If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best heavy bag for cardio workouts at home is, then we recommend the Everlast 3 Piece Heavy Bag Kit as the best one.
If you are anything like me, you have no doubt seen the “Rocky” movies more times than you can count.
It is impossible to not even be slightly motivated when watching him sprint up those steps and vent all of his frustrations on that frozen slab of meat or heavy punching bag.
I personally prefer a punching bag, but we’ll get to that later.
As we have discovered more modern and innovative ways to tone up our bodies, many of the traditional methods have fallen by the wayside.
Gone are the days of the standard punching bag which was mainly a training staple for boxers. However, you don’t need to be an aspiring boxer to get aerobic and core benefits.
The heavy punching bag is making a comeback and you have several training options with this tried and true resource.
Let’s take a look at the benefits of using a heavy punching bag as well as a review of 5 of the best heavy bags on the market today.
Next, you’ll find out which bag we reveal is the best heavy bag and why.
Here are the top best heavy bags we’ll be reviewing:
- Ringside 100-pound Muay Thai Punching Heavy Bag
- Everlast 3 Piece Heavy Bag Kit
- Everlast 100-Pound Nevatear Heavy Bag
- Ringside 100-pound Powerhide Boxing Punching Heavy Bag
- Everlast Traditional Heavy Bag Kit
How Does a Heavy Punching Bag Benefit My Workouts?
Using a heavy bag as part of your workout routine has more advantages than you would think.
Take a look at the following list to learn some surprising facts.
Develop Core Strength and Better Balance
As you shift your weight, stay on your toes and simultaneously throw a series of punches to the bag, this helps you build stability in your core as well as whole-body coordination.
Develop Power
When hitting the bag, you have the opportunity to employ as many muscles as possible in order to throw the punch with the right technique.
The muscles involved are the shoulders, waist, back, arms and chest as well as the legs.
You are also using all of your power, which will increase with continued use.
This is why heavy bags have always been ideal for training boxers.
Increase Aerobic Fitness
If you maintain the right intensity when hitting the bag, you substantially push your cardiovascular system to its limit.
The simple process of circumnavigating a bag, while shifting body stance, corresponds to an aerobic workout.
Because fewer breaks are required, you save more time with this workout. One training session typically lasts for approximately 2 minutes.
You can gradually build this up to 3 to 5 minutes as your fitness increases.
Reduce Stress
How many of us have wished we could go home from a hard day at work or school and just punch something hard?
This is a good reason why hitting a heavy bag is a great way to let out pent-up stress.
Any exercise you do will help reduce stress and blow off steam.
However, boxing training is exceptional in that it is a physically strenuous and combative activity that requires extreme focus.
At the same time, you can safely beat up a lifeless object that won’t retaliate.
Thus, you are allowed to behave in a physical nature and vent the cortisol and other stress-related toxins out of your body that accumulate during those taxing days.
Build Self Defense Capabilities
Because the bag cannot strike you back, it is the optimal method to practice and refine your self-defense skills.
Picture the bag as an enemy and strike it as if you’re being attacked.
This activity will build the self-confidence you need to handle any real-life scenarios.
Improve Body Form
Training with weights is still the ideal method of building your body and muscles; however, punching a heavy bag still provides a superb means in which to incorporate muscle definition and shed body fat, particularly in your biceps, shoulders and back.
An Affordable Way to Get in Shape
All you need is a heavy bag, some wraps and a great pair of gloves to get a spectacular workout in.
Minimal equipment is required and you can easily put it all together.
Enhance Boxing Strategy
Your boxing technique will significantly improve when you work on the proper punching techniques and body movements.
Be sure to keep your muscles tight while staying calm. At the same time, be prepared to react.
Proper Precautions
Heavy bags are quite safe as a means of training your body and getting in shape.
As such, they do not generate much controversy regarding their use, if any at all.
They have been used throughout history for military and martial arts training.
As with any workout equipment, you need to learn how to use it properly in order the get the most from your workouts and prevent injury.
We also highly recommend checking with your doctor before starting any new workout routine.
Make sure you get a good pair of wraps for your wrist and ankles.
These will support your hands so that you don’t develop damage later on.
Next, buy a pair of boxing gloves from a reputable company.
If you are a beginner with the heavy bag, use a lighter pair, weighing about 10 ounces. As you become more experienced, you can then invest in some heavier gloves.
Always use proper breathing, form and technique.
Maintain a fighting stance and make sure your arm is at almost full extension when you hit the bag.
For the best results, we recommend hiring a personal trainer or coach who specializes in heavy bag training.
What to Look For in a Heavy Bag
You can choose between a water or sand model. Sand-filled bags are harder and more resilient whereas water-filled bags give you more kickback with minimum injuries to your hand.
These heavy bags are also available as free-standing or conventional hanging bags.
If you are looking to do kicking routines in addition to punching, a free-standing bag will work best.
This is why they are optimal for martial arts training.
For strictly boxing, you’ll want to choose a hanging model. Make sure that you set this bag up properly with chains on a sturdy wall frame in order to use it safely.
Review of the Top 5 Best Heavy Bags
Ready to go full-on Rocky Balboa?
Have a look at the top 5 heavy bags on the market today as well as our pick of the best heavy bag.
We’ve done all the work so you don’t have to when deciding to invest in this reliable and effective piece of workout equipment.
Ringside 100-pound Muay Thai Punching Heavy Bag
Ideal for professionals or amateurs, the Ringside 100-pound Muay Thai Punching Heavy Bag is a top-notch bag that will stand up to the most forceful attack whether in your home or professional gym.
Constructed from tough power hide, it is stuffed to 100 pounds with dimensions of 13″ by 72″.
Regardless of some negative reports, the majority of consumers found it to be an optimal heavy bag for boxing, MMA, Muay Thai and contact sports enthusiasts to perfect their strikes and techniques.
Pros
- Stuffed fairly well and even has a zipper in the top to add some filling if necessary later on. It’s also comfortable for kicking without pads.
- Great quality for the reasonable price.
- Nicely packaged – arrives protected in a canvas drawstring bag and then boxed.
- While notably skinnier than the majority of bags, it actually boosts hitting precision because it is a smaller target to punch.
Cons
- The stuffing sinks to the bottom after some time, making it unusable for kicks above the waist.
- Because of the long length, it tends to give in the middle.
- The stitching comes loose at the top of the bag.
Everlast 3 Piece Heavy Bag Kit
A well-known and trusted brand when it comes to boxing, the Everlast 3 Piece Heavy Bag Kit brings you a great 3-in-1 workout package for a hard-to-beat price (pun intended!).
The set includes a 100-pound heavy bag, a speed bag for enhancing quickness and hand-eye coordination, and the double end bag for practicing footwork, speed and accuracy.
Aside from the packaging issues, there were several very positive reviews from people who love the great quality items and different workout options.
Pros
- Good quality items for affordable price.
- You get 3 key exercise tools for the price of 1 heavy bag.
- Quality manufacturer.
Cons
- Packaging takes quite a beating during shipment, probably because of the 100-pound bag. As a result, however, the contents can become damaged.
Everlast 100-Pound Nevatear Heavy Bag
The Everlast 100-Pound Nevatear Heavy Bag is also crafted from Everlast, the experts in boxing equipment.
Assembled from durable man-made leather and webbed vinyl, the bag contains unique filler that delivers tough shock absorbency from the hardest of hitters.
Again, this manufacturer garners almost all rave reviews for outstanding overall quality and competitive pricing.
To address the chain and D-ring problems, you can purchase stronger chains and fixtures from any hardware store.
Pros
- Double-end attachment for increased resistance. Features a tie-down to the floor to reduce movement.
- Filling does not displace after repeated use, unlike cheaper versions.
- Versatile chain conforms to individuals of differing heights
- Includes the classic Everlast logo.
Cons
- The hanging straps and chains are quite flimsy which could be dangerous if they detach from the bag.
- Accompanying D-rings are also poor quality and break easily.
Ringside 100-pound Powerhide Boxing Punching Heavy Bag
Ringside is yet another dependable company specializing in boxing equipment and accessories.
The Ringside 100-pound Powerhide Boxing Punching Heavy Bag features a soft 2-inch foam liner supplies a comfortable punching surface for both amateur and professional trainers alike.
The Ringside bags provide quite a bit of competition with the more popular and prevalent brands and it shows. You get excellent value for money as well as a great workout for years to come.
Pros
- Features a sturdy chain and swivel as well as a D-ring on the bottom.
- The soft filler helps reduce injury and damage to wrists, elbows and shoulders.
- All stitching is sturdy. No shoddy plastic zippers – it is laced up.
- Well made and will not collapse or droop with time and repeated use.
- Appealing, timeless look & feel.
Cons
- Many people reported that the bag is still quite hard. As a result, full 16-oz gloves are required to safeguard hands and wrists.
- Some complaints about the stitching.
Everlast Traditional Heavy Bag Kit
While pros can also use it, the Everlast Traditional Heavy Bag Kit is more ideal as a starter kit for amateur boxers.
The set features a 70-Pound heavy bag, heavy bag gloves and 108″ hand wraps.
You can modify the height with the versatile chain.
This is a lesser priced bag, so it is imperative to keep in mind that you get what you pay for.
Even so, with a few modifications such as gorilla tape to protect the stitching, most people have gotten satisfying results from this piece of equipment for a very affordable price.
Pros
- Stuffed with a unique stuffing combo of natural and synthetic fibers along with sifted sand.
- You get free accessories in this kit, including gloves and wraps for shielding your hands against injury.
- Bungee cord is also included for adding increased resistance to the bag.
Cons
- Reports of the stitching and straps breaking.
- The accessories are great but don’t expect the kind of quality you would get in more expensive equipment that is purchased separately.
- Complaints about the bag arriving without the tape, gloves or bungee cord.
For the Best Heavy Bag, The Champion Is…
It was a tough choice for the best heavy bag since I love the classic style of the traditional heavy bags as well as the bottom attachments for increased resistance.
With that said, however, I am quite fascinated with the versatility of options I can get with the Everlast 3 Piece Heavy Bag Kit.
Therefore, this ends up as my pick for the title of best heavy bag.
I like to change my workouts around whenever I start to feel bored or unchallenged and this kit provides just enough options for me to switch up my routines and enhance different skills.
Moreover, I get all of this for a very affordable price and it is all great quality. Sounds good to me!
There are many workout options out there, which all provide excellent results.
However, if you want to go the classic route and get a great workout in while blowing off steam, a heavy punching bag would be the perfect tool for you.
Moreover, it sure beats pounding on a frozen side of beef (eww!).
