigid stands. What if you want to mix things up, though? Try the Mumian Pendant Speed Ball.
As its name suggests, it’s got a rounder shape than conventional speed bags, and it hangs from a pull rope.
Made of leather, polyurethane, nylon, and rubber, this bag can take an expert boxer’s punches like nothing!
10. CLETO REYES Speed Bag
*Details last updated on 2023-05-30
Rounding off this list is the CLETO REYES Speed Bag, which is one of the best speed bags you could want for your home gym.
It’s made of real leather and nylon to keep it lasting through untold rounds of punching.
It comes in three sizes:
- Extra Small
- Small
- Medium.
It’s available in three colors too:
- Black
- Red
- “Mexican” (green, red, and white tricolor).
This product is simple (it’s just the speed bag), but it’s resilient. Everyone, from beginners to pros, loves this bag for its agility, durability, and handling.
In Conclusion
We have given you ten of the best speed bags on the market. Now that you have all the facts, you can decide which one is best for you.
Best Speed Bags Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I install a speed bag at home?
Of course! You will need to invest in the bag itself and also any mounting attachments if required. If you have more room available, go with a freestanding bag which allows for more versatile training.
How often will I need to inflate my speed bag?
This will depend on a number of things such as how often you use it, how hard you punch and what it is made out of. Latex bladders tend to let air escape quicker so keep this in mind when determining how often the check your speed bags inflation.
Do speed bags increase speed?
Speed bags will increase your speed when used effectively. The bags require you to adapt to the direction and pace of the bag which will have a positive effect on your speed all round.
How long should I hit the speed bag for?
It is a good idea to vary how often, at what speed and for how long you hit the speed bag. Split your session into sets (e.g. 5 sets of 1 minute) and measure your progress and speed as your fighting skills develop.
Do you need gloves for a speed bag?
The answer to this depends on your experience, personal preference and other gear. If you have hand wraps on and are experienced, you will be okay without gloves on whilst training on the speed bag. Beginners should start by wearing wraps and gloves on the speed bag.
How to use a speed bag?
Some people are surprised by the technique required to use a speed bag. It is not like a traditional heavy bag which you simply punch as you see fit. Instead, you need to keep the bag moving as you strike the bag time after time.
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