The 10 Best Punching Bag Stands
Editor's Notes
October 29, 2020:
It was a fairly busy round of updates, with widespread availability issues that led to us removing the Ringside Prime Free-Standing, Goplus Boxing Frame, Titan Dual Station and AthleticMMAGear Muay Thai. The Everlast Dual Station managed to maintain a place on our list, but it fell a few spots after we realized that it’s no longer being offered with training gloves, which we previously thought made for a nice bonus.
Some of our new additions this time around include the AthleticMMAGear Heavy Duty — a suitable replacement for the AthleticMMAGear Muay Thai, as they look to be virtually identical, although the new offering now includes a 15-year warranty instead of a 10-year guarantee; the Weanas Folding — a relatively affordable model with a collapsible design and a built-in pull-up bar; and the Ringside Professional — a smart choice for commercial gyms, as it can support up to eight heavy bags at a time.
Now that you’ve gone ahead and picked your perfect stand out, you might be interested in perusing our page of Best Punching Bags. If kicking’s your game, we also maintain a separate list of heavy bags for muay thai, but if this purchase is intended as a gift for your little ones, our list of punching bags for kids might be a better place to start. If you’re training with a friend, we’ve got rankings for strike shields, punch mitts and chest protectors. And, last but not least, for our users who are active and aspiring kung fu practitioners, we even maintain a page for the Best Wing Chun Dummies.
December 11, 2019:
During this round of updates, we added several options including the Everlast Three-Station – a versatile offering with additional accommodations for a speedbag and double end bag, the Titan Dual Station – another larger offering with provisions for a speedbag, and the Titan Adjustable – an option with a smaller footprint, but a notably-long, four-foot boom that’s helpful for kick training. The Outslayer Muay Thai was also replaced by the more-affordable AthleticMMAGear Muay Thai.
A note on punching bags and means of supporting them:
In my mind, when it comes to quick, intense workouts, not much beats a good session with a punching bag. While many will agree with me, there’s no denying that they do present problems: they require a certain amount of space, and hanging them is a pain. Since you already found your way to this page, chances are that you’ve already heard about the structural issues that might come about from hanging a heavy bag from a floor joist for prolonged periods. These stands can indeed be a good solution to that problem, especially when set up on a concrete floor – say in your basement or garage.
However, you'll always achieve the best training experience by hanging your bag from something solid. So, if you happen to have access to a steel I-beam in your gym or basement, I’d strongly suggest that you look into our selection of I-beam punching bag mounts. Additionally, if this is an investment for a young, aspiring pugilist in your life, you might want to check out our rankings for kids punching bags, which include lighter options that will be less problematic, many of them freestanding.
And remember, you’ll never be the next Muhammed Ali or Buakaw Banchamek without training speed and coordination in addition to your power. So when you’re planning where to situate your heavy bag, make sure leave some space for a speed bag or even a nice double end bag.
A Brief History Of Boxing
However, as you might expect, this also led to quite a few deaths in the ring, and the first rules were introduced in 1743 by a fighter named Jack Broughton.
The art of fighting is likely as old as humanity itself. The sport of boxing, on the other hand, has a much shorter (and easier to trace) history. Sumerian reliefs, dating back to the second or third millennium B.C.E., show competitors duking it out, and the first known primitive boxing glove comes from around 1650 B.C.E.
Boxing was featured in the first Olympic Games, as the ancient Greeks believed that the gods themselves liked to throw punches at each other every now and then. The only protection afforded to the fighters came in the form of leather thongs wrapped around the fists, and the fights would continue until one fighter couldn't continue.
Boxing would become a favorite gladiatorial sport, and watching slaves brawl was considered high entertainment. Around 393 C.E., however, public opinion turned, and the sport was banned due to its barbaric nature.
The sport would lie dormant until the early 16th century, when bare-knuckle boxing would become popular in England. In those days, boxing matches also included fencing and cudgeling, and there were few rules and no weight classes — which is to say, it was awesome.
However, as you might expect, this also led to quite a few deaths in the ring, and the first rules were introduced in 1743 by a fighter named Jack Broughton. His regulations included the use of hand padding, the banning of low blows, and the requirement that the bout be stopped if a fighter couldn't rise after 30 seconds. In 1867, the Marquess of Queensberry rules were drafted, establishing the size of the ring, round number and length, and the use of gloves. Thanks to these small steps that were taken towards ensuring fighters' safety, bouts lasted much longer and fighting defensively became more important.
Amateur boxing societies soon sprung up across the globe, as the sport was viewed as an excellent way to stay in shape, learn self-defense, and boost self-confidence. Golden Gloves became an immensely popular organization, and amateur boxers still represent their countries in the Olympics.
The sport enjoyed incredible cultural importance, as well, from Joe Louis knocking out Max Schmelling in Yankee Stadium to Muhammad Ali galvanizing the entire country with his political courage as well as his in-ring prowess. While boxing seems to be waning in popularity today, top fighters can still make gigantic paydays, and high-profile bouts can bring fans of all ages together on a Saturday night.
The golden age of boxing may have passed, but if the sport's history has taught us anything, it's that you should never count it out.
Choosing The Right Punching Bag Stand
If you're getting started in boxing, MMA, Muay Thai, or any other combat sport, then having your own heavy bag is a must — and that means you need somewhere to put it. Getting a quality stand will help keep your training area clean while also giving you a clear shot at your target.
Another important consideration is whether you're willing to drill holes in your wall or ceiling from which to hang your bag.
The first thing you should consider is how much space you're willing to devote to your training. There are some stands that are truly massive, and while these are usually the most sturdy, they can also become albatrosses. If you aren't willing to dedicate a large portion of your garage or spare bedroom to the bag, then you'll need something smaller.
Another important consideration is whether you're willing to drill holes in your wall or ceiling from which to hang your bag. Doing so will give you a much stronger base, but there are free-standing options that won't require you to lose your security deposit. These tend to move around quite a bit when you hit them, however.
The design is also important, as is the specific sport for which you'll be training. If you need to throw kicks, make sure there aren't any bars or other obstructions in the way. If you're only going to use it for boxing, however, than a narrower stand might be helpful, as you'll be less likely to have to chase the bag around.
Regardless, buying a punching bag — and the stand to go with it — is a decision that will pay off in the long run, as hitting the bag is a great way to relieve stress and stay healthy. After all, there's nothing better than really whaling on something that refuses to hit back.
Punching Bag Tips for Beginners
If you're new to hitting the bag and you don't want to spend a bundle on classes, then below are a few tips to help get you started off on the right foot...or left hand. Whichever you prefer.
Be sure to always keep your balance when hitting the bag. No matter how hard you hit it, it's not going to feel any pain, so focus on technique and accuracy rather than raw power.
If you're new to hitting the bag and you don't want to spend a bundle on classes, then below are a few tips to help get you started off on the right foot...or left hand.
Likewise, make sure that you're actually punching the bag when you hit it. Many newbies tend to make contact and then push the bag, as that creates more swinging (and thus the illusion that you're accomplishing something). By all means, follow through with your strikes, but no shoving.
Also, don't neglect your footwork. Your feet should be moving as you re-position yourself to take better shots at the bag. Standing there like a statue breeds bad habits, and reduces your power to boot.
If you get tired, it's fine to take something off your punches, but don't stop completely — and never rest on the bag. This will eliminate many of the health benefits associated with training, and it could lead to you putting a big hole in your drywall, as well.
Ultimately, though, the most important thing is to have fun. Combat sports are incredibly entertaining ways to stay in shape, so if you're not enjoying yourself, that defeats the purpose.
Now, get back out there. I think I heard that bag say something about your mother.