Free standing punch bags

[JamesH]

Apologies for the non Haye/Audley/Anthony Small nature of the post but…

I'm looking at getting a punch bag in at home but am a little restricted as I haven't got a suitable ceiling for a hanging bag, and my Mrs doesn't fancy having the bracket sticking out of the bricked exterior. I know from experience that they aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, but I have been looking at the wide range of free standing bags and wondered what others experiences of these are?

Any links to a tried, tested, and trusted free standing bag would be gratefully received…. Or are they generally ineffective? In short, I’m looking for any feedback on free standing bags! cheers

[Asterix]

I actually, honestly thought this was a topic about Audley Harrison.

[banjo]

I actually, honestly thought this was a topic about Audley Harrison.

So did I, I was thinking "another Audley joke" :)

[stujones]

Depends on what you fill it with. I've used sand on my Protec one and I think its the bee knees. Never had it topple, but I broke the metal weld once!

[JamesH]

James, I've never used one in this country but when I was serving overseas alongside the Yanks, they had a Wavemaster XXL in one of their gyms. I had a go on it and I would say it was not ideally suited for me as a tall, heavyweight because whenever I tried to really set about it, it would be on the verge of toppling over and I had to ease off. Smaller, but capable, guys who were striking it lower down, did not seem to have the same problems as me and it stood up to prolonged, heavy abuse.

Cheers MM, v helpful as usual. I'm 5ft10, weigh about 11 stone so it may suffice for my needs... Just been looking that one up, it looks fairly solid as a bag, it costs a bit more than than avg from what I can see (for the xxl version at least - about £250 unless anyone knows any better?). The non xxl version is around £100 cheaper but 100ibs lighter when filled...

The thing I like about the tube-type is you can work around it as opposed to a frame-stand which looks like it allows you access to about 50% of the bag.

Anyone else used any of these tube-type bags?

[JamesH]

Depends on what you fill it with. I've used sand on my Protec one and I think its the bee knees. Never had it topple, but I broke the metal weld once!

Woh, must have been having a bad day that day hah..

Were you able to repair it? How long have you had it? Can you remember cost? I'm trying to work out the minimum I can pay for one that is comfortably good enough for the job! Thanks for response..

[Asterix]

Cheers MM, v helpful as usual. I'm 5ft10, weigh about 11 stone so it may suffice for my needs... Just been looking that one up, it looks fairly solid as a bag, it costs a bit more than than avg from what I can see (for the xxl version at least - about £250 unless anyone knows any better?). The non xxl version is around £100 cheaper but 100ibs lighter when filled...

The thing I like about the tube-type is you can work around it as opposed to a frame-stand which looks like it allows you access to about 50% of the bag.

Anyone else used any of these tube-type bags?

Just checked, and you can get it for £213 from here: http://www.sportmegastore.com/spms/mia/ ... afid=88888

[SAPFO]

Got a Reebok one in garden. Technich (sp?) mainly as it does move when I smash it. Can get a good sweat on still.

[stujones]

Depends on what you fill it with. I've used sand on my Protec one and I think its the bee knees. Never had it topple, but I broke the metal weld once!

Woh, must have been having a bad day that day hah..

Were you able to repair it? How long have you had it? Can you remember cost? I'm trying to work out the minimum I can pay for one that is comfortably good enough for the job! Thanks for response..

I bought it from a BM advert, surely pushing 10 years ago. I cannot remember the cost. Yeah fixed the weld... remember phoning Protec and they were shocked shocked shocked (but impressed!).... asked for my name and said they look forward to reading about me in the future! Protec would have repaired it, but I think (Memory is a bit hazy) I got my Uncle to re-weld. It wasn't a wear and tear thing - I do enjoy going on outings with my mates and hit those scoring punch bags in the amusement arcades - I hold my own.

No issue since. The only thing I am a little weary is it can sometimes hurt your hands if you catch it right. Sometimes if you catch it right, you can go "through" the foam and hit the metal that the foam is around. Its rare but it hurts like hell when it happens, but I do have piano fingers and knuckles and I've never had any lasting damage. Overall, I think they smash the ceiling jobbies.

[johnty1888]

I actually, honestly thought this was a topic about Audley Harrison.

Hahaha Quality

[JamesH]

Cheers Asterix... thats great, close enough to the £200-ish I'd set aside :) Has anyone used sportmegastore before? Just making sure they're reputable!

Thanks Carl, just looked up that reebok one and (if im looking at the right one) it costs around £200 so its an option...

Stu, fair play, you must have had mixed feelings about breaking it - pride tinged with sadness lol.. interesting you say about them smashing the ceiling bags... I'd always thought of them as a poor relative, but it seems that isn't always the case. Cant find the protec version of the bag now though, maybe discontinued....

Thanks everyone for feedback!! I think the Century Wavemaster XXL from http://www.sportmegastore.com is winning at the moment but keen for more feedback if anyone has any more comments.

[Asterix]

Cheers Asterix... thats great, close enough to the £200-ish I'd set aside :) Has anyone used sportmegastore before? Just making sure they're reputable!

I'm glad you are. I've never heard of them, but they do give their full contact details on their website, which is one of the main things to look for when buying online.

You could always think of a question to ask and then call them up: http://www.sportmegastore.com/spms/abou ... ontact+us/

[dsimpson]

I got a red tube-type one off ebay for £100 and its pretty good. It rocks about a bit, though not enough to be a nuisance and the metal screws are struggling but its well worth it.

*Plus I am an extremely hard hitter, so I'm sure it'd be fine for the average man...

[Short-Left-Hook]

You can purchase free standing punchbags in the shape of a person, I think their called BOBs, They're pretty good for working speed and accuracy shots, but no good to unload on!

SLH

[Britannian Stallion]

If you had one of these in a block of flats would it drive the people below you crazy (shaking the floor etc.) or would it be ok?

[rockyrandall2]

Take a look here....lots of choice....

http://www.sugarrays.co.uk/shop/freestanding-bags.html

[brasso]

Wavemaster xxl is what i have and think its ace. Fully filled with water i think its 16 stone, bit more with sand. I use thin rubber gym mats under it and find that helps with the movement of the bag. I use it as for kick boxing. If your knocking that over your a beast!!

[Asterix]

Wavemaster xxl is what i have and think its ace. Fully filled with water i think its 16 stone, bit more with sand. I use thin rubber gym mats under it and find that helps with the movement of the bag. I use it as for kick boxing. If your knocking that over your a beast!!

What is yours filled with? Is sand much better than water?

[m1kee50]

my two cents... i dont use a heavy bag indoors, I save that for the gym. I use a double-end bag indoors as they take up no space whatsoever, one mount in the ceiling and a heavy free weight to hold it to the floor. easier on the hands and its worth getting the accuracy/speed/technique right, the power follows from that.

for stamina work I use the speed bag in the gym, at home or mid-run I use exercise bands, like big elastic bands you loop them round your arms and punch through the resistance of them, add weighted gloves to that, you are getting a workout - i use 1 kilo weights for each hand

[Bard of Boxrec]

I saw a Lonsdale heavy bag with ceiling hook in a sports shop in Stafford for £35 ish, from about £120... but I asked myself, just what type of domestic ceiling is appropriate for this???

My mate had one at uni and I used to take it into the basement where there was a mysterious hook already in the ceiling. I punched the bag but it literally shook the whole house so I had to stop. Does anyone have any experiences with this type of bag? would be interested to know.

[m1kee50]

I saw a Lonsdale heavy bag with ceiling hook in a sports shop in Stafford for £35 ish, from about £120... but I asked myself, just what type of domestic ceiling is appropriate for this???

My mate had one at uni and I used to take it into the basement where there was a mysterious hook already in the ceiling. I punched the bag but it literally shook the whole house so I had to stop. Does anyone have any experiences with this type of bag? would be interested to know.

depends how much damage you want to do to your ceiling - get in there and find the joists, beef it up a bit and you should be good.

[Hagler2002]

Buy Scott Belshaw, he is a punchbag and you get the added bonus of him having a head.

[stujones]

Buy Scott Belshaw, he is a punchbag and you get the added bonus of him having a head.

Toppels over too quickly though.

[tonyevs]

I saw a Lonsdale heavy bag with ceiling hook in a sports shop in Stafford for £35 ish, from about £120... but I asked myself, just what type of domestic ceiling is appropriate for this???

My mate had one at uni and I used to take it into the basement where there was a mysterious hook already in the ceiling. I punched the bag but it literally shook the whole house so I had to stop. Does anyone have any experiences with this type of bag? would be interested to know.

Got my heavy bag in the garage. Strong alu box section secured onto 4 joists for stability and a hook in middle to hang the bag/floor-to-ceiling bag on.

I am not a fan at all of the free standing types. I honestly thought they were only targeted/suited towards the keep fit market?
Used one at a gym (not boxing gym) and found the base a nuisance for when you step in with the shorter punches. Much prefer the hanging bag.

[brasso]

Wavemaster xxl is what i have and think its ace. Fully filled with water i think its 16 stone, bit more with sand. I use thin rubber gym mats under it and find that helps with the movement of the bag. I use it as for kick boxing. If your knocking that over your a beast!!

What is yours filled with? Is sand much better than water?

Water mate. Suits me for all round strikes. Can see why folk who just want to box might find it a bit static. Nice bit of kit IMO. I'm 6,3 and 15 stone and the height the bag stands is spot on for me.