If the punch bags look a little bit intimidating at the gym, but you're keen to practise your boxing technique, then getting one of the best punch bags for your home could be an ideal set-up. Of course, you need to make sure you have the extra space to hang a punch bag with a wall bracket or place a punch bag with a stand, but it's well worth it to get a few rounds in before you start work or need to let off steam after a particularly stressful day. So, grab your gym towel and let's go!
Although boxing is a contact sport, when it comes to practising, if you don't have a sparring partner or a personal trainer, a punching bag is the next best thing. You can hone your jab and hook technique and learn how to keep light on those toes. Just like the greatest of all time Muhammad Ali's famous saying goes, "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The hands can't hit what the eyes can't see."
The best punch bags at a glance:
• Best punch bag for with accessories: RDX 4ft Punchbag with Gloves, Chains and Bracket - View on Amazon
• Best free-standing punch bag: Gallant 5.5ft Free Standing Boxing Punch Bag - View on Amazon
• Best overall punch bag: Everlast Nevatear Heavy Punch Bag - View on Argos
Punching bag boxing isn't just something for wannabe heavyweight champions. Using a punch bag offers an intense cardio workout by combining aerobic exercise with strength training, which benefits everyone. Its high-energy activity engages multiple muscle groups, promoting cardiovascular health while enhancing endurance and coordination. The repetitive punching and movement routines elevate heart rate, burning calories and improving overall fitness. It's an efficient way to relieve stress, build upper body strength, and improve hand-eye coordination, making punch bag boxing a dynamic and effective form of cardio workout.
Whether you're starting out or looking to improve on your one-two punch, we've picked the best punch bags available to buy, as well as answered any FAQs you may have about what to fill a punch bag with, where to get a punch bag stand and what other boxing kit you need to get started.
The best punch bags to buy:
Best punch bag with accessories
If you're looking for a sturdy addition to your at-home gym kit, then this RDX punch bag will no doubt elevate your workouts. The kit includes the bag and essentials like a steel chain, bracket and bag gloves. The tethered loop facility at the base of the bag also handily works to ensure swing reduction.
Pros
- Essential accessories all-in-one
- Fit for multi-purpose workouts
- Heavy-duty zip-fastened top closure to ensure maximum fill potential
Cons
- May take two people to set up and lift the bag to the bracket
| Size: | 4ft |
| Material: | Maya Hide Leather |
| Filling: | Unknown, Pre-filled |
| Weight: | 25kg |
| Stand needed? | No, comes with chains bracket |
- Customer review: "Had the RDX 4ft punchbag for about three weeks now using almost every day. Great piece of kit for cardio workouts. Definitely recommend."
Best free-standing punch bag
A free-standing option which means you can move it around with ease, depending on if you want to workout outside or have a sheltered area to throw some kicks and punches. There are no extra nuts or bolts, but you will need sand to fill the base to make it sturdy, so keep that extra addition in mind when you purchase. We particularly like the design of the punch bag, with the number giving you a pattern to follow.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- No limitations on where it can be placed
- Built for heavy impact
Cons
- Requires sand for the base
| Size: | 5.5ft |
| Material: | Leather |
| Filling: | EPE foam |
| Weight: | 20kg |
| Stand needed? | No |
- Customer review: "I ordered the Gallant Free Standing heavy punch bag having read previous good reviews and I must say the punch bag has not disappointed. The freestanding base means you do not have to mess around with drilling holes in the ceiling. Filled the base with water and it's absolutely sturdy. I am not a very big guy at 70kgs, and the bag is perfect for me. I've only had the bag for a few days, but it appears to be well made. Definitely recommend the bag for home use."
Best punch bag for improving agility
The freestanding punch bag from Everlast comes with numbers so you can come up with your own agility routine to help improve your punches or kicks. It comes in two parts,
is easy to assemble, and according to reviews a great piece of at-home equipment when you can't get to the gym. Unlike traditional punch bags, this is a no-mess product as there is no need to drill holes to attach it while also providing more flexibility because it can be moved easily. The high-density base can be filled with sand or water to ensure a solid base while exercising, and the durable spring neck creates a quick bag rebound.
Pros
- Impressive design for the price
- Great for at-home practice
Cons
- Some users found they couldn't kick it too hard
| Size: | 5ft (base dimensions D48cm, H23cm |
| Material: | PU foam, Metal spring |
| Filling: | Base can be filled with either sand or water |
| Weight: | Unknown |
| Stand needed? | No |
- Customer review: "When the second lockdown came in, I knew I wouldn't cope with another 4 weeks away from the gym so fairly reluctantly, I bought this Everlast free standing punch bag. I needn't have worried - this item has lived up to everything it said it would do; it's robust, it gives a very good boxing workout & it's so realistic that one day when I got over-enthusiastic and punched it a little too hard, it bounced back and gave me a bloody nose! Worth every penny and one of my best buying decisions. Now the lockdown's over, I'm sticking with it; it's brilliant.”
Best overall punch bag
www.argos.co.uk
Everlast's Nevatear 4ft punch bag is perfect for practising your boxing moves away from the gym. The reinforced vinyl and synthetic leather make for a resilient and shock-absorbing material, and with no bounce-back when using gloves, it means it doesn't hurt when you hit it as long as you protect your hands.
Whether you're honing your striking skills, engaging in an intense cardio session, or simply relieving stress, the Everlast Nevatear is the reliable partner you've been looking for to help reach your training goals. It's certainly a testament to Everlast's commitment to durability, providing a robust punch bag to channel your strength and determination.
Pros
- Durable reinforced vinyl and synthetic leather
- Affordable
- Great 3ft size
Cons
- Heavy punch bag if you don't have someone else to help you lift it into place
| Size: | 4ft |
| Material: | Synthetic leather |
| Filling: | Sanitised synthetic, natural fibres |
| Weight: | 22kg |
| Stand needed? | Nylon straps are included instead |
- Tried and tested by Commercial Content Editor Natalie Corner: “I really enjoy boxing and I don’t have a gym nearby that I can get to regularly, so this Everlast punch bag is ideal for me. The four foot punch bag is just the right height as I'm 5”7 and it still has enough swing to it when I hit it and doesn't touch the ground. I bought gloves separately and already have wraps, all equipment that is definitely worth investing in if you want to get your right or left hook perfected.”
Best punch bag for kids
If your child is interested in developing their combat sports skills, then this junior punch bag that comes with gloves is an affordable starting point. You can encourage them to practise boxing, Muay Thai, as well as karate. The durable Maya Hide leather material can withstand punches and kicks, while the attached thumb support and Den-Zo Tron Grip in the gloves help improve the alignment of thumb and fist. Take note this bag is unfilled, so you will need to get filling, scroll below for tips on what to use.
Pros
- Strong material
- Good quality gloves
Cons
- Some reviewers found the hooks need squeezing tight with pliers
| Size: | 2ft (3ft including straps) |
| Material: | Maya Hide leather |
| Filling: | Unfilled |
| Weight: | 180g |
| Stand needed? | Yes, sold separately |
- Customer review: "Filled the bag initially with stuffed fluffy toys and a pillow or two and all was good. I hooked it to a wooden beam and connected the back and hardware to a hook. Kiddo loved it and went to town. He loved the gloves and they fit him very well. He is a tall and bigger 9-year-old. The gloves do get a little hot, it was mentioned. But overall my son is happy and he really spent an hour hitting the bag and using the gloves. I recommend. One note, I had to, after connecting to the hook, squeeze the hardware hook with a good set of pliers so the bag would not fly off. I think this will vary but my son was hitting it so hard some of the straps slipped off the hardware hook that was supplied."
Best UFC punch bag
The UFC MMA Heavy Punch bag is built to withstand even the most intense training sessions. Made from PVC, this punching bag is suitable for fighters of all levels and has an extended length to allow for individuals to perfect their technique. To ensure that each impact is met with absorption, the filling of recycled textile cut-off and fleece compound filling is there to protect your joints. If you're worried about the noise, the nylon hanging straps keep noise to a minimum while you work out. Because let's be honest, who wants to hear their punch bag over their music?
Pros
- PVC construction, so the punch bag is suitable for even the most intense workout
- Extended length allows for kick and take-down training
- Nylon hanging straps to keep noise down
Cons
- May be too heavy for children practicing MMA to use
| Size: | H116cm, W33cm, D33cm |
| Material: | PVC |
| Filling: | Recycled textile cut-off, Fleece compound |
| Weight: | 27kg |
- Customer review: "Very well made and heavy enough for a starting bag, if positioned right can be used to kick and punch."
Best punch bag for kickboxing
www.decathlon.co.uk
This excellent bag is designed to withstand repeated kicking and punching for a combo workout. With a high build quality and 32kg weight, this Outshock punchbag is ideal for those interested in multiple combat sports with the option to add a stand as part of a bundle from Decathlon.
Pros
- Good padding consistency
- Low rebound
Cons
- Can be low-hanging, which isn't ideal for low ceilings
| Size: | Hanging total 5ft |
| Material: | Laminated PU |
| Filling: | Recycled fabric padding |
| Weight: | 32kg |
| Stand needed? | Yes |
- Customer review: "The Outshock punch bag has good resistance and toughness, it weighs enough so that it does not rebound much in the blows, and it has a very good price."
Best punch bag stand
www.argos.co.uk
This punch bag stand from Argos does not come with the Everlast punch bag (see above sold separately), so please factor in the cost of both. The stand itself is made from heavy-duty steel and is easily assembled by following the instructions. It can hold any bag, it doesn't have to be Everlast as long as it has the correct hanging attachments, just bear in mind the hanging height is 200cm, so a 5ft punch bag with chains can be hung but will be very close to the ground.
Pros
- Sturdy frame
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Needs weights to stop movement
| Size: | H214, W175, D126cm (Total height of the stand is approx 219cm, and the hanging height is approx 200cm) |
| Material: | Heavy duty steel |
| Filling: | N/A |
| Weight: | Accommodate any heavy bag up to 100 lbs/45kg<br>*Please note this is sold without the punch bag |
- Customer review: "A good punch bag stand, but depending on the bag you buy it may hang low because the bag isn't hanging from a ceiling so bear that in mind when buying a bag for this stand. Also, you definitely need weights to place on the stand's base, the stand can hold a bag but when it's in use that's when the weights will come into play. So if you don't have any spare weights laying around buy some cheap ones."
Best value punch bag
www.decathlon.co.uk
The Outstock Adult Punching and Kicking Bag, weighing in at 20kg and featuring a stylish night blue design, is a powerful asset to those seeking an impactful and immersive training experience. The weight provides a realistic feel for martial arts training and general fitness routines. Also, the Outshock bag is designed to absorb and disperse impact effectively, minimising strain on joints.
Pros
- Made from recycled fabric padding for optimal comfort when striking
- PVC bag cover for lasting durability
- Great value
Cons
- Doesn't come with stand
| Size: | 100cm |
| Material: | Polyvinyl chloride |
| Filling: | Fabric |
| Weight: | 20kg |
- Customer review: "The Outshock Punching/Kicking Bag is a good punch bag, only had a few weeks but used daily. Seems a good product."
FAQs
What are punch bags filled with?
When it comes to shopping for a punch bag, they can come pre-filled, or you need to fill it yourself. Depending on how easy it is for you to manoeuvre into place from delivery, it would be best to get one that is already filled.
Punch bags tend to be filled with cloth rags, sawdust or sand and if it has a base, water or sand is used to weigh it down. If you opt for an empty bag, you will need to source your own filling. A soft-filled punch bag is usually recommended, so a shredded textile, like old cloth rags, towels, old clothes, pillows, or fabric strips, will provide a comfortable hitting surface as well as reduce any injuries from regular impact, but just remember it must be compacted down in layers to make sure it is consistent.
How to use a punch bag
What weight or size punch bag should I get?
This all depends on the style of training you want to do. If you’re a beginner or the punch bag is for a child, a 2ft punch bag could be a good starting point as it won’t take up a lot of space.
For adults, intermediate and advanced, and depending on the space available at home, 3ft to 6ft punch bags will be a good size. But bear in mind the size of the stand in addition to the punch bag as this could add on an extra foot for it to hang correctly and provide room for swivel and swing when you’re hitting it during boxing, kickboxing or Muay Thai workout.
The weight of your punch bag will be based on whether it is pre-filled or empty, for example, the Everlast Nevatear 3ft Heavy Punch Bag weighs 25kg and comes pre-filled. However, the RDX Kids 2ft Punch Bag is unfilled and depending on the material used to fill it can have an approximate weight between 9kg and 12kg. Always check the product information available.
Do I need any punch bag accessories?
When it comes to getting the most out of your punch bag, there are a few accessories you need to pick up.
Boxing gloves – seem fairly obvious, but make sure you get the right size for your hands and the style of boxing or exercise you do, for example, Muay Thai or kickboxing, lighter gloves would be needed. Heavy impact boxing needs a heavier ounce.
Boxing wraps - these are long strips of material worn wrapped around your hands before you place them inside the glove, they aim to protect your knuckles as well as reduce any sweat breaking down the lining of the glove.
Stand – if your punch bag isn’t free-standing, you will need to purchase a stand separately that will be able to hold the weight of the bag. If you have space like a garage or indoors, make sure to measure your surroundings.
Sand – if your freestanding punch bag moves when you hit it, you may need to fill it with sand instead of water. If you have a stand filling a bag with sand and placing it over the base can help support it and keep it in place.
Natalie Corner is the Commercial Content Editor for Bauer Media, working across brands such as What’s The Best, Yours, Mother&Baby, heat and Closer, specialising in lifestyle and fitness content.
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