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Top 10 Best Punching Bag For Beginners
When you think of combat sports, some of the equipment that first comes to mind are punching bags.
You see them when shopping online, or pass the ones hanging in a gym, but more than likely, you’ve been struck at some point by a simple question: what type of punching bag should a beginner get?
Punching bags come in different shapes, heights, and weights, so it’s a given that those just starting out may get confused as to which ones are more entry-level user-friendly.
You can take a breath now as we’ve done some research into various bags to help you figure out which is the best punching bag for beginners.
At a Glance: Best Punching Bag For Beginners
The Century Aerobic Wavemaster has four height adjustments that range from 53.5 in. to 65.5 in. Able to be filled with sand or water, it can weigh about 170lbs, and it features a low-profile, rounded base for easy relocation.
The Everlast 70lb MMA Poly Canvas Heavy Bag uses premium synthetic leather with reinforced webbing. It has a double end attachment for greater resistance, and it has an adjustable chain to accommodate various users.
Century BOB Body Opponent Training Bag has seven height adjustments from 60 in. to 78 in., and when filled with sand or water, it can weigh a total of 270lbs. It’s an ideal stand-in for a living opponent.
Century Wavemaster XXL Training Bag can weigh up to 270lbs from either sand or water, and it features high-density foam filling and a durable vinyl cover.
The TITLE Double End Bag has an all-leather shell with triple nylon stitching and is ideal for reflex training.
The Kid Kick Wavemaster works for younger users who are eager to kick-start their training. It can weigh up to 170lbs when filled with water or sand, and it has four height adjustments from 37 in. to 52 in.
Outslayer Filled Punching Bag for Boxing and MMA, 80lb has a full capacity of 300lbs so that you can add on as you wish. It’s filled with only a special fabric blend so that it eliminates the chance of developing hard or empty spots.
The Velocity Boxing Children’s Pro Freestanding Reflex Punching Bag can help introduce children to better fitness by improving coordination and endurance. It can be filled with sand or water to about 50lbs, and it’s adjustable from 47 in. to 57 in.
Century The Original Wavemaster Freestanding Training Bag has seven height adjustments from 47 in. to 68 in., and can weigh up to about 250lbs with sand or water. It gives both resistance and rebound.
Everlast Omni Strike Heavy 80lb Bag has a C3 foam wrapped bottom panel for ground and pound or low kicks. It has knee strike handles to help simulate additional training.
Reviews of The Best Punching Bag for Beginners
Century Aerobic Wavemaster
This simple freestanding bag can be filled up to around 170lbs with either sand or water. There are four height adjustments ranging from 53.5 in. to 65.5 in.
The base is low-profile, and the bag is high-density foam covered in a poly-shell.
Whether you’re into martial arts, kickboxing, boxing, etc., you can find yourself getting some decent training out of this freestanding bag.
As the name explains, it can also work well for those looking for an aerobic workout.
The bag can absorb punches and kicks well.
It works for both adults and children as the low-profile base allows kids to hit the bag without striking the base.
Things We Liked
- Low-profile base
- Four height adjustments
- High-density foam
Things We Didn’t Like
- Material is rough
- Moves easily when hit
- Can be a bit difficult to fill
Everlast 70lb MMA Poly Canvas Heavy Bag
Made from premium synthetic leather with reinforced webbing, the bag is filled with a special blend to provide shock absorption.
It has an adjustable chain to work with people at various heights and a double end attachment for resistance.
Chains are easy to hang, and at 70lbs, beginners should be able to feel adequate resistance.
It’s also light enough to be taken off the chain for ground and pound.
The canvas is rough enough to scrape skin, however, so it may be best to always wear wraps or gloves when using the bag.
Things We Liked
- Adjustable chain
- Decent resistance
- Double-end attachment
Things We Didn’t Like
- Straps may start to fray
- Mounting hardware could break
- Canvas can be too rough
Century BOB Body Opponent Training Bag
For those looking to practice on a life-like opponent, the BOB Training Bag may be beneficial.
When filled with sand or water, it can weigh around 270lbs total. It has a low-profile base and seven height adjustments from 60 in. to 78 in.
As the base is rounded, it’s easy to relocate this bag, making it highly suitable for a home gym.
It can rock back and forth depending on what it’s filled with and how hard you strike.
BOB can take quite the punishment though, and it should be durable enough for beginners to throw whatever they can at it.
Things We Liked
- Seven height adjustments
- Low-profile base
- Life-like opponent for versatile training
Things We Didn’t Like
- May move too much
- Some of the screws can come loose
- Fill spout could be larger
Century Wavemaster XXL Training Bag
This training bag stands at about 69 in. tall, and it has a wide, high-quality striking surface that’s filled with high density foam.
When filled with sand or water, it can weigh up to about 270lbs.
It has a low-profile base with good weight distribution.
There are no height adjustments with this bag, but it is made with enough striking surface that you can adjust your training accordingly.
This saves the time of having to manually change the height of the bag.
With the high-density foam, it can take a beating over time.
Things We Liked
- High-density foam
- Large striking surface
- Good distribution of weight
Things We Didn’t Like
- Can easily move around
- May loosen after some time
- Water may leak
TITLE Double End Bag
For those beginners who are up for a reflex challenge, the TITLE Double End Bag may do the trick.
Sizes are determined by color. Black is 9 in., gold is 6 in., and red is 7 in. Generally, 9 in. is a good for entry-level users.
It has an all-leather shell that is triple nylon stitched.
Additionally, it is made with leather welted seams to give it a more professional appearance.
It also has 3.5 in. twin-ply leather attachment straps along with heavy-duty chrome O-rings on the top and bottom.
It has enough speed to it that it will push you to develop accuracy and hand-eye coordination to give you an all-around reflex training.
The bag is easy to set up, and it should take up little room, which can be beneficial to situations where space may be an issue.
Things We Liked
- Triple nylon stitched, all-leather shell
- Good accuracy training
- Soft bag material
Things We Didn’t Like
- Bladder may leak air
- Emblems on the bag may be rough/cut your hands
- Metal connector may break
Kid Kick Wavemaster
If you’re looking to introduce your kids to combat sports, the Kid Kick Wavemaster can be a good place to start.
It has four height adjustments from 37 in. to 52 in., and it is made from a durable nylon cover filled with high impact foam.
The low-profile base can be filled with sand or water, and it can reach approximately up to 170lbs.
The low-profile base helps taller kids kick without worrying about missing the bag and hitting the base.
On the other hand, shorter children may see some difficulty kicking due to the width of the base.
It is sturdy, however, and with the height adjustments, should grow with your child.
Things We Liked
- Four height adjustments
- High impact foam
- Low-profile base
Things We Didn’t Like
- Some may find it too soft
- Can take some time to fill
- Nylon cover may not last over time
Outslayer Filled Punching Bag for Boxing and MMA, 80lb
This high-quality 80lb bag that stands 44 in. tall is filled with a special blend of fabric that prevents the formation of hard, empty spots that can otherwise ruin a punching bag.
This gives the bag greater longevity over time. Also, it can reach up to 300lbs, so you can add on to it as you grow in experience.
There’s an option to have a D-ring added for more stability.
Greater stability can work for those who hit harder and don’t want the bag swinging all over the place.
Without the D-ring, the bag has a good amount of movement to keep you adjusting your technique that can better your timing and coordination.
Things We Liked
- Special fabric blend filling
- Ability to withstand 300lbs
- Can modify with a D-ring
Things We Didn’t Like
- Dense filling can make it springy
- Stated length of straps may be off
- Doesn’t come with a chain
Velocity Boxing Children’s Pro Freestanding Reflex Punching Bag
Another good way to introduce kids to fitness and combat sports is a freestanding reflex bag their size.
This can help give kids a decent cardio workout while working on their endurance and hand-eye coordination.
It has height adjustments that go from 47 in. to 57 in., and it can weigh up to about 50lbs with sand or water.
The materials used to make this bag are adequate enough to last some time for kids.
It’s spring-loaded to bounce back once hit, so it can help kids gain greater technique and focus by moving around and adjusting their stance and the way they hit.
In addition, the punching bag comes with boxing gloves and a hand pump.
The boxing gloves do not appear to offer decent protection, however, so we recommend purchasing gloves separately.
Things We Liked
- Height adjustments
- Good rebound
- Durable bag material
Things We Didn’t Like
- Base can rock/move too much
- Bottom screw may come loose
- May be difficult to put together/directions unclear
Century The Original Wavemaster Freestanding Training Bag
This freestanding bag has seven different height adjustments from 47 in. to 68 in.
It can provide good rebound and resistance, and it features a rounded base for easier moving.
The bag can weigh up to 250lbs when filled with sand or water.
As the base is large in design, the bag can be hit with more force than usual for a freestanding bag without tipping over.
Overly powerful punches or kicks may cause it to move, however.
The rounded base makes it easy to move, but you still may experience some difficulty relocating it once it’s filled.
Adjusting the height is simple and quick, and it holds up well against beginning users, especially younger ones.
Things We Liked
- Seven easy to change height adjustments
- Large, rounded base design
- Good at absorbing force
Things We Didn’t Like
- Plastic knobs may break off
- Moves when hit, especially when filled with water
- Foam may not be dense enough
Everlast Omni Strike Heavy 80lb Bag
This 80lb bag is about 36 in. long, and it is made with premium synthetic leather.
In addition, it has a C3 foam wrapped bottom panel for those who want to practice low kicks or ground and pound.
The bag also has knee strike handles on either side, features that can simulate Thai clinch training.
Kicks work well against the bottom of the bag due to the C3 foam. The padding also absorbs a good deal of shock, and the knee strike handles are useful for clinch work.
You can even throw harder knees that way than you would a live opponent.
In addition, the bag can be taken down with ease to work on your ground technique.
Things We Liked
- C3 Foam Wrapped Panel
- Easy to practice ground and pound
- Knee strike handles
Things We Didn’t Like
- C3 Foam only covers the bottom of the bag
- Top can become soft quickly
- Can develop hard spots
Punching Bags for Beginners: A Buying Guide
Types of Punching Bags
There are a few different types of punching bags, and all of them can offer various degrees of health benefits.
Speed bags are among the smallest types of bags, and they are anchored to a rebound platform that runs parallel to the ground.
They are used for developing hand-eye coordination, reflexes, and improving punching speed.
Beginners are recommended to use bags that measure between 9 in. and 12 in. to give them a larger striking surface.
Double-end bags connect to the ceiling and the floor. As it rebounds quickly when hit, it also helps with hand-eye coordination in addition to helping you understand punching distance and your reaction time.
The harder you strike one of these bags, the more likely you are to cause it to react and rebound differently. You can build up a good training regime to improve coordination.
Heavy bags are typically cylinder in shape, and they hang from a chain attached to the ceiling or to a support on the ceiling.
It can be filled with a variety of material from fabric to sand, and most of the time, the weight can be changed to accommodate your training.
Lightweight bags like 50-80lbs are generally easier on beginners, while those over 100lbs tend to be reserved for more advanced users.
A freestanding bag is connected to a sturdy base. The advantage of this is that it can be set up just about anywhere.
Many home gyms can benefit from having a freestanding bag if it is impossible to hang a heavy bag or speed bag.
They do move quite often when struck, however, but they can be a good tool for beginners who are only just developing their technique.
Other Equipment to Remember
Before you take off on your adventure with a punching bag, it may be in your best interest to remember everything else that goes with a punching bag.
If it’s a heavy bag you’re after, be sure you have the right mounting equipment if it does not come along with the purchase of the bag.
For freestanding bags, even though they can fit in most places, be aware that they tend to be noisy. It may make it difficult for apartment dwellers to use it without disturbing the neighbors.
In addition, as you are just starting out, remember to wrap your hands and make use of the right type of bag gloves.
You may not have developed the right type of punching technique, and it can be easy for you to damage your wrists or knuckles.
Wrapping your hands or using gloves is a good way to keep yourself safe. The exception to this is with speed bags.
It’s not necessary to wear gloves, and many individuals usually hit either bare knuckled or with a simple wrap.
The Winner: Outslayer Filled Punching Bag for Boxing and MMA
Several bags of varying shapes and weights make the cut in our review of punching bags, but to us, the Outslayer Filled Punching Bag for Boxing and MMA is perhaps the best punching bag for beginners to use.
Since it’s filled only with fabric, it doesn’t develop empty or hard spots, so the bag can remain durable for the long haul.
For those who want greater stability, it’s simple to add a D-ring to it, and you can even customize the colors of the D-ring.
One of the best traits of it, we feel, is that you can continue to add fabric to it to build up to 300lbs.
This bag grows along with you so that you don’t have to buy another bag as your technique improves.
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