The Best Free Standing punch bags for Boxing and MMA

One of the best things about boxing is that it can be taught alone in isolation. By this, we mean that shadow boxing can really improve your technique if done correctly. Although training with partners is always preferable, there’s a lot to be said for training on your own as well.

Because of this, a lot of boxing and MMA fighters will often turn to using free standing punch bags which can be very effective in terms of learning. There are several benefits that a free standing punch bag can bring which are:

Benefits of using a punching bag

Speed

The more you punch, the quicker you get. If you’ve ever gone into a boxing gym then you’ll see boxers doing rapid-fire punches on bags to improve the speed of both their hands and arms. Even if you don’t take much of a scientific approach to upping your punching speed, the good thing is that you will naturally get quicker anyway. For obvious reasons, quick hands are very useful during fights and can be the difference between winning and losing

Power

Alongside speed comes power. In fact, the two go hand in hand. By generating quick, speedy punches you should also become more powerful as a result. Again, this is something that will come naturally the more time you spend on the bag. Whilst speed is useful and can sneak through shots, power is arguably more important. The reason for this is that power can easily knock out opponents which is what boxing is all about.

Technique

Another important part of boxing is developing your punching technique. On the face of it, punching looks fairly simplistic. However, there’s a reason why it’s called the sweet science. In short, technique can be defined as using certain movements and nuances to improve the power and speed of your punches. One example of this could be pivoting on your toes and moving your hips to gain more power.

Alternatively, it could mean turning your fist at an angle as the punch lands. Although these techniques may look subtle, they can create a massive difference. By watching tape or applying moves learned in the gym – you can easily put these skills to practice on the bag.

Cardio efficient movements

Undoubtedly, cardio is a massive part of boxing. If your cardio is good then you will be able to perform better for longer. If you gas quickly then no matter how good or technical you are, you will lose. So, one of the best things a punching bag offers is the ability to improve your cardio. This means moving around and really working the bag. Obviously, if you just stand still and throw lazy punches then you won’t work up a sweat. However, if you really put a lot of movement into it then it will improve your cardio.

What is the difference between free standing punch bags and hanging punch bags?

So, if anyone ever doubts that using a punch bag isn’t optimal, then they’re wrong and even some of boxing’s greats such as Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather have often spoken about the benefits of using punch bags.

This brings us to our next point, whether free standing punch bags are better or worse than hanging punch bags. Ultimately, this is down to personal choice as both have their own positives and negatives. For example, generally hanging punch bags have to be stored in the same area and need strong reinforcements to stop them from falling.

Whilst these are great for gyms and serious practitioners, they’re arguably less practical than a free standing punch bag which is easier to store, move and set up. To summarize, both are fine but the hanging bag is slightly more desirable for the average boxer.

When it comes to free standing punch bags, you can also get thick, circular bags that are one, long target or bags that have thin poles with smaller targets. Sometimes, you can also find bags that have moving targets or bars that move to add another dimension to training. These styles all depend on what you’re into.

How do you fill a punching bag?

Typically, a punch bag is filled with sand or water. In some cases, you can fill them up with old rags or clothes, but this is time-consuming and may not generate enough weight for the bag to be optimal. Speaking of which, most people will opt for using sand instead of water. You can usually buy sand from a gardening or DIY shop.

The reason for this is that sand is easier to fill and weighs more, whilst it also won’t leak. Obviously, you shouldn’t be worried about leakage with a good quality bag – but this can and will happen with cheaper, older bags that are worn. To summarize, most people believe sand is the best choice to fill a bag with.

Which martial arts use punch bags?

Literally, every martial art that uses striking can use punch bags. The most obvious examples of this include boxing and MMA which have both used punching bags for years. Then you have other disciplines such as Muay Thai, TKD, kickboxing, Karate, and much more.

In fact, the only martial arts that don’t use punch bags are those that don’t throw strikes. So, if you practice Judo or BJJ then a punch bag isn’t required. For everyone else though, they make a good supplement to your training and are a convenient workout.

We should also note that when it comes to free standing punch bags, there’s a lot of difference between models. Some are very basic whereas others have lots of functions and are more complex. Again, it’s down to personal choice regarding what you’re after. With this said, here’s a list of the best free standing punch bags for boxing and MMA.

Things to consider when buying a punching bag

When buying a punch bag, it’s important to make sure you get the right bag for you. This means there are a few things to consider when getting an ideal bag. For example, some bags can be filled with water, whereas others will require sand. Realistically, this means you’ll need to spend extra money on sand if you go down the sand route. Arguably, this is more sturdy and can add more weight to the base.

Another thing to keep in mind is how easy it is to move and transport your punching bag. If it can be built, moved, and re-assembled in minutes then this is very practical. If it takes hours to do then obviously this could become a problem. Ultimately, it’s up to your own requirements and needs.

Lastly, you should make also get the best shaped bag for you. Some bags are tear drop shaped, some have adjustable poles, others are cylinder shaped. Aside from this, height is also an important factor. Depending on your style and what you’re comfortable with, these are all different things you may wish to consider.

Everlast Power Core bag

If you know a thing or two about boxing, then you’ll know the name Everlast. This bag is 54″ to 65″ tall so can be used by all and should be filled with either sand or water. Furthermore, it uses a solid base which means it won’t topple over, despite how hard you hit it. It’s also made from foam which means you can hit hard without damaging your hands, whilst still feeling realistic.

Perhaps the biggest positive of the Power Core bag is its durability. Unlike some bags, this is built to last and won’t let you down. Too often, punching bags fall apart after a while whereas this one will stand the test of time. Another key feature of this bag is the price. This is competitive and affordable for all which makes it a winner as far as we’re concerned.

Amber Rapid-Reflex Boxing Bar 2 in 1

As the title suggests, this is a 2 in 1 punching bag which is awesome for improving your reflexes. As you can see on the picture, this has a large target at the top of the pole, as well as a smaller target lower down that doubles as a spinning bar. This means that you work offense and defense at the same time which is more realistic than a standard punch bag.

Too often, fighters think they’re great by generating power whilst simultaneously being open to counters when throwing strikes. Due to the spinning bar, this will literally keep you on your toes as you work your punches or kicks, bringing dodges into play as well as other techniques. This is 60” to 78” high and its base can be filled with 250 pounds of water or sand. Due to the quality spring, this won’t overly bend either. Overall, you get what you pay for with this punch bag.

Century Wavemaster Punching bag

Another quality brand that makes punch bags is Century and this is another sturdy punch bag. Its measurements are 47 x 25 x 25 inches and as it’s made in the USA – you know the quality will be to a decent standard. Because of this, it will last you years so it’s well worth the money.

One thing worth noting though is due to its size, it’s quite large and will need a decent place to store it in. With this said, the Century Wavemaster is probably best suited for advanced practitioners rather than newcomers to boxing or MMA. Still, for everyone else it’s a reliable addition and won’t let you down.

Fitven Free Standing Punching bag

When it comes to punch bags, the Fitven is arguably one of the most advanced out there in terms of design. This is because its base is fitted with four shock absorbers which means it’s not only sturdy but also reduces noise. If you’ve been consigned to boxing in the garage due to the noise then fear not, this bag will not let you down!

Its base is also fitted with shock absorbers on the bottom so you don’t have to worry about it falling – whilst it also comes with a pair of boxing gloves which are a nice touch. Obviously, these aren’t the best gloves in the world but compared to certain other brands out there, they’re actually pretty good and you could do a lot worse. Overall, this well priced and a well designed product that is useful for boxers of all abilities.

Rorala Punching bag

Competitively priced, the Rorala punch bag is made from four layers and has a reinforced base, so it’s not just going to fall apart after a few weeks. In short, it does what you’d expect and is reliable enough. Another perk of this bag is that it’s also very easy to assemble, even if you’re bad with instructions.

Plus, its suction cups on the bottom mean that the base won’t move, no matter how hard you hit. In general, it’s a solid pick and is suitable for boxers of all levels. Like other bags on this list, it also comes with free gloves which is a nice touch.

Happybuy Boxing Speed Trainer, Punching bag

This bag has a faux leather bag at the top, spinning bar, and lower leather punch bag towards the middle of the pole. This means, you effectively have two targets whilst the spinning bar adds in a defensive element of training too. The point of this is to improve your footwork, combos, and head movement which can be neglected if using a conventional punching bag.

The beauty of this is that in turn, it will improve your cardio and reaction times which is great for all martial arts. The dimensions of this bag are 33 x 18 x 16 inches whilst it also comes with boxing gloves and uses water and sand to fill the base. Weighing just over 30 pounds, this bag isn’t too large or clunky either which is useful for those who are short on space.

Dprodo Adjustable Speed Reflex Training bag (budget option)

For those on a budget, the Dprodo free standing bag is a solid option. Priced at under $70, it also comes free with boxing gloves which means you’ll save a little extra when buying this. However, even without the gloves, it’s easily the cheapest on the market.

This means you’d be right to assume about the quality – and whilst it’s understandably not the best on the market, it’s surprisingly pretty decent. For instance, it uses three layers of leather for protection. The Dprodo uses an adjustable iron bar that can go from 49″ to 56″ in length and has a leather punch bag on the top.

Obviously, this isn’t a long bag and is a much smaller target, which means it’s best used for precision striking. It also uses sand or water, as well as a spring at the bottom to make it flexible. Arguably, this bag is best for beginners but seriously, the price isn’t bad considering what it is.