There are pros and cons to both hanging and freestanding punching bags. Hanging bags are cheaper, while freestanding bags are more portable and convenient. Hanging bags require a sturdy metal frame or beam to hang from, while freestanding bags can be used anywhere with enough space.
Overall, which type of bag is better depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a cheaper option that takes up less space, then a hanging bag is the best choice. If you’re looking for a more portable option that can be used anywhere, then a freestanding bag is the best choice.
But, of course, there is more to it than that, so read on. This article will help you decide for yourself, “A hanging punching bag v.s. a Freestanding punching bag, which is better?”
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Freestanding Punching Bags and Hanging Punching Bags, What is the Difference?
Now, before we answer your burning question, hanging punching bag v.s. Freestanding, which is better? We need to explain the two types of punching bags in some detail. After all, there is no point in explaining why you should choose one type of bag over another if you don’t even know what the bag is!
Hanging Bags | The Traditional Option
Personally I love a free hanging heavy punching bag. They’re practical and easy to use – though installing them may be a challenge! And they are not as easily moved around from one place to the other. Unfortunately they have their limitations. Such as I am currently setting up a new training zone in my office, which is made from lightweight sandwich foam and metal materials, hanging a heavy bag from the ceiling is just not an option. An getting a freestnding frame to hang the bag from will be too bulky for the area.
What is a Hanging Bag?
Hanging punching bags come in many different sizes and shapes, meaning they can accommodate people of all ages. The hanging bag is perfect for those who want to get into shape or train effectively without having to find a training partner or use heavy weights.
Leather is the perfect material for punching bags because it doesn’t warp, tear, or get damaged easily. That means you won’t have to worry about your money being wasted on something that will tear after a short time. Leather will last for many years, and even when it does tear, it can be taped up with heavy duty wrapping tape. I had one bag, held together by layers of duct tape, for nearly 10 years eventually it did let go and split in half when I gave it one good right hook.
The downside to a hanging punching bag is, well they must be hung. From either an exposed rafter beam, a ceiling bracket, or a wall mounting bracket.
What Characterizes Hanging Bags?
Well, for one thing, hanging punching bags are versatile! There are other reasons why people who are serious about their hardcore aerobic workouts use hanging punching bags:
- Excellent swinging motion
- High resistance
- They can be incorporated into multiple workouts
- Durable
- Compact
- More affordable than a freestanding bag
Now, it’s time to analyze each quality in more detail.
Excellent Swinging Motion
Hanging punching bags don’t stay put when punched. So just like in the ring you will need to constantly be moving your feet as you throw those left right combo punches. This is why I love hanging punching bags, they will keep you moving your feet constantly.
The way they behave similar to a human body when hit, and their sometimes longer length make them ideal for more leg based training for sports such as;
- Kickboxing
- Muay Thai
- Taekwando
If you remember to take a few steps forward when the bag moves away from you and to take a few steps backward when the bag moves towards you, dancing around the bag, feeling it’s rythym! Hanging punching bags’ unique swinging nature will give you amazingly accurate reflexes and coordination.
High Resistance
So, if you buy a hanging punching bag, you‘re going to be dealing with a heavyweight champ in terms of a punching bag, no pun intended! But, their heavier nature is exactly what makes it a great candidate if you’re serious about getting a great workout or training like a boxing pro!
It’s because high resistance comes with lots of weight. Therefore, you’ll be able to use your hanging punching bag like a punching bobo, literally. It will act like the Energizer Bunny because it will ‘take a beating and still keep on ticking!’ Indeed, you may want to use a hanging punching bag if you want to build lots of muscle mass quickly!
The heavier hanging punching bags also take far more force to make them swing. This can cause issues for smaller, less powerful boxers. That is why you should always tape your wrists before any bag session too.
Can be Incorporated Into Multiple Workouts
Besides being used to improve your boxing skills, hanging bags are an excellent way to get in shape quickly and efficiently. They provide a high-intensity cardio and full-body workout that can be done on your own or with someone else
Durable
You can deliver these bags crushing blows, and do you want to know something? They will retain their shape and integrity. You don’t have to worry about damaging your hanging bag, ever, with intense workouts!
Compact
Hey, you don’t put these bags on the floor. Therefore, you’ll have more space to place items on the floor that are important to you, like a treadmill or an heirloom sofa! Oh, and you can also store the boxing equipment that you use in your workouts underneath them!
More affordable than a freestanding bag
Hanging punching bags won’t break the bank! They’re super affordable and that’s one reason why many people love to practice with them! A good hanging bag starts at a couple of hundred dollars. But a comparable freestanding bag will be double the cost.
Freestanding Punching Bags | The versatile option
Freestanding punching bags have become much more popular in recent years as there are more brands to choose from and the cost has come down. True, they are still more expensive than hanging punching bags are, but they do have some real advantages that make the cost worth the investment.
What is a Freestanding Punching Bag?
A freestanding punching bag is a type of punching bag that doesn’t require any hanging or anchoring in order to stay upright. This is in contrast to traditional hanging punching bags, which must be anchored in order to remain stable.
The advantage of a freestanding punching bag is that it can be placed almost anywhere in your home or training gym. This makes them convenient for use in small spaces, and also means that you don’t need any extra equipment (e.g., a heavy bag stand or wall bracket) to use them.
Freestanding punching bags have only been around for a few decades, but I’ve come to love them. They’re perfect if you want an easier way of practicing your skills or just don’t have the space for hanging workout equipment in your home gym!
The key things I love about owning a Freestanding punching bag are:
- They are easy to install (No installation is really needed)
- Less stress on the wrists
- Ideal for low striking practice
- Portable
- Compact
- Very versatile
Easy to Install
You don’t have the headache of finding a secure place to hang a freestanding bag from. No drilling holes into the rafters in your ceiling or bolting brackets to the wall. All you have to do is find the best place where you can efficiently work out and place your freestanding bag there! It’s that simple!
Some brands come pre-filled and in one piece. So, all you have to do is put it in the best place in your house. Other brands come in two pieces and the weighted bases aren’t pre-filled, but don’t worry; filling them is a quick and easy job, water is usually the easiest option.
In addition to having heavy-weighted bases, most freestanding punching bags also have suction cups on the bottoms of their bases. Helping to keep them stable and prevent the base from slipping around even when punched or kicked really hard. Although they do sometimes come loose, If you want a good laugh do a quick google search for “Man gets knocked out by the training dummy” You can thank me later.
Less stress on the wrists
Hitting a hanging boxing bag is going to hurt your wrist more because they rely on their weight for stability. A freestanding bag tends to be softer and send less force back because the bag is lighter, all the weight and resistance is in the base. They still give good resistance though, so you’ll still want to wrap your wrists up well when training with it but you will find yourself feeling much better afterward.
Ideal for low striking practice
If you are wanting to do any kickboxing practice, you will either need a long hanging bag or you could get a freestanding punching bag.
Freestanding bags are perfect for kicking practice, their ability to stay still makes them great to use if you want to practice Muay Thai kicks! You can also do a great job of practicing head kicks with freestanding bags if you choose one that is tall enough.
Portable
The main advantage to a freestanding bag is it’s portability. Most of them have wheels, making it easy to transport them quickly across any even surface. Simply tip the bag back, and use the wheels to roll it around the floor to the new desired location. This can be a little tricky as the suction cups often are stuck down well, so you may need a friend to assist, one pulling back, the other, sliding a blunt knife under the cups to break the seal.
Compact
They take up less space, well not technically. But because they can be moved, you can place them aside out of the way if need be.
Very Versatile
The good news is that you can practice a variety of workouts with freestanding punching bags. Bags with more extensive and heavier bases can also stay put, even after enduring a series of stiff kicks!
Which is Better?
You now have a basic idea of what a freestanding and hanging punching bag is. It’s time to answer the fundamental question we asked at the beginning of this article, “hanging punching bag v.s freestanding, which is better?”
The truth is there is no one cut-and-dry answer. We can’t tell you that a hanging punching bag is better than a freestanding punching bag. “Why is that?” Because “Boxing is a diverse sport. There are many different boxing styles, and each style has its own set of moves. Hanging punching bags are great for some moves, but freestanding bags are better for others!”
Personally, I love freestanding punching bags, they are more versatile and require no permanent installation. But I also love giving a good heavy bag a thrashing, the random movement and swing of the bag is something that a freestanding bag can’t replicate.
Now that you know this, you probably want to know the different boxing styles and moves and which punching bag is best for each one.
Punching and High Kicks
Depending on your style, if you do a lot of combination kick and punch training then a a tall frestanding punching bag will be ideal for you. It will be best for technical training. But when I am really going at it, I like to train kicks on a full length heavy bag, because of the way the bag folds as you kick the crap out of it, but that is just my personally preference.
If you choose a really heavy long bag they tend not to swing too much either.
Long Muay Thai Style Boxing
The hanging punching bags that you would use to practice Muay Thai Style moves are big. In fact, they’re over six feet tall! So, why are these bags that tall? The reasoning is simple: the fact that they hang low in relation to the floor means that you can easily kick them low and high. You can also easily give the bags head kicks and knee strikes!
These are the bags to use if you want to get good at various mixed martial arts moves!
Wrecking Ball Bags
This is an interesting name for a hanging punching bag! These come in two shapes: round and teardrop. You want to use this bag if you want to get good at uppercuts and powerful strikes. Of course, these bags are also great if you want to practice general boxing moves.
When Would You Want to Use a Freestanding Punching Bag?
If you don’t have a place to hang a heavy bag, then you’ll want to use a freestanding punching bag instead. A freestanding punching bag is also a great option if you have limited space in your home or if you’re looking for something that’s more mobile. They tend to be more expensive than heavy hanging bags, but they don’t require fixing brackets.
Are heavy punching bags a good workout
Absolutely, training on a heavy punching bag is a great workout! You'll see improvements in your strength, speed and stamina, which will carry over into all aspects of your life.
Are freestanding punch bags any good?
Freestanding bags are more space-saving and less expensive than heavy bags. While a freestanding bag may be a more convenient option, it will not provide the same quality or durability as a heavy bag. The main drawback of a freestanding bag is that it is not as sturdy as a heavy bag. Because it is not hanging from the ceiling or mounted to a wall, there is nothing stopping the bag from tipping over when you punch it with too much force. This can be dangerous, especially if the bag hits you on the way back. Another downside of a freestanding bag is that it does not swing back and forth like a heavy bag does
Can you train kickboxing on a freestanding punch bag
Yes, you can definitely train kickboxing on a freestanding punching bag. In fact, freestanding punching bags are very versatile and can be used to train all sorts of things - like hand speed, footwork, and head movement. They're also great for cardio and general fitness. The key is to make sure that the bag is properly weighted so that it moves around when you hit it. This will help you to better simulate an actual opponent. And don't forget to wear protective gear!