It might seem silly to stress about what punching bag to buy and what to look out for. After all, it is just that — an object that you’ll punch to shape up or work on your martial arts skills. 

You might be surprised (and your quest to buy the perfect punching bag becomes more difficult) to know that you have many options on the market.

In this article, we’ll go through some of the said options. That way, you will get an idea of what suits you (and your goals).

Heavy punching bags

Heavy punching bags are perhaps the most common on the market. It’ll probably be one of the first things you see when visiting stores like The Fight Factory dealing with boxing goods.

Heavy punching bags are designed to hang from a bar or a beam and is usually made from leather. As for punching material, heavy punching bags are very dense and firm. These bags are quite heavy (hence the name), but one person can still move it from one place to another.

Heavy punching bags are great for when you’re looking for something simple that can take a beating. If punctured, these punching bags are also easy to fix (duct tape). If these are qualities you appreciate, then a heavy punching bag might be the right option.

Free-standing punching bag

If you do not have a durable bar or beam that can support a heavy punching bag’s weight, then a free-standing one is a good alternative. It is convenient to set up and safe enough to be around children.

Of course, free-standing punching bags do have some downsides, one of which is their lack of sturdiness. This can be a problem for people who want the “full contact” experience while training. 

For support, free-standing punching bags are connected to a base loaded with sand or water. The punching bag pivots over the bottom, and you can move the bag in any direction you please. This makes them an excellent choice for martial arts schools and health clubs. You can push them to the center of the room for training and drag them to the corner once you’re done.

Mannequin Punching Bags

If you want some human-like features in your training tool, you might want to opt for mannequin punching bags. These are available in various types and designs. 

Though less common, some mannequin punching bags are shaped like a human. That is to say, it has a head, a torso, two arms, and legs. You can hang it the same way you hang a heavy bag. Other variations feature only the upper portion of the body (no legs) and are mounted on a base similar to free-standing punching bags.

As you might imagine, the advantage of choosing a mannequin punching bag is you can target your strikes. For instance, you can focus a kick to the groin or punch an arm. This is something that you obviously can’t do with a regular punching bag. These types of punching bags are great for working on your timing and practicing your strikes.