Compare Brands Like Everlast & Other Top Names
When it comes to heavy punching bags and stands, Everlast is undoubtedly one of the top names out there. As a company, they’ve been crafting high-quality boxing and MMA gear for over 100 years. But don’t think you have to limit yourself to just Everlast when shopping for a heavy bag setup. There are plenty of other reputable brands to consider as well.
Ringside is another well-known brand that produces durable punching bags and stands across a wide range of sizes and styles. Their heavy bags are made with synthetic leather or vinyl for striking resilience. Ringside stands feature triangular bases and powder coated steel frames for maximum stability. This brand is a great Everlast alternative to research.
Other top contenders include Title Boxing, MaxxMMA, Outslayer, and Century Martial Arts. Each company offers their own unique take on freestanding heavy bags. Doing your homework on the different brand options will pay dividends when determining the right heavy bag and stand combo for your personal needs and budget.
Check Bag Weight – 70, 80, 100 Lbs+ For Power
When researching different heavy bag brands and models, one of the most important factors to consider is the bag’s weight. Heavier bags are ideal for advanced strikers who want to deliver maximum force with their punches and kicks.
Bags that weigh 70-80 lbs are a popular choice for most beginners and intermediate users. They offer enough resistance for solid training, without being overly taxing on your hits. Stepping up to a 100+ lb bag brings the challenge to another level.
The more the bag weighs, the more momentum and power you can generate with your strikes. Just make sure the bag mount and stand you choose can safely support heavier weights before going all out. Proper technique is also key, to avoid injury on these harder bags.
Get Adjustable Height Stand For Convenience
Having a freestanding heavy bag is awesome for training versatility. But not all stands are created equal when it comes to adjustability. The more flexible the height adjustments, the better.
Look for a heavy bag stand that offers a wide range of height settings. This lets you customize the bag positioning to suit different users and techniques. For example, you can raise the bag up for practicing head strikes. Or lower it down for body blows or kickboxing work.
Quick-release adjustment mechanisms are also very convenient. You don’t want to waste time fiddling with complicated height settings between rounds. The easier it is to fine-tune the height, the better your training flow.
Look For Durable Materials Like Leather & Steel
Heavy duty construction is a must for any freestanding punching bag setup. The bag itself will be subjected to endless abuse from strikes, while the stand has to withstand massive forces.
For the bag, look for durable hide leather or vinyl coverings. Multiple interior layers of shock-absorbing foam are also ideal. This prevents your knuckles and wrists from being jammed on impact.
On the stand, powder coated steel frames provide awesome durability and resist rusting. Thick gauge tubing over 1″ diameter gives better stability too. Small details like metal chains and swivels increase the setup’s long-term durability.
See If Base Fills With Sand For Stability
The base on your heavy bag stand plays a huge role in keeping the entire setup stable while you’re training. Bigger bases provide more inertia to prevent tipping.
Many freestanding bag stands feature built-in compartments in the base that can be filled with sand or water. This extra weight lowers the center of gravity dramatically for awesome planted stability.
Filling the base isn’t always required, but it does make a noticeable difference. Some bases can hold over 200 lbs of sand! Just be prepared to enlist help moving the stand once filled.
Make Sure Bag Has Strong Chains & Swivel
It’s easy to focus solely on the punching bag itself when shopping around. But don’t neglect small details like the bag mounting hardware.
Quality metal chains allow proper bag movement on every strike. Nylon straps may be cheaper but wear out faster. Swivels connect the bag to chains smoothly without twisting.
Reinforced D-rings give extra strength wherever the bag attaches. Spring clips allow fast mounting/removal too. Little touches like this increase durability and functionality.
Get Multi-Sided Bags For Varied Training
Most traditional heavy bags feature a smooth, cylindrical design. This works great for general boxing and MMA practice. But for kicking and other creative work, consider a multi-sided bag.
Hexagonal and octagonal bags provide angles to work different techniques and footwork. Wavemaster-style bags have both flat and curved surfaces to mix up your strikes.
Look for bags with accessory attachment points as well. This allows adding things like focus mitts, speed bags, and body opponent pads to one freestanding station.
Add Attachments Like Speed Bag & Platform
As mentioned, some heavy bag stands allow integrating extra accessories for a complete training setup. If you have the space, this can be a great option.
Speed bags develop timing and hand-eye coordination. Platforms let you practice uppercuts and other angle punches. Body opponent bags work defensive movements.
Consider combo stands with multiple mounting points. Or look for modular accessories that work with your existing stand. Expanding your setup brings welcome training variety.
See If Gloves & Handwraps Are Included
Quality bag gloves and handwraps are must-have items for any striking training. Luckily, some heavy bag packages include these accessories right in the box.
Starter sets with bag gloves, wraps, and maybe even shin guards help kickstart your regimen. Everlast, Ringside, and other top brands offer excellent all-in-one packages.
Getting a full training kit means less shopping around. Just make sure included gloves fit comfortably with decent wrist support. Wraps should be long enough for full hand protection too.
Look For Warranty Coverage On Parts
It’s frustrating when key components like chains, swivels, or bag mounts break prematurely. This leads to downtime and replacement costs. So check warranty terms upfront.
Many top brands provide at least 12 months of coverage on manufacturing defects. Some extend limited lifetime warranties on certain parts like steel frames and hardware.
Warranties show the company stands behind their product quality. Look for at least 1-2 years of included coverage for best protection.
Read Reviews On Assembly Difficulty
One of the “joys” of punching bag stands is getting through the initial assembly. Fortunately, many designs today go together easily and intuitively.
Reading buyer reviews provides insight on assembly time and complexity for any stand you’re considering. Clear instructions and labeled parts also help minimize frustration.
Ideally, you want a stand that assembles in under 1 hour with average DIY skills. Anything longer tends to test people’s patience. Pay attention to reviews before purchasing.
Research Shipping Costs & Delivery Times
Between the bag, stand, and hardware, freestanding punching bag setups have some heft. Make sure you understand shipping fees and delivery estimates before buying.
Many retailers offer free shipping on heavy bags and stands. But read the fine print for weight limits and delivery exclusions. Curbside drop-off may require extra fees too.
Also factor estimated shipping times into your purchase plans. Allow 2-4 weeks for delivery if your setup is backordered before an event or big training day.
Compare Prices Online & Local Stores
Heavy bag stands range widely in price based on size, materials, brand name, and features. To get the best deal, take time to comparison shop.
Weigh options and pricing from online retailers like Amazon, Dick’s, and Walmart. Check club stores like Costco for deals too. Local sporting goods shops may match prices or offer extras like assembly.
Set a firm budget beforehand and try to score discounts where possible. With some diligence, you can find an awesome heavy bag setup deal.
Consider Space Needed For Installation
Before pulling the trigger on any freestanding punching bag setup, think about the space requirements. You don’t want to assemble it only to find it doesn’t fit right.
Factor in ceiling height clearance for the bag hanging position and arm reach. Make sure the base footprint fits nicely without blocking room flow or walking paths.
Leave adequate space around the bag as well for training movement and striking angles. Measure twice to ensure your stand/bag combo fits great in the intended spot.
Ask About Sales, Deals & Promotions
The right sale or deal can help you score major savings on your heavy bag & stand purchase. So don’t be shy about hunting for current promotions.
Ask sales reps if any ongoing sales or discounts apply to punching bag packages. Sign up for retailer newsletters for coupon alerts too.
Consider bundles that include bags, gloves, and accessories for added value. With some smart shopping, you can outfit your home gym on a budget.
Check Bag Weight – 70, 80, 100 Lbs+ For Power
Selecting the right heavy bag weight depends on your personal fitness level, training goals, and experience. Heavier bags in the 70-100+ lb range offer serious resistance for advanced strikers. Lighter 50-70 lb bags are great for beginners working on technique and stamina. So how do you choose what’s right for you?
If you’re totally new to punching and kicking, start with a 50-60 lb bag to build a foundation. Gradually move up in 10 lb increments as your skills improve. Jumping straight to a 100 lb sack can fatigue your body and increase injury risk if you’re not prepared.
On the flip side, seasoned fighters may feel like lighter bags don’t provide enough of a challenge. Aim for at least 70-80 lbs once you have experience. This gives satisfying feedback on strikes without tiring you out too quickly.
Bottom line – the ideal heavy bag weight challenges you without compromising form. Listen to your body’s feedback as you train. If a bag feels too light or taxing, adjust up or down until you find the sweet spot.
Start Light For Proper Technique
Developing proper striking technique should always be the top priority, especially for beginners first learning martial arts or boxing. Light bags in the 50-60 lb range are ideal for dialing in form.
You can throw punches and kicks in smooth, controlled motions without overexerting yourself. Lighter resistance helps you identify and fix flaws in hip rotation, footwork, and arm positioning.
Once your technique feels solid, you can gradually add more power. But start by nailing down the basics before moving to heavier bags that can reinforce bad habits.
Increase Weight For More Intensity
After honing your punching and kicking skills on lighter bags, ramp up the challenge with 70-100 lb models. The increased weight forces you to put full power into strikes.
Throwing solid combos on a heavy bag builds explosive strength in shoulders, core and legs. You’ll also improve contact force for better carryover into sparring.
Just remember to wrap hands and use proper bag gloves. Striking bare-knuckle on dense heavy bags is a fast track to injury.
Adjust For Your Experience Level
Let your current skill and fitness level guide which bag weight makes sense to start with. Here are some general recommendations:
- Beginner – 50-60 lbs
- Intermediate – 60-70 lbs
- Advanced – 70-100+ lbs
These are just rough estimates. You may find you need to tweak up or down 5-10 lbs to find the right challenge. Listen to your body and adjust the weight as needed over time.
Consider Weight Ratios For Pros
For competitive boxers and fighters, there are more precise formulas for selecting heavy bag weight based on your own body size.
A common guideline is to use a bag that’s 50% of your body weight. So a 150 lb person would use around a 75 lb bag. This scales up the resistance proportionately.
Some coaches recommend 25-30% body weight for females who tend to have less upper body mass. Just remember these are general rules of thumb.
Add Or Subtract Fill For Adjustment
One cool advantage of leather heavy bags is the ability to customize weight by adding or removing fill material.
If your current bag feels too light, open the outer seams and add rags, fabric scraps, or other fill to add density. Just be sure to reseal it securely.
You can also remove fill to lighten the bag if needed. This lets you modify weight without buying new gear.
Synthetic vinyl and plastic bags won’t offer this adjustment flexibility. But leather bags provide creative weight tuning.
Train Power And Form With Ladders
For the ultimate heavy bag challenge, use weight ladders in your training.
Start with lighter 50-60 lb technique work, then progressively move up to 80, 100 lb bags focusing on power. Then dial it back down again to refine form.
Ladders build both attributes across a range of weights. Just be sure to properly re-wrap your hands and give muscles adequate rest between weight changes.
This tests both muscular endurance and finesse at specific resistances. Add ladders to your regular bag training routine for massive benefits.
Choosing the optimal heavy bag weight may take some experimentation. But with some smart training, you’ll be punching and kicking your way to new heights in no time!