From training your focus and counter-striking accuracy to honing your punching and kicking techniques, a punching bag is an indispensable piece of equipment for an athlete, boxer, or simply anyone who is trying to mix up their training from the standard gym workouts.

No matter what sport you’re in and what your training goals are, picking the right punching bag for you will depend on a number of factors. Each type of punching bag is designed to help improve different skill sets. Some bags are designed to develop speed, accuracy, and timing, while others are better for working on combinations and power. The punching bag perfect for you will also depend on consideration factors like your budget and specific benefits that are unique to that style of bag.

We’ve taken the liberty to summarize the consideration factors to help you understand better on what you should take into account when making a purchase (you’re welcome!).

Filled or Unfilled? Customization or not?

Even though many punching bags come filled, gyms and serious fighters like to buy only unfilled ones and have them filled according to personal requirements in order to have the best training experience. While a softer bag is more comfortable to use, a harder bag will let you work on the conditioning you need to make progress and build toughness.

On top of practicality, customizing your punching bag from the colour to style of leather used including incorporating your personal or company logo comes with a bonus benefit- looks cool as heck (hello new Instagram followers?). Customizing an unfilled bag also allows you to choose the materials used in the bag and the firmness/density/weight most suitable for you. 

Pro Tip: Unless you are absolutely certain, it is always best to discuss with a trusted expert when deciding how to best build your punching bag.

Weight of Bag?

It is critical to pick a bag of suitable weight during training as a badly chosen one will result in either a much less efficient workout or a possibly hazardous training session risking wrist and knuckle injury. Before deciding what the best size or weight your new punching bag should be, it is highly recommended to decide based on its intended use and your own experience level.

Customarily, a large deciding factor would be your body weight. Take your body weight and divide it by two; if you weigh 82kg, getting a 40kg bag is a good place to start. However, you may want to consider a heavier bag especially if you’re training Muay Thai. Muay Thai bags are typically heavier and more compact for kicks and to condition the shin. Boxing bags are lighter and less compact for wrist protection. If you’re not truly certain, it is always best to seek professional advice just to save yourself the headache, dilemma, and possibly unwarranted costs!

Suggested Article: How to properly fill your punching/boxing bags

Materials?
The materials used to make a punching bag is also pretty pivotal in defining your training experience.

Genuine leather:
Professionals in this field will generally agree that real leather will always be the default preferred covering for punching bags if budget is not a concern whatsoever. This is because one made of leather is probably the most durable and comfortable to train with over time. This is pretty tangible when you’re landing punches on it—a crucial part of the whole practice process!

Synthetic Leather/Vegan Leather:
Synthetic leather, on the other hand, is one of the most popular materials around. It has some clear advantages over genuine leather like the price, for one. Real leather punch bags tend to cost a whole lot more than a well-made synthetic leather counterpart, before even factoring in the cost of caring for real leather versus synthetic ones. Cost aside, another reason why synthetic leather is more preferred to some is because of its better resistance to mildew and mold.  

Additionally, a well-made custom synthetic leather punching bag made of premium materials that is filled perfectly for you will offer a similar training experience without the hefty price tag. 

Canvas:
Canvas punching bags are definitely the cheapest ones out there simply because canvas in itself isn’t an expensive material. However, most people who have used one don’t tend to speak highly of the experience since the material can be quite rough and users will be more susceptible to burns on their fists, shins, or even feet especially when training Muay Thai.

So now what?

In conclusion, if you want to have the best punching bag available within your personal budget to maximize your training, get an unfilled one, and have it filled according to your precise needs. This ensures not just the biggest bang for your buck, but also the best result from your training.

We have a ready team of fight gear professionals who are always ready to assist you if you need your own custom punching bag, or simply to answer any queries you may have on how to best select a punching bag for yourself. Drop us a WhatsApp text at your convenience for a quick chat with no obligations!

P.S. Check out the top 3 types of punching/boxing bags available for customization HERE!