If you are a mixed martial artist or an aspiring boxer, there is no equipment more important than a quality punching bag. Having the right punching bag will go a long way in ensuring that you have the right skills and the proper stamina. However, you will need to understand what to look out for in an ideal punching bag for you to find the best punching bag for you. Here is how to choose the right size punching bag for different people.
#1. The measurements
The first thing you need to do when looking for an ideal punching bag for you is to determine the size of the bag for you. While this is pretty simple to do, most people tend to ignore it.
For you to calculate the size of the bag that is good for you, all you need to do is divide your weight by two. In other words, if you weigh 200 lbs, then the best punching bag for you will be 100 lb.
Most people will opt for those punching bags that are a bit lighter, but all that depends on your objectives.
#2. The type of punching bags
There are numerous types of punching bags to choose from. One thing that you need to understand is that different types of punching bags have different capabilities. Therefore, before you set out to determine the best punching bag for your needs, you will need to make sure that you know your objectives.
Once that is done, the next thing is to familiarize yourself with the different types of punching bags that are available in the market. Some of the different types of punching bags to give a close check include:
- heavy bag
- free-standing bag
- reflex bags
- teardrop bag
- speed bag
- double-end bag
- body training and grapple bag.
#3. Skills and level of fitness
A punching bag that is ideal for a beginner will definitely not be ideal for an expert. This is because if you are a novice, it means you do not have a lot of power to use heavyweight bags. Besides, if you insist on making use of such heavy bags, you will have a high chance of hurting yourself.
When you are new into boxing, you should stick to the simple punching bags to help you learn the basics first.
On the other hand, if you have been in the punching business for a long time, then it will be useless for you to invest in light punching bags as they are not going to provide you with the stamina that you need. Instead, you should invest in a heavy punching bag.
#4. Punching bag users
A punching bag that is meant for young people will not work for grown people. In the same way, a punching bag that is meant for people training to shake off the excess weight will not be the best for professional fighters.
Additionally, you need to ensure that the size, shape, and weight of the punching bag you are about to buy will enable you to accomplish your objective. Besides the size, the technique you want to master if you are a professional boxer will also influence your choice of the punching bag. For instance, you can choose a heavy angle bag or heavy uppercut bag.
#5. The height of the punching bag
Ideally, you will need to make sure that you buy a punching bag that gives you an easy time when practicing. If you make the mistake of choosing a punching bag that is too long or too short for you, there are high chances that you will not reap the benefits of using a punching bag, and that is the last thing that you would want to experience.
A punching bag for female use may not work well for males.
A rule of thumb is that Thai fighters use long and tall punching bags while you have to buy your kids short and small punching bags.
