Hanging vs Freestanding Heavy Bag

Hanging Heavy Bags

Hanging heavy bags are awesome and incredibly popular. But why is this? How are they unique and what benefits and faults do they have?

 

What Are Heavy Hanging Bags?

Hanging bags are designed with a cylinder shape. They’re generally filled with either sand, water or foam. You’ll find them in various lengths, widths and weights, giving you a range of choices to suit your power, height and available space.

Available within all budgets, the best hanging bags’ outer layer is made of leather. This high-quality material tends to resist the most infuriated punches. Their main distinctive feature is that they’re suspended to the ceiling using sturdy metal chains. 

 

Why Hanging Bags are a Popular Choice

Most experienced boxers choose hanging bags due to the following reasons:

• Swinging motion.
• Greater resistance.
• Multiple workouts.
• Durability.
• Don’t take up space.
• Budget-friendly. 

Swinging Motion

Hanging models force you to use your feet to work around the bag, making them perfect for practice kickboxing, muay thai or even taekwondo. You get to work on your defense and offense skills, just like in a real fight.

When boxing, footwork is critical. Your feet should follow the movements of the bag. When it swings away, bring a foot closer, when it comes towards you, take a step back.

This video should help you get more familiar with footwork:

In addition, these bags help improve coordination since you need to know at which stage of the swing you should be hitting it again. 

 

Greater Resistance

A hanging boxing bag is typically heavier than free-standing ones. This means that it has more resistance, and you’ll be able to punch harder. If you’re looking for resistance training or build muscles, the heavier, the better.

Additionally, no matter how hard you punch, your bag won’t tip over. If you live in a small home, a heavier bag won’t swing around as much and so not colliding with anything.

 

Multiple Workout Types 

Unlike floor-standing bags, hanging bags are ideal for versatile exercises. Professionals and experienced boxers can alternate between all kinds of boxing techniques, from footwork to power/strength and speed drills.

You’ll even find designs aimed to practice uppercuts. This is achieved by hanging the bag horizontally, allowing you to punch — or kick — from underneath. 

 

More Durable

As they’re heavier, they’re made to withstand more powerful strikes. For this reason, they’re usually more durable than free standing punching bags.

 

Don’t Take up Floor Space

Since they’re hung from the ceiling, they don’t take up floor space. You can even chain them horizontally to the ceiling using a hook and chain.

How is this helpful? This is super useful for still being able to store belongings underneath. If you own a short hanging bag, it can even be installed in a kids’ play area.

Children will be able to play while your bag is still attached. Just make sure to spot-check the attachment point regularly. When they’re tall enough to reach the bag, they could even attempt a few punches themselves!

 

Budget-Friendly

For the same weight, length and quality, hanging types tend to be more economical than free standing ones. The concept of a swaying bag is more simple and, therefore, less expensive.

Even if you need to purchase a beam and extra tools for suspension, they’d still be more affordable. If you’re getting started and need to buy all your boxing equipment at once, every saving counts. 

 

Limitations of Hanging Bags

Some of these drawbacks might be a game-changer for you. Even if not, you should be aware of these factors:

• Tricky to install.
• Take up swinging space.
• Limited portability.

Uneasy Installation

The main inconvenience of hanging bags is their setup. Additional equipment might be necessary to get it hanging properly. For example, a ladder, screwdriver, pliers, drill and more are generally used to install this type of bag.

First, you need to install a robust beam and drill holes to secure it. Some models weigh over 150 pounds, so ensuring a solid and stable foundation to suspend your bag is critical. The support beam should be able to support at least four times the weight of the bag.

You then have to lift the bag and attach it using the chains. If you don’t have another set of arms available to help, this can be difficult to do. 

Although installing them isn’t an impossible mission, it’s a lot more complicated than using a free-standing model.

 

Swinging Space

While the cylinder bag itself isn’t overly large, the space it needs to swing on all sides safely needs to be taken into account. 

It’s best to plan a free range of 5 feet all around your bag. This way, you’ll be able to give your best punches and kicks without worrying about what the bag could hit.

 

Limited Portability

Technically speaking, you could take your bag off the chains after every use to save some space. In reality, once you’ve managed to install it, it’s unlikely you’ll take it down regularly — especially if you’re using it consistently.

So, ideally, you need to think of a dedicated and permanent emplacement. This location shouldn’t be near where you’re carrying out day-to-day activities.

 

Free-Standing Bags

Free-standing bags carry some significant plus points and are very popular among boxers. But, how exactly are they different from hanging bags, and what are their pros and cons?

 

What Are Free-Standing Bags

Free-standing boxing bags are positioned directly on the floor, meaning no suspension is needed. Most models are cylindrical, but other shapes are available to suit your preference. 

The bag is placed over an empty base, which is filled with either sand or water to weigh it down. Some models are designed with a spring above the base, which allows the bag to bounce back faster once hit. 

 

Many Perks

While freestanding bags don’t match hanging ones’ long history, they still have some significant advantages:

• Easy installation.
• Easier on the knuckles.
• Ideal for low striking.
• Good portability.
• Require less space.
• High versatility.

 

Easy Installation

Converse to hanging bags, free-standing heavy bags are simple to install. You’re only a few minutes away from working out when receiving the package.

Some bags come already filled with sand and are generally a one-piece product. Although it isn’t always simple to transport, you’ll be able to use it as soon as you get home.

Other models come in a package of two pieces — the base and the bag — making it easier to carry in a small car. Most of them are sold with an empty stand, which you’ll need to fill on your own, with either water or sand. If your bag doesn’t come with the needed fillings, they can be purchased separately.

The base comes with a mounting hole to place the free standing bag in. Once you’ve loaded the base, lift the bag and insert it inside the stand. Compared to other types of bag, that’s as little assembly as it can get. 

When placed on carpeted floors, no further assembly is needed. If you’re using it on hard flooring, however, many products include suction cups. The main objective of these is to prevent your bag from lifting off after receiving a strike.

 

Easier on the Knuckles

All punching bags can be somewhat tough on your hands and knuckles. This is the main motivation behind hand-wraps and boxing gloves. Free-standing bags, however, tend to be made with more flexible foam.

It may not make a huge difference after a few punches. Yet, if you’re training for an hour or more, your hands should feel the difference. 

 

Ideal for Low Kicks or Punches

Hanging bags are great for middle and high kicks. Depending on the length of your bag, they aren’t best for low kicks. 

On the contrary, free-standing models can be hit just above the base. If you’re considering practicing muay thai, this is something to take into consideration. 

If you’re worried about practicing head kicks, larger free-standing bags should allow you to strike at head height.

 

Good Portability

What makes free-standing bags distinctive is their portability. The two-piece models are easily disassembled, saving space until your next boxing session.

Many one-piece models include wheels to move them around your home as needed. After the first assembly, you won’t even have to lift the bag anymore. Simply grab it, and push it to its destination. 

The stand can be the most challenging section to transport. The larger the base, the more water or sand it will contain, and the heavier it’ll be. To easily move it, here are a few simple steps:

• Empty the sand or water until you’re comfortable lifting one side.
• Tilt the stand over, at a 90-degree angle.
• Roll the stand until it’s in the storage space.

 

Require Less Space

Your free-standing bag won’t only save you room by putting it away after every use. It also moves differently. Unlike the suspended variation, this one only moves from the base. The result is more control over where it swings, and, therefore, it won’t require as much free space surrounding it.

 

Highly Versatile

This type of bag comes in many versions to allow different types of workouts and a more realistic fighting experience. 

Although they’re designed for lighter punches than hanging models, products with larger bases should still be able to manage powerful strikes. The smaller the stand, the more likely it is to tip over after a strong kick. 

You’ll also find versions with a spring located between the bag and the base. For those wanting to practice speed and coordination, these models will bounce back much faster. 

If you’re looking for a realistic fighting scenario, choose one that’s in the shape of an opponent’s torso. Other options even come with grabbing handles for knee kicks. No matter your preference, the old school, classic cylinder bag can be as efficient as fancy models.

 

On the Flip Side

Despite free-standing heavy bags being so awesome, take into account some of these factors:

• Lower resistance.
• Less durable.
• Don’t need as much footwork.

 

Lower Resistance

Compared to suspended bags, and no matter how heavy the base is, they’ll withstand less power. The bag itself may tip over, and you may have to pick it up after every heavy punch. In this case, you’ll need a partner holding it while you’re striking.

This might not be a deal-breaker for beginners. For anyone looking to build muscle or power, however, this is an essential aspect to take into account.

Lower resistance also signifies that it’ll bounce more and you’ll have to wait until it stabilizes again to proceed with your next punch. This doesn’t make the most efficient cardio exercise.

 

Less Durable

Simply put, free-standing bags aren’t meant to be punched as hard as hanging ones. And so, they’re generally built with less durable material than hanging bags. 

Some users report the spring may become noisy, making squeaking sounds. Over time, it may become loose or even break. This boils down to the quality of your purchase, so never take the cheapest option — you get what you pay for. 

 

Less Footwork

Because these bags move differently — from the bottom rather than the top — you won’t be able to rotate around it in the same way you would a hanging bag. Your defensive or offensive footwork will be much more limited.

 

 

Hanging or Standing?

Both standing and suspended bags are great tools for boxing routines.

Generally speaking, most experienced boxers enjoy the high resistance of hanging bags. They get to work on power, footwork and speed.

If you’re tight on space or need to install the bag on your own, a free-standing model might be more convenient. Although they may not be as stable as suspended ones, a heavy base should keep it up for most beginners’ strikes.