So, you have decided to buy yourself a heavy bag. The problem is that there are a lot of options to choose from, so it can be very time-consuming to make a good decision. They are also not exactly cheap, so you don’t want to be rash and choose one only to find that it doesn’t suit you after all. If you are in a position to do so, we advise you to test the bags at your local gym, just to get a feel for them.
We can separate the bags according to the type of filling: water or sand filling, regular filling, and composite filling. All of these have different properties to consider, which we discuss at the end of the post in our quick buying guide.
On this list, we have included a wide variety of heavy bags. Some are more suitable for boxing, while others are great for Muai Thay or MMA. They are of various prices, but all of them have something in common: they are the best in their price range. Take a look to see which bag appeals most to you.
Outslayer Muay Thai Punching Bag
We will start this list with the best Muay Thai punching bag that you can buy. The Outslayer Muay Thai punching bag is 6 feet tall, so you can practice your hand and kick moves without any problem. This is a 130-pound heavy bag that does not require any chains whatsoever. To provide the top quality, this bag was filled only with high-quality fabric. That type of filling sets it apart as a unique product that will put less strain on your joints as you hit it. It has vinyl construction that will hold up for well over 10 years.
This bag is aimed at professionals who are prepared to leave everything in the ring. You can choose between the following colors: black, black/white, red, yellow, and black/yellow. This punching bag is yours for around $180.
Be sure to wear the best some of the best gym shoes from our list for good support.
RDX G-Core Maya Hide Leather Punching Bag
Next, we have a bestseller made by RDX. The G-Core Maya is an unfilled leathered punching bag that comes with steel chains and pro gloves. Keeping the filling out and including gloves makes it a very affordable starter kit. Once you get it home, you can fill it with sand, water, or fabric.
The durable Zippex top closure guarantees maximum fill potential. The G-Core Maya can also be used outdoors as it is waterproof. It features a twinned layer that is virtually untearable and produces ideal resistance. A TLF design is used, so the bag has excellent stability. You can choose between 4-foot and 5-foot sizes as well as various colors. It is priced at around $70.
Everlast 70-Pound MMA Punching Bag
Everlast is probably the best-known name in the world of boxing and martial arts. Their products are the epitome of quality and professionalism. Here, we have their 70-pound bag for MMA. It is made out of poly canvas, which is a high-quality synthetic material that guarantees that your bag will last you a very long time.
Inside it, you will find a specially blended combination of natural and synthetic fibers that will provide you with great shock absorption. The nylon straps bring safety to another level. The bag’s dimensions are 53 inches in height and 13.5 inches in diameter. All in all, this bag is a nice combination of quality and affordable price. It sells for about $75.
BOB Century XL Punching Bag with Base Unit
This is a realistic-looking punching bag most suited for learning self-defense. With it, you will work both your upper and lower body. Bob’s height can be adjusted from 60 to 82 inches, which is quite convenient as you can easily switch from practicing kicking to punching. This punching bag is of lifelike dimensions and will let you practice your precision like no other. This is an XL model with excellent stability that can withstand any punch without moving.
The base can be filled with 270 pounds of water or sand. When you want to move it, just flip it on one side and roll it around. Its durability is ensured with high-strength foam-filled plastisol that is easy on your joints while still providing a satisfying impact. Overall, this is a great model for your home gym or a self-defense class, like krav maga.
The BOB Century is fairly expensive, though, so check around for prices.
Outslayer Punching Bag
Here we have another model from Outslayer, a company that focuses exclusively on producing high-quality punching bags. This bag weighs 100 pounds and will suit you for boxing and martial arts. It is 55 inches tall (12 inches additional with straps). The bag is very durable, and the quality of the material is amazing. With it, you will also get a 10-year warranty, which is phenomenal for a punching bag.
It comes filled with sand and is quite dense, so you might want to remove a little before you hang it. You can also purchase an 80-pound model to make it a little lighter. Along with the choice of weight, you also have the option to choose your color or a combination of two colors. It comes in black, red, yellow, green, light or dark blue, orange, pink, purple, brown, beige, and gray.
Whichever you choose, the bottom line is that you cannot go wrong with Outslayer. The price you pay for this filled bag is fairly high, though, at around $300.
RDX Boxing Set
With this model, RDX will give you additional accessories that will prove useful in your quest for greater fitness. Aside from the fabric-filled punching bag, you will also get ceiling hook, steel chains, hand wraps, a swivel, a jump rope, and boxing gloves, to name a few of the included items.
The bag weighs 60 pounds and is 5 feet long. It packs a solid amount of resistance. It is made out of heavy-duty textile that is double stitched, which gives you great durability. Shredded textiles provide great shock absorption, and the bag itself is also completely waterproof. This is an excellent starting kit if you are just getting into the world of boxing. You can get everything for close to $80.
Everlast HydroStrike Water Bag
And now for something a little bit different. The HydroStrike is a 100-pound water bag made by Everlast. This is a new generation of a heavy bag, which is great for boxing. It will improve your strength, core stability, punching power, and agility in no time, without being too hard on your knuckles or joints. The bag features hydro strike technology, which increases the absorption of your strikes while protecting your joints. It is light, easily portable, and assembles in minutes. It is yours for a price of $100.
Ready to take your training to the next level?
Bad Boy Blue Aqua Punching Bag
The Bad Boy Blue is another great water punching bag. For quick filling, you get a garden hose nozzle and stoppers. It is great for both beginners and experienced boxers. The water provides enough weight to train with while not being too hard on your wrist.
The special design means it can easily be used both outdoors and indoors. The outer layer is made out of flexible and durable material that feels like a human body when you hit it. The bag is available in 18-inch and 20-inch diameter sizes. When filled with water, they will weigh 120 and 190 pounds, respectively. It is yours for $150 or $180.
Contender Fight Sports Punching Bag
Contender Fight Sports is a company that is well-known for its high-quality products. Here, we have their filled leather boxing bag. It features dense foam padding, which absorbs strikes pretty effectively while providing a lower chance of injury to your hand or wrist. You can choose between 3 models: 70 pounds, 100 pounds (14 inches x 42 inches), and 150 pounds (16 inches x 48 inches). The chain and swivel are included. This is a very durable model that comes at an affordable price of $110-190 depending on the size.
Ringside 100-Pound Muay Thai Punching Bag
Here we have a premium-quality unfilled 100-pound Muay Thai heavy bag. When filled up, the dimensions are 13 inches x 72 inches, which is more than enough to provide a total body workout. It also offers great stability with minimal swinging. To protect from hand injuries, the bag is filled with 1-inch cell foam liner. A swivel and heavy-duty chain are also included, and this Ringside bag features a D-ring on the bottom. It is yours for less than $130, which is simply ridiculous.
Ringside Leather 100-Pound Punching Bag
Ringside strikes again with another 100-pound heavy bag, this one for boxing. Its high-quality material is equally suitable for amateur and professional boxers. It is foam-filled for safer impacts with dimensions of 14 x 42 inches. A D-ring is placed on the bottom, which makes things a bit easier. Both swivel and bag chain are included. The bag is available in red and black colors for a price of around $170. This leather bag will make you ready to get into that ring!
Pro Impact Durahide Speedbag
Next, we have a black speedbag made by Pro Impact. The Durahide punching bag is aimed at boxers who want to take it to the next level. It is made out of synthetic leather that will last you a long time. It will take many beatings without ever losing its shape, and the seams are triple stitched, which makes this a high-quality product.
The bag also comes with a rubber bladder that can be easily removed. Speedbags are a great way to level up your strength and stamina. Working out with the Durahide will sharpen your reflexes and greatly improve hand-eye coordination. You can choose between 3 sizes: X-Small (5 x 7 inches), Small (6 x 9 inches), and Medium (7 x 10 inches). The Medium bag is best for beginners; the Small size is for intermediate boxers; and the X-Small is for pro boxers.
This bestseller can be yours for $30.
Everlast Omni Strike Punching Bag
The Omni Strike is an interesting designed heavy bag that comes from Everlast. On the bottom side, it has C3 foam, which is great for ground and pound and low kicks. It also features handles, so you can do knee strikes with great efficiency. Its durability is guaranteed thanks to the premium synthetic leather. The nylon straps are also of high-quality and will make you feel safe and secure. There is also an outer-shell to provide an additional layer of impact absorption.
This is an amazing bag for anyone who is interested in boxing or MMA. It’s also very affordable at around $90.
Best Choice Products Punching Bag
Here we have a heavy punching bag made by Best Choice Products. This is a 52-pound bag with dimensions of 12 x 32 inches. With it, you will also get a wall mount, which makes this model ideal for home use. The maximum weight for the mount is 264 pounds. The bag features a durable EPE cover and is stuffed with iron sand, which is not the best material to use, but it will suffice. This is a solid choice if you want to start training at home and save yourself some time and money. It’s available for around $75.
Everlast Everhide Speed Bag
The Everhide is another product made by Everlast. This is a lightweight boxing speed bag. It features a high-quality carbon fibered construction. It is precisely balanced and shaped to provide you with accurate rebounds.
This is a medium-sized (9 x 6 inches) speed bag that is great for beginner and intermediate boxers. It is yours for less than $20.
Heavy Duty Pro Punching Bag
The Heavy Duty Pro is a boxing gloves and bag combo made by Last Punch. The punching bag is unfilled, but it comes with chains. Choose to fill it with your own choice of material. It is 41 inches long (54 inches with chains) and 17 inches wide. The glove size is 16 ounces. This is a budget product ($40) that is not of the best quality but will suffice for kid training. Just make sure that they wear the gloves.
Last Punch Heavy-Duty Punch Bag
Next, we have a punching bag made by Last Punch. It comes unfilled, which will save you some money. The bag is 33 inches long (50 inches with chains) and 18 inches wide. This is a high-quality, heavy-duty punching bag ideal for boxing practice. It is the least expensive bag on our list and will be yours for $28. Fill it with sand, water, or fabric to create your own level of resistance.
Dripex Adult & Kids Freestanding Punching Bag
Dripex makes the list with a freestanding punching back. It stands 69 inches tall and is ideal for adults and teens. The bag features four springs and dual TPU absorbers that work together to provide full noise and shock absorption. The ABS base tank provides great stability and is easy to roll for portability. Beneath it, there are 12 suction cups that hold it pretty tight. You can also fill it with sand for more stability.
You can choose between 2 sizes: 69 inches and 47 inches. This is a great model for boxing and kickboxing. It comes for a price of a little less than $140.
Ringside Youth 40-Pound Heavy Bag Kit
If you are a beginner, you might be interested in this boxing kit made by Ringside. For a price of $60, you will get the 40-pound composite-filled heavy bag, a pair of gloves, and 120-inch hand wraps. This model is aimed at kids up to 13 years old, so let your youngster practice beside you! This is a great starting kit for a future champion.
Bonus: MD Sports Heavy-Duty Kickboxing Inflatable Punching Bag
MD Sports offers an interesting inflatable punching bag. It provides an interactive game experience and even has some sound effects. You can choose between 3 game modes: training, knock out, and speed bag. Your score will be shown on a small LCD screen, so competitiveness ensues. There are 6 targets that will light up if you hit them just right. The base is double-lined to prevent leaks, and it is advised that you fill it with sand or water for additional stability.
This is an interesting idea that is executed pretty well. It makes for a great way to introduce your kids to boxing and kickboxing. Pick it up for $20.
Types of Punching Bags
So, what kind of filling appeals to you? Here are some things to keep in mind.
Filled. If you want your bag to be ready on the go, you need to make sure that they are filled before shipping. Of course, it comes down to the question: Do you want to save some money on the shipment or is time more important to you? But, that is not all. Pre-filled bags have a standardized weight, which may not suit you.
Composite filling. Pre-filled bags usually contain only one type of material, but some of the premium ones are filled with a blend of materials. The advantage of a composite filled bag is that it provides a unique reaction when you hit it. Furthermore, the content of the bag will not settle easily, which ultimately gives the bag greater durability. We would recommend that you look for this kind of filling in your punching bag.
Water or sand filling. Lastly, there are a few models on the list above that can be filled with water or sand. They will protect your joints a little better as they provide greater shock absorption. These bags are great for home use as they do not take up as much space and can be set up in a matter of minutes.
Unfilled. There are also a few high-quality unfilled bags on the list. These kinds of bags are less expensive to purchase as you need to put in your own material once you receive it. The plus is that they are more customizable. But beware; there is a risk that this kind of bag will be too light for serious users. Still, they’re worth considering if you are a bit low on the money for a filled bag.
How to Care for a Genuine Leather Bag
If you want to keep your punching bag sterile and durable, the bag needs to be wiped down after every practice. You should also clean it with a leather cleaner every 2-3 months. After that, you can condition it with leather conditioner to make sure that leather will stay moist and prevent cracking. This process will make sure that your bag reaches its full lifespan.
How to Mount a Heavy Bag
Most models are mounted through an eye bolt that is set into an overhead rafter or into the ceiling. The eye bolt is suspended from chains so that the force of your strikes doesn’t dislodge the bag from the hook.
Are Gloves Needed?
Yes, gloves are strongly recommended. Punching bags are usually very dense, so hitting them with bare knuckles can cause you some serious damage. Wrist and hand injuries can happen even if you are not hitting the bag with your full force. Aside protection, MMA gloves let you hit much harder as they compress your hand.
What About Hand Wraps?
Hand wraps may prove useful for more experienced users, but they are not ideal. You can still hurt yourself pretty easily with just a little mistake. To ensure your safety, we recommend using gloves.
Starting Gloves
Some of the punching bags we recommended above come with additional content, such as wrist wraps or boxing gloves. This is a great option if you are a beginner and haven’t yet bought any gear or don’t even know what will suit you. These packages will save you some trouble getting started and are very affordable.
Warranties
As you could probably guess, warranties are sort of rare in the world of sporting equipment. However, there are a few companies on this list that dare to change that. They provide warranties on their bags of usually 2 years as long as you stay within reasonable conditions.