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How to choose a punching bag for boxing?
You’ve always been a boxing fan and would like to take up the sport. Why not take advantage of the current health situation, which allows you to train at home? You’ll have plenty of time to develop your fitness and progress in boxing. With this in mind, you’ve gradually acquired the necessary equipment: dumbbells, gloves, under-gloves… Ah! You need a punching bag! Thorny question: “How do I choose my punching bag? Let’s take a look at this indispensable basic element of the noble art of boxing.
Table des matières
What types of punching bags are available for boxing?
There are different types of punching bag for boxing, and you need to find the one that’s right for you.
Hanging punching bags
Ceiling-mounted punching bags are the most popular. These are available at fairly affordable prices and are relatively easy to install. They are usually supplied with chain and swivel, sometimes with a ring underneath to enable them to be fixed to the ground. Weights range from 30 lbs to 150 lbs, with bags under 65 lbs for children, 75 lbs for adults and 100 or 150 lbs for Thai boxing.
Stand-mounted punching bags
The stand-mounted or base-mounted punching bag is a self-supporting punching bag. It’s the perfect choice for those who can’t hang a bag from the ceiling, those who live in apartments or simply those who want to move their bag to another location for training. These models offer the advantage of ease of installation and mobility, but lack the swinging effect of hanging bags. Base bags come in two types: those with a cylindrical shape and those with a striking surface molded like a human trunk. Before making your choice, make sure that the base of the bag you have chosen is large enough in diameter to offer adequate stability. Also make sure that the striking surface is adapted to your needs.
Specialized punching bags
Specialized punching bags have also emerged. In general, they are only seen in boxing gyms. This is the case, for example, with the uppercut bag, often horizontal, ideal for working on uppercuts. This is also the case with the tear drop bag, shaped like a teardrop, which is quite small and filled with sand. It is designed to work on powerful boxing blows to the head.
What are the selection criteria?
To best answer your question: “How do I choose my punching bag ? “Let’s take a look at the criteria you need to consider.
- Where you want to install your punching bag
This is a crucial criterion to consider before you even begin your search. Is your training area better suited to a freestanding punching bag or a ceiling-mounted bag? For example, a stand-up punching bag requires a circle of at least 3 meters around it. And for a hanging bag, the higher it is, the more space you’ll need around it.
- The right hook
Another factor to consider is the strength of the ceiling or walls. If you feel that everything is solid, you can choose a hanging punching bag. If your ceiling is made of plaster, this is out of the question: opt for a wall-mounted bag. Alternatively, there’s one last alternative: the stand-mounted punching bag.
- The budget you plan to allocate to the purchase
It’s difficult to define the budget in advance. But, generally speaking, the price of your boxing punching bag will depend on the quality of your equipment: leather will be expensive, but more resistant to the hardest and most advanced training.
- Your age range
Before you start your search, you should also consider your age range. You’re not going to buy a special children’s punching bag for an adult, and conversely, equipment dedicated to an adult for your child. Children’s punching bags are generally inflatable bags that can be described as boxing toys.
- Your body shape
The bag you choose should move a little, but shouldn’t fly around either. The two criteria to consider here are your strength and your weight. If you’re a beginner or an amateur, strength doesn’t play a major role. Weight, on the other hand, plays a major role. The general rule is to take a bag that weighs half as much as you do, i.e. half your own weight.
- The intensity of your workouts
The use you will make of your boxing punching bag will guide your choice of materials. If you’re a beginner, it’s best to buy a canvas, leatherette or plastic bag. It will be less expensive than leather and will allow you to express yourself long enough. But for intensive use, a leather bag is much more robust and meets this need.
- The length of the punching bag
The length of the boxing punching bag depends on your objectives. If you want to work on English boxing, consider a 100 cm to 120 cm bag, as everything will be happening on the upper body. If you prefer kick boxing, which uses both hands and feet, choose a bag between 150 cm and 180 cm. To work with fists and feet, as in French boxing, Thai boxing or full contact, the punching bag must be longer than 120 cm.
- The contents of the punching bag
The contents of the bag can be 20 x 20 cm of old fabric to be cut to fit all the little holes. It can also be sand, which makes the bag very hard, very heavy and very compact. When using sand, it’s best to choose a leather bag to avoid puncturing. A mix of the two materials gives a good balance, but will settle over time, so refilling should be done regularly after a certain number of workouts.
Why work on a punching bag?
Working on a punching bag is a very complete workout. The latter is particularly beneficial, as it develops strength, speed, endurance, muscularity and precision. It’s also an ideal ally for working on your heart rate. This equipment is used in both combat sports and martial arts. It can be found in almost any training room, and even in fitness studios. This ubiquity is proof that the punching bag has its uses.
Gone are the days when boxing was reserved for men! Today, men, women, children, the young and the not-so-young can all enjoy this sport at their own pace. With the right equipment, and in particular the right punching bag for boxing, everyone can develop individually. So if you want to progress in boxing at top speed, invest in a punching bag!
