PUNCHING BAGS
The Punching Bag – An Essential Training Tool
They are used by virtually all combat sports athletes. The training possibilities a heavy bag offers are so extensive that it is indispensable for beginners and elite professionals alike. All experience levels incorporate heavy bag work into their training routines. Whether you are practicing your first jabs or throwing complex combinations, everything can be trained and improved on a proper punching bag. Large and heavy bags allow you to deliver powerful strikes to develop speed and strength. Smaller bags that swing more are ideal for improving footwork. Here’s a brief overview of what you should consider when purchasing a punching bag.
Leather Punching Bags – Built to Last
Before synthetic leather became common, punching bags were made from heavy canvas or genuine leather. Some leather bags are still in use today because a leather punching bag can last for many years. With proper care, you can train on it for a long time without worrying about the material. As a premium product, leather bags require a slightly higher investment—but it’s worth it.
Overview for choosing a punching bag:
- Under 90 cm length: Typically for children.
- 90–140 cm length: Standard bags for boxers. The shorter the bag, the more it swings—useful for footwork training.
- Over 140 cm: From this length onward, you can practice low kicks. These bags swing less due to a lower center of gravity.
How Do You Fill a Punching Bag?
If you purchase an unfilled training bag, you’ll need to fill it after delivery. Despite the name “sandbag,” these bags were never filled with sand. Sand would make them far too heavy and hard. Over time, the sand would compact and become as solid as a wall—resulting in injured joints instead of improved technique.
You can use textile scraps as filling. Old clothes can be cut into pieces and stuffed into the bag. A good guideline is approximately 10x10 cm pieces. Remove buttons and zippers beforehand—they must not go into the bag, as hard parts can damage the outer shell. The textiles must be tightly packed. Use the rounded end of a broom handle for compacting, as sharp objects could damage the exterior.
If you prefer a firmer bag, you can mix textiles with rubber granulate. Note: This will make the bag significantly heavier and harder.
Filled Punching Bags – Delivered Ready to Use
We offer filled punching bags for all performance levels. The advantage of a pre-filled bag is convenience—you don’t need to worry about filling it yourself. Our bags are filled with textiles and checked for any foreign objects. You can start training immediately. Filled bags are delivered by freight service, and shipping costs are already included in the price.
Aquabag Punching Bag – Water Is the Future
A relatively new alternative is the so-called Aquabag. These are large water-filled bags made from reinforced vinyl. The vinyl is very thick and absorbs every strike effectively, giving the Aquabag a high-quality feel. Aquabags are filled with water. When you purchase one, it is delivered unfilled, and you add the water yourself. Most manufacturers include a filling nozzle to make the process easy and safe.
Once filled, the bag becomes significantly heavier and more stable. Because of the water, it moves less and absorbs impact very effectively. It’s best to transport and mount it with two people.
The advantage of Aquabags lies in the combination of the outer shell and water filling. The striking feel is very natural—even with powerful punches. The water absorbs the impact, while the bag itself swings only slightly. With a water punching bag, you can vary your training extensively. It is compact yet heavy, making it ideal for uppercuts and all types of hooks. The impact is absorbed, allowing you to immediately follow up with the next combination.
Aquabags are mounted like regular punching bags—either from the ceiling or a wall bracket. Due to their high weight (up to 90 kg), you must always check the load-bearing capacity of all mounting components.
Advantages of Aquabags:
- Very natural punching feel, even with heavy strikes
- Easy filling with water
- Requires less space
- Minimal swinging
Train ONLY with boxing gloves. You must not train on an Aquabag without gloves, as your knuckles would suffer quickly. We strongly advise against training bare-knuckle. In our shop, you’ll find a wide range of punching bags and boxing gloves. If you plan to train with a water punching bag, make sure to purchase a good pair of boxing gloves as well.
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