The heavy bag is the best friend of every martial artist. Heavy punching bags are extensively used in all striking disciplines. They are mandatory in every gym and a preferred piece of equipment in every home gym.
But picking the right heavy punching bag for your needs is not an easy task. What if you live in a small apartment? Or you can't hang anything from your ceiling? We've got you covered with options for every scenario.
Header |  Best Heavy Bag |   Best Heavy Bag For Home Gym |   Best Heavy Bag With Stand |
|---|---|---|---|
Model | |||
Weight | 77-120 lbs | 100 lbs | 270 lbs |
Material | Genuine Leather | Powerhide | Vinyl |
Price |
Since Yokkao came to the scene in 2010, they have revolutionized the Muay Thai and combat sports equipment market. They usually end up at the top of our review lists for a good reason.
The Yokkao heavy bag is a staple of high-quality punching bags. This bag is handmade in Thailand from premium, high-quality leather. The quality is truly superb, and while this may sound like an exaggeration, the Yokkao heavy bag will last decades.
Genuine leather has been and still is the best material for heavy bags to this day. Combined with this bag's craftsmanship, it guarantees extreme durability.
Yokkao heavy bags come in 3 sizes depending on your needs, which is another benefit. The smallest is 100 cm and weighs 77 pounds, ideal for beginners or fighters from the lower divisions.
The middle size is 120 cm which makes it perfect for boxing and Muay Thai training, and while heavier than the small one, it will still swing. The XL size is the standard 6-foot and 120 lbs. This Muay Thai bag is perfect for punching and kicking at all levels.
There are also options on Yokkao's website for an empty bag, which may be a better solution to save on delivery prices, which may be significant given the weight of heavy bags.
The exceptional quality of Yokkao comes at a hefty price, but if you want to equip a guy with the best quality professional gear, look no further than Yokkao for a heavy bag.
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Yokkao Heavy Bag
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Best Heavy Bag For Home Gym
Ringside Powerhide Heavy Punching Bag
Ringside gear is always a good choice for boxers, and their heavy bags are no different. Their 100-pound heavy bag is the gold standard weight and size, not that hard to mount on and off but heavy enough for serious work.
This bag is made of durable power hide that withstands heavy punishment at home or in a commercial gym. The hanging is done the traditional way with chains, which create some noise but are indestructible.
The Ringside bag is on the harder side of things and can also be used for kicking, but the perfect use is for boxing combos. The swivel that comes with the chains is often missing in budget bags, which means they must be adjusted after spinning too much. But, with Ringside, this problem is resolved from the factory.
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Ringside Powerhide Heavy Punching Bag
Best Heavy Bag For Beginners
Everlast 70-Pound MMA Bag
A beginner's heavy bag must meet at least two criteria: it has to be relatively light and inexpensive. That is why the Everlast 70-pound MMA bag is perfect for newcomers to fighting sports or those who want to hit the bag just for fitness.
At 70 pounds, this bag is on the lighter side and won't be too much for lighter people or those with less experience, but it's heavy enough that it won't swing around wildly. The bag is made of synthetic polycanvas that will last long for its intended use. The design is simple and clean, with heavy-duty nylon straps securing the bag.
The price tag is very reasonable, and the nearly 2 thousand reviews on Amazon will guarantee that this Everlast bag is a good choice for a first heavy bag.
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Everlast 70-Pound MMA Bag
Best Heavy Bag For Muay Thai
Yokkao Heavy Bag XL
The best heavy bag for Muay Thai is the same as our overall best heavy bag choice. Yokkao is primarily a Muay Thai brand, so it's natural that they also make the best Muay Thai bag. But in this case, I strongly recommend the 6-foot version of the bag so that you can practice low kicks. At 120 lbs this bag is also the best for kicking.
In fact, you can see why Bangkok Trainer of the Year and professional Muay Thai fighter Steve Pipe recommends this bag in his Best Muay Thai Heavy Bag article.
Yokkao Heavy Bag
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Best Freestanding Heavy Bag
Century Wavemaster XXL
Freestanding bags, also known as bags with a stand, are usually the more mobile and home-friendly versions of heavy bags. Century is the undisputed leader in the segment and has many different options. Still, their Wavemaster XXL is the best for serious martial artists.
The XXL freestanding bag, as the name suggests, is huge. This size removes most standing bags' limitations and is excellent for kicking and punching at all levels.
When filled, the Wavemaster XXL weighs roughly 270 pounds, meaning even people with serious power in the strikes will find it very good. This freestanding bag is made from a durable vinyl cover and has a tough but forgiving high-density foam.
Taekwondo practitioners also prefer freestanding bags as they don't swing. The Century extra-large bag is perfect for them, as well as traditional karatekas and other speed kickers.
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Century Wavemaster XXL
Best Heavy Bag For MMA
Outslayer MMA Punching Bag
Outsayer is a mainstay in many MMA gyms for its quality, durability, and perfect density. The 100-pound bag is the ideal middle ground choice for MMA as the 55" length also allows for low kicking if hung at the right height.
Outsayer offers a 10-year warranty, which considering how many pro fighters are using them, says a lot about the confidence Outsayer has in their quality.
The well-rounded density of Outsayer heavy bags, a common issue with lower-class heavy bags, is a strong selling point for them. The filling is 100% cotton with no sand, which significantly minimizes the chance of hard or hollow spots.
The quadruple hand stitching, in combination with the 4 ply hanging straps, further guarantees the quality of this USA-made heavy bag.
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Outslayer MMA Punching Bag
Best Heavy Bag For Boxing
Title Professional Leather Bag
Title Boxing manufactures some of the best boxing equipment available, and their boxing bags have stood the test of time. The Title genuine leather heavy bag will look right at home in any high-end boxing gym worldwide. Genuine leather is still the most durable material and comes with other advantages over synthetic materials.
The Title professional heavy punching bag is packed with fabric and has a perfectly balanced center weight and a foam rubber inside liner. The outstanding quality and timeless design come in three different weights and sizes.
The 100 lb. will be the top choice for most boxers, but there is a 70 lb. good for beginners and a 150 lb. one aimed at those of you with hammers in the fists.
This bag has a clean and proven design, features, and outstanding quality, so if you are looking for the best boxing option, this may very well be it.
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Title Professional Leather Bag
Best Heavy Bag For Apartment
Century Versus Fight Simulator
Heavy bags are usually not suitable for apartment use. The most significant issues are noise and vibration, but mounting is another problematic point. While freestanding bags are a better fit for apartment use, most models also produce quite a bit of noise, which is unsuitable for every living situation.
In these cases, I can recommend a different kind of freestanding heavy bag called the Century Versus fight simulator. Perhaps the quietest piece of gear can still qualify as a heavy bag. It is also surprisingly versatile and can be used as a ground-and-pound dummy.
The lower weight does not allow for full power striking. Still, for apartment training, it may be perfect for honing stand-up striking techniques and ground and pound. The Century Versus fight simulator is easy to put together and even easier to move around and store.
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Century Versus Fight Simulator
How To Choose The Best Heavy Bag For You
Design
The most important thing when choosing a heavy bag is the design. The two main categories are hanging heavy bags and freestanding heavy bags. Hanging ones are the standard and are preferred by all combat sports athletes. Freestanding bags have their benefits and are easier to mount and move around, which makes them the preferred choice for many home gyms.
There are other design differences within both groups. Hanging bags are available in various shapes, lengths, and weights. We only included standard heavy bags in our review, not teardrop shapes, uppercut bags, or other specialized models.
Other models like wall-mounted bags, doorway bags, reflex bags, and such are often included in similar articles. Still, they are not really heavy, both literally and in the way you train with an actual heavy bag.
Material
Materials determine both the longevity and the feeling of using the heavy bag. Genuine leather is the most durable heavy bag cover, followed by synthetic leather, and vinyl materials are at the bottom of the quality ladder.
You can fill heavy bags with fabric, sand, water, rubber pieces, or other materials. High-quality bags are filled with fabric pieces because rubber and sand especially tend to leave some spots hollow while hardening others like concrete. On the other hand, water-filled bags are easy to carry and fill but can break or spill.
Martial Art You’re Practicing
The martial art you are practicing also determines what bag you need. If you only box, the classic size will do. A banana bag will be more suitable if you want to low kick hard. Taekwondo guys need to practice speed kicking, so a heavy freestanding bag is usually the best choice.
Price
Price is usually indicative of the quality of all equipment. The materials of punching bags largely determine their price. A leather cover will cost you the most, but it's the most durable. Fabric filling provides the best density and can easily be removed or added. Still, it's more expensive than sand, which may produce hollow spots in some places of the bag.
Hanging bags are cheaper than freestanding ones and are better for training, but not everyone has the space to hang a bag and leave it there. Freestanding bags are easier to mount and move around, but they require more materials and are naturally more expensive.
If you equip a home gym, you can usually use a mid-quality bag. Getting a cheap heavy bag is never a good idea. It will wear out faster, and it will be uncomfortable due to excess sinking and bulges.
On the other hand, the premium ones are overkill for a garage gym unless money is no issue. If this is the case, by all means, buy the best gear on the market.
Frequently Asked Heavy Bag Questions
How Heavy Should Your Heavy Bag Be?
The weight of the heavy bag depends mainly on the weight of the users. Heavier and more experienced fighters have more power in their strikes and require heavier bags. 70 lbs. bags are usually more oriented towards beginners.
Bags weighing 100 pounds are the boxing standard, while 120 lbs. are generally longer and designed for kicking and punching. 150 lbs. are often used by professionals and heavier people in general.
What Heavy Punching Bag Do The Pros Use?
A 100 lb. heavy bag is the staple for boxing, while Muay Thai fighters and MMA athletes go with 120 lbs. 6-foot bags that are also great for low kicking. Some fighters use heavier bags than those, but the overall standard is 100-120 lbs., up to 150 lbs. Heavier bags are single exceptions, albeit legendary ones like the 300-pound bag Mike Tyson used to train with.
What Is The Best Material For A Heavy Bag?
Genuine leather is the most durable and best-feeling material for a heavy bag. Naturally, it’s more expensive than nylon and synthetic leather. But if you want the best quality bag that will last the longest, genuine leather is the top choice.
What Size Heavy Bag Does Floyd Mayweather Use?
Despite being a welterweight fighter not known for his power punches, Floyd Mayweather preferred to use a heavier-than-usual heavy bag. The yellow and black heavy bags often seen in his videos are wider than usual and around 4' x 18" in size, 135 lbs.
Can A Heavy Bag Be Too Heavy?
Yes, it can. Some come at 150 lbs. and above and can be too heavy for beginners or lighter fighters. The bag should provide enough resistance, but it still has to move to be used to its full capacity.
Can You Hit The Heavy Bag Every Day?
You can train on the heavy bag daily, but you should do this once you are more conditioned and experienced. Hitting the heavy bag stresses the bones, muscles, and tendons, and they need some time to recover between sessions. In time, you will be able to hit the heavy bag every day without issue.
Summary
The Yokkao Heavy Bag takes the top spot in our best heavy bag list due to its unparalleled quality and design. It is the best option for professionals and people looking for the best gear. The high price tag will dissuade many buyers, and in the list, you can find many other options for different needs.
Yokkao Heavy Bag
Code "SSOF1023" For 10% OFF
