Expert: Alan Kahn - 12/5/2007

Question
Could you tell me what the best heavy bag and stand to be used indoors? (garage)My Son has expressed an interest in boxing and I wanted to get him started on the right foot.  
Thanks,
Tim

Answer
Hi Tim,

It's great meeting a Dad that wants to help his son in a fitness project together.

But your question as it is phrased is not exactly easy to answer, for the bset heavybag might depend on the age, size and training intent of your son, - and - because there are multiple ways to "hang" a heavybag, depending on the location and construction of the area.

First, let's look at a bag: There are lots of different bags, fills and styles, along with different weights.

Most people can use a bag from 70-100lbs. If you son is young teenager, I'd lean toward the lighter side of that, if he is a pretty big and strong kid, perhaps get the full 90-100lb. Only a serious and very strong pounder/puncher (kicker) needs one of the 120lb and over bags.

The "fill" (what is inside the bag) also has choices, and for the regular fitness puncher, I would only recommend the softer foam and water filled choices. They are much more forgiving on the hands (covered with quality training gloves).

With that, I would suggest these bags as a few good choices.

70-lb water-foam heavybag
http://www.ringside.com/detail.aspx?ID=25873

70-lb soft filled heavybag
http://www.ringside.com/DETAIL.ASPX?ID=25259

100-lb Soft filled
http://www.ringside.com/DETAIL.ASPX?ID=24793

80 - 100-lb water foam bags
http://store.titleboxing.com/title-classic-foam-and-water-heavybag.html

Of course, many sporting goods stores also carry various brands of heavybags. Just be sure to get one with a "soft" inside fill. Don't let some salesman tell you "a harder bag is better for the hands..." or some other garbage. You don't need a hard filled canvas bag.  

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Now for the hard part:  Where and how to hang the bag. Here I can't be too specific because it really does depend on your garage construction and layout. Free swinging HeavyBags can be hung from Rafters, wallmounts, free standing frames. (there are floor mount bags, which is later below..)

If you want (and can) hang it from a Rafter or Wall area, here are some hanging solutions:

Heavyduty wall hanger
http://store.titleboxing.com/hbhdw.html

for Rafter or beam solutions, try here:
HB accessories
http://store.titleboxing.com/heavy-bags-heavy-bag-accessories.html

or here
http://www.ringside.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=2385

If you will need a stand alone "heavy bag floor stand" to hang the bag, (I'm not a big fan of these..) you have a few choices:
free standing frame
http://www.ringside.com/detail.aspx?ID=25858

free standing frame
http://www.ringside.com/DETAIL.ASPX?ID=24686

Free standing frame
http://store.titleboxing.com/title-professional-freestanding-heavybag-speedbag.h...

Freestanding frame
http://store.titleboxing.com/title-everlast-heavybag-speedbag-stand.html

If at all possible, I would stick with a wall or rafter hung option. But that is my own choice, and if your garage won't allow it, then a stand is your best option.

But not your only option. You COULD also get a floor mounted heavybag,  such as these:

Freestanding bags
http://store.titleboxing.com/heavy-bags-freestanding-bags.html

Inflatable floor standing bag
http://store.titleboxing.com/titleboxing-title-inflatable-punching-bag.html

free standing HB.
http://www.ringside.com/DETAIL.ASPX?ID=24650

I have used several versions of these, and they work OK, except they do tend to "creep" on the floor. Other than that, they work very well.

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other than the above, to get him started on the "Right foot", emphasize safety:

Handwraps
http://www.ringside.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=2374

Boxing training gloves
http://www.ringside.com/boxinggloves.aspx?CategoryID=2368

The above are absolute necessary when hitting any type of heavybags, or you can easily sprain a wrist of thumb.  

other links
http://www.balazsboxing.com/cgi-bin/catalog2.cgi?action=page&page=in%20the%20gym...

I hope this helps you and good luck with setting up a heavybag in your garage. Hopefully you and your son get spend some great workout time together.

Alan Kahn
author, The Speed Bag Bible