With so many styles and sizes of punching bags available, it’s hard to know what the perfect fit is for your needs. The most important thing to consider when choosing a bag is how much room you have.
Since there are two main types of punching bags, free-standing and hanging, it’s important to know which one will fit best in your space. If you have the floor space, a freestanding bag might be a good fit for you. If you have the ceiling space and are willing to invest in a hanging bag, it might be a better option.
How much room do you need around a boxing bag?
For effective boxing training, you need 360 degrees of access to the bag and at least 3.5 feet around it. The ideal place to put it is in the middle of the room. This way, you can have training from every angle, practice footwork and other defensive and offensive skills.
Kicking needs more space to have enough room for high and low kicks. I think 5 feet is the minimum.
This rule is true for both freestanding and hanging heavy bags.
If you don’t have enough place for complete access, find a place that gives plenty of room for 180-degree access. You need to do the same if you want to use a heavy bag stand.
In case you use a wall-mounted hanger, the punching bag distance from the wall should be a minimum of 25 inches, but the more, the better. This way, it has enough space to swing, which is required for effective boxing training.
How to stop a hanging bag from moving?
It’s not bad if the bag moves since it gives you a target that requires more controlled punches. This helps to improve your punching technique. But, of course, too much movement is bad.
One reason why a heavy bag moves too much is that it’s too light for your weight (power). The rule is to get a heavy punching bag that weighs about half of the user. Well-chosen equipment gives sufficient resistance but also acceptably swings. For example, I’m about 210 lbs, and I use a 120-pound item.
However, most of the bags come with a bottom loop. You can attach a rubber band to it and fix it to the floor. That keeps the bag from moving too much.
Is it safe to hang a punching bag from the ceiling?
Usually, people hang the heavy bag from rafters or ceiling joints. The other option is to use a wall-mounted hanger attached to the studs or brick wall. Both options, wall and ceiling mount, may work, but caution is necessary. It is advisable to consult an expert first.
A safer option is the heavy bag stand that doesn’t need to be attached to any house parts. But, we can’t have 360 degrees of access around.
Here is a tutorials on how to hang a heavy bag.
When use a freestanding bag?
Frankly, I prefer hanging bags as they are more realistic opponents (for me). Nevertheless, stand-up bags such as punching dummies are also excellent tools if they are large and stable. In some cases, they are better than hanging ones because they are suitable for martial arts like MMA, kickboxing, and karate.
Additionally, the great benefit is that freestanding bags do not require installation and are portable, which is why they are preferred for rooms. After the training, we can move them into a corner, for example.
So, if you for a reason can’t install a bag or can’t have a dedicated workout space, then a freestanding bag is an excellent alternative.
To sum up
If you’re a boxer or martial artist, a heavy bag is essential for developing punching speed, accuracy, and power. To maximize the benefits, you need to select gear that’s just the right size for your needs and have enough space to move it around. Therefore, before shopping for anything, make sure you have enough dedicated workout space at home.