WHICH BAG IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Fitness trends come and go, but there’s one trend that’s been steadily on the rise for the last ten or so years: punching bag workouts. Once rare outside dojos, punching bags are now popping up in fitness gyms, in cardio kickboxing classes or even alongside treadmills and Stairmasters as open-to-everyone equipment. And with the affordability of these bags, more and more people are buying them for at-home training, too.

And it’s no wonder why! Working out with a punching bag is one of the most fun and engaging exercises out there! Whether you’re trying to gain muscle, shape and tone, or lose excess weight (check out Dustin Brown’s journey on TikTok, @LoseToGain, to see just how effective it is!), going a few rounds on a bag is the way to go.

But! Before you leap into buying a bag, there are a few things you should know. Different styles of bags are ideal for different training methods and styles. It’s important that you choose the one that’s best for you, so you can get the most out of your workout!

 

Freestanding vs. Hanging Bags

This is the first and most important distinction to make! It’s also the subject of a different blog, so click on over here  if you haven’t already read it!

 

All the Rest…

Now that that’s cleared up, let’s look at some other criteria for choosing your dream bag!

First, how do you plan on using your bag? Will you be punching and kicking? Just punching? Is ground-and-pound a priority? What about tactical training, like parrying or groin and eye strikes? Choosing a bag that doesn’t line up with your training goals can lead to frustration later down the line.

Punching

Original Wavemaster – Did you know that the Original Wavemaster was the first ever patented freestanding bag? Its popularity has kept it around for a long time, and it’s still a best-seller! It features an adjustable height, making it a great bag for growing athletes, or households with multiple users.

BOB – BOB is the original mannequin bag, made by Century, and one of the most unique and recognizable products offered by the brand. Many people prefer training with a human shape, which adds a level of target acquisition and aim to your workouts.

Brave 4.0 Heavy Bag (70 lbs.) or Teardrop Bag – Hanging bags are the classic boxing training tool! Many people use them to improve their footwork, by moving around the bag as it swings. They offer a different feel from freestanding bags.

 

A Brief Note: All these bags can be used for kicking. However, the smaller size of the striking area means that your kicking range will be limited. Take the Wavemaster, for example. A tall person would need to set the bag at its highest (68”). Unless they’re also very flexible, they won’t be able to use the same height for kicking (neither the base nor stem of any bag should be targeted in training).

The hanging bags included in the Punching list have the same problem. Because they are relatively short, hanging one high enough to punch means it may be too high for kicking. If you’re a larger and stronger person, these smaller hanging bags won’t offer the kind of resistance your kicks need. You’d be better off with a Creed or Muay Thai bag, found in the next section.

Punching and Kicking

XXL Wavemaster – Although you still can’t kick the base (never kick the base!), the XXL Wavemaster offers a larger striking surface than the original, meaning you can add kicks to your arsenal!

Torrent T1 or Torrent T2 Pro – These bags are similar to the XXL, but feature a redesigned, slimmer-profile base. The T1 is slightly shorter and more slender than the T2 Pro, which should be taken into account before buying. A petite person could use either; a larger person would be better off with the larger bag.

BOB XL – The BOB XL has a similar mannequin torso to the BOB, but extended to include ribs and upper legs. Although you still won’t be able to practice low kicks (…do I need to say it again? Don’t kick the base), you’ll retain the realism or targeting a human opponent, and the parts of BOB XL you can kick, you can kick with full force.

Muay Thai Hanging Bag – Among other things, muay Thai is renowned for its ferocious kicks. The bag bearing this martial art’s name is one of the best for kickers. This long, slender hanging bag lets you work low kicks, high kicks, and all kicks in between. Beginner beware: the muay Thai bag is also designed to help fighters toughen their shins (the area Thai fighters strike with when kicking). The lower third of these bags is very dense with sand filling, so don’t kick too hard until you’ve adapted or you’re looking at black-and-blue shins.

Creed Heavy Hanging Bag – Although the Creed Heavy Hanging Bag is shorter than the Muay Thai Bag, its size and bulk mean you can lay into it with some heavy kicks! You won’t be able to kick as low on the Creed bag, but if you don’t mind that, it might be the bag for you.

Ground-and-Pound

Versys VS.1 – The VS.1 is a simple, slender bag great for light cardio training as well as ground and pound. Handles around the top and base also let you work in weightlifting! It’s a well-rounded bag for fitness enthusiasts.

Versys VS.2 – The hooked arms of this bag make it great for judo and jiu-jitsu practitioners to grab and throw.

A Brief Note: These bags are great for what they’re intended for – that is, training that includes or even consists of throwing and grappling. But because they’re designed to be taken to the ground, they lack the hard plastic base, and therefore the weight, of other freestanding bags. In other words: they’re not difficult to topple with a hard kick. Don’t buy a bag designed to go to the ground, if you don’t want it to go to the ground.