When it comes time to do some training for heavy hitting, you need to have a bag that can stand up to some punishment.
- Editor's Choice: Everlast Nevatear 100lb Heavy Bag
- Best Heavy Bag Kit: Everlast Heavy Bag Station & Kit
- Best for Muay Thai: Outslayer 130lb Heavy Bag
- Outslayer 100lb Heavy Bag Set
- Everlast Omni Strike Heavy Bag
However, there are hundreds of different brands and types of bags that you have to choose from. Today we're going to take some time reviewing the best heavy bags on the market right now.
We know that it is not enough to say that one bag is better than all the others. Remember, heavy bags have different uses, so we came up with a review of the best bags based on how you’re going to use them in training.
As always, let’s get to it.
| Image | Product | |
|---|---|---|
 | Editor's Choice Everlast Nevatear 100lb Heavy Bag
| VIEW ON AMAZON →SEE CUSTOMER REVIEWS → |
 | Best Heavy Bag Kit Everlast Heavy Bag Station & Kit
| VIEW ON AMAZON →SEE CUSTOMER REVIEWS → |
 | Best for Muay Thai Outslayer 130lb Heavy Bag
| VIEW ON AMAZON →SEE CUSTOMER REVIEWS → |
 | Outslayer 100lb Heavy Bag Set
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 | Everlast Omni Strike Heavy Bag
| VIEW ON AMAZON →SEE CUSTOMER REVIEWS → |
 | Ringside Power Hide Heavy Bag (Unfilled)
| VIEW ON AMAZON →SEE CUSTOMER REVIEWS → |
 | Best Value Everlast 70lb Heavy Bag
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 | Ringside Long Heavy Bag
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 | Combat Sports Long Heavy Bag
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 | Flexzion Heavy Bag
| VIEW ON AMAZON →SEE CUSTOMER REVIEWS → |
Types of Heavy Bags
Basically, there are two kinds of heavy bags that you will find for the most part: free standing bags and hanging heavy bags.
Free Standing
A free standing bag is a setup that has a base that is filled with sand or water and a bag that is mounted on top of the base.
This is very useful for people who want the experience of working with a heavy bag but do not have a good place to hang one.
Hanging Heavy Bags
These are definitely the more common iteration of a heavy bag. It can either be mounted to a wall, hung from the ceiling, or from a specialised heavy bag stand.
The main benefit is that these bags are able to swing back and forth so that you are able to work on timing as well as heavy strikes.
We are going to concentrate on the heavy hanging in this list, but we also have the best free standing punching bags if you are interested in a free standing bag.
Primary Benefits of Using a Heavy Bag
Lets take a look at some of the benefits from heavy bag work outs.
Improving Power
When you are looking to develop power, you need a bag that can withstand the punishment that you are going to throw at it. Heavy bags are made to take explosive and powerful strikes so that you can practice landing them in a real contest.
Since these bags let you throw strikes at full force, you will be working the muscle groups that are associated with those particular punches and kicks. Heavy bag workouts will allow you to train core muscle groups such as your arms, shoulders, back, chest, and legs so that they can get stronger and build necessary muscular stamina to continue a fight. After all, the chances are low that you are going to take someone out with a single hit, so your body has to be ready to throw powerful strikes for an extended period of time.
It is important to keep in mind that practice does not make perfect: perfect practice makes perfect, so you have to mind your technique while working to develop your power.
Developing Technique
Think of the reason that you are training in the first place. You want to develop the technique of your strikes so that they are more effective. You prepare for a fight by working on combinations of strikes that mimic what you would expect to throw in a real contest.
You can punch, kick, knee, and elbow heavy bags in any combination you want. So the heavy bags give you unlimited ways of honing your strikes so you can throw quick and heavy punches on the same target.
Improved Fitness
Have you ever seen what happens when a fighter is worn out? Their punches are weak, their kicks are sloppy, and their technique just goes out the window. Physical fitness, specifically your stamina, is one of the most underrated parts of training for many fighters.
Working on the heavy bag will let you train to throw heavy strikes so you can work on developing more stamina. It is certainly more fun than a jog around the block and lets you get used to fighting with a declining reserve of strength and energy. Now, let’s check out some of these bags.
List of the Best Heavy Bags
Everlast Nevatear 100lb Heavy Bag – Best Heavy Bag for Boxing
If you have ever stepped into a ring or even watched a match on TV., then you have seen Everlast’s brand. We consider the Everlast Nevatear the best heavy bag for boxing because it combines durability, size, and comfort with each strike.
The bag’s high level of durability comes from several areas. First, the bag is coated in in premium synthetic leather. When you strike bags over and over again, they will show their age. Nothing is worse than getting a bag and having it start to look like it is falling apart after a few hours. The Nevatear is reinforced with synthetic webbing to prevent that look while providing long-lasting durability.
Also, when you have a hanging bag, one of the areas that are likely to break down first is the straps that attach the bag to its hanging chain. The straps on this model are reinforced nylon and will keep this area of the bag from breaking down and needing to be replaced.
Speaking of the comfort for this bag, it is filled with sanitized synthetic materials and natural fibers that will absorb a lot of the shock from your strikes. This allows you to throw heavy strikes without it hurting or risking injury. Finally, this 100lb bag is about 59” in height and has a diameter of 13.25”, more than enough of a body for you to land some serious attacks.
Taking all of these different things into account, there is no doubt that this is a great heavy bag for people training in boxing.
Pros
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No products found.
Everlast Heavy Bag Station & Kit – Best Heavy Bag Kit
Everlast is a company that tries to provide ways for everyone to train. That continues to be the case with the Everlast Heavy Bag Station & Kit, which gives you everything you need to get started training on a heavy bag.
It can be troublesome and annoying to find somewhere to hang your bag, so Everlast included a stand kit so it can be set up anywhere.
From what we have seen, this is the best heavy bag kit that you will be able to find. It includes the Nevatear heavy bag in the kit, a 100lb bag that uses synthetic leather coating to be able to withstand hard strikes.
The stand is strong and easy to build, everything that fighters like to hear. It is powder-coated steel tubing that can hold a 100lb bag just like the one that Everlast is going to send you with the order. The max bag size that this can hold is 57”L x 47.6”W. So even if you eventually want to throw a new bag on this stand, you know that it will fit well.
If you are a person that wants to get everything done at once, then this kit is perfect for you. You can get a bag, stand, gloves, and wraps in one nice package.
Pros
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No products found.
Outslayer 130lb Heavy Bag – Best Heavy Bag for Muay Thai
Alright, here is one of the big boy bags. Without a doubt, this is the best heavy bag for Muay Thai.
Every practitioner of Muay Thai knows that you need a longer bag so you can land strikes from the lower leg to the head. That is why Outslayer has developed this bag, giving you options to kick and punch a bag that measures 72”, mimicking the length of most people.
One thing that jumps off the page about this product is that the brand gives you a 10-year warranty. What does that tell you? It tells me that you can beat this bag to death for 10 years and the company still believes that it will hold together. That is called having faith in the product.
The bag is made in the United States by using high quality vinyl material and filled with fabric so that it is not like punching cement. The vinyl material that coats the outside of the bag is very strong and can withstand all kinds of punishment that you throw at it.
Now, if you have used a bag for heavy training before, then you know that sometimes the filling starts to separate in certain areas. You get some places in the bag with clumps and other areas that are just gaps. The materials that are used by Outslayer in this 130lb bag do not form these clumps or gaps, so you can keep using it with no worries.
Overall, the durability of this bag cannot be called into question. You can even fill the bag so it weighs up to 300lbs if you desire, and the reinforced straps will continue to bear that weight.
If you would like to find out some more information, head over to our full Outslayer Heavy Bag review.
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Outslayer 100lb Heavy Bag Set – Best 100lb Heavy Bag
Not all of Outslayer’s bags are built for Muay Thai like the previous bag. This 100lb variation combines the same high quality with a smaller bag that is perfect for boxers. So if you are a boxer that wants the same great qualities of the other Outslayer bag, then this is definitely the one for you.
This American made bag is designed using heavy duty vinyl that can take some serious blows without showing signs of wear and tear. The bag has a height of 55” and will hang another 6” with the straps on it. Again, this bag comes with a tremendous warranty of 10 years that guarantees the bag will last for this long with typical wear and tear from use.
One of the best aspects of this bag in particular is the fact that it comes pre-filled. This saves a ton of time and hassle getting the filling inside the bag yourself. Plus, the chances are the guys over at Outslayer know a bit more about filling a punching bag than us lot, so it's definitely going to be filled to a higher quality.
All in all, the bag combines the high quality and durability that is common with the Outslayer brand. For all of these reasons, we have deemed this the best 100lb heavy bag on the market today.
That said, as with all Outslayer gear and equipment, the 100lb heavy bag does sport a fairly hefty price tag. Although expensive, the quality and durability paired with the 10-year warranty makes the price tag worth every cent.
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No products found.
Everlast Omni Strike Heavy Bag – Best MMA Heavy Bag
It should be no surprise to see Everlast appear on this list again. The Omni Strike bag was developed as an attempt of Everlast to branch out into the world of MMA, and boy did they make a splash with this bag. As the name suggests, you can use just about every form of striking on this bag and it will feel right to you.
You will notice that the bag looks a little unusual since the bottom of the bag is heavily padded. This bag was developed so you can perform low kicks on that section of the bag with safety in mind.
Also, the handles at the top of this bag allow bag allow you to practice working in the clinch and transitioning to the ground, where you can then work on your ground and pound.
There are very few bags out there that are this versatile, and the fact that Everlast took the time to develop this bag is a testament to their willingness to work with people of all fighting backgrounds.
Let’s take a look at some of the specs. The bag is made from premium synthetic leather that is common in Everlast bags. The leather provides great durability and a comfortable striking surface to boot. You can hit this bag for hours on end and it will still look as good as when you pulled it out of the box.
The bag comes with the Nevatear shock absorption as well, letting you strike with greater comfort and less worry about injuring yourself in the process. If you are used to hitting bags that feel like they are too stuffed, then this bag is a great way for you to feel high quality.
Overall, the Everlast Omni Strike Bag is the best MMA heavy bag because it has durability and versatility that remains unmatched by other bag makers. Let’s take a quick look at some of the pros and cons that we were able to find along the way.
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No products found.
Ringside Power Hide Heavy Bag (Unfilled)
Have you ever punched a heavy bag at the gym and it feels like your knuckles and wrist are going to explode? That is a shoddy bag that cheap gyms buy to have something for you to hit. It is not the high quality bags that you should be getting for your home.
The Ringside Power Hide Heavy Bag is a product that is designed just for you to keep at home so you can stay away from those cheap gym bags. This bag comes with a durable exterior shell made from Ringside's "Power Hide" material, which can withstand a good amount of battering before showing signs of wearing down.
The bag is fairly long, 42”, so Ringside recommends this both for Muay Thai and boxing practitioners. When filled, heavy bag will be able to support a weight of up to 100lbs, making it a pretty sizeable bag.
That said, if you're filling the bag with textiles and fabrics, it will likely weigh around 70lb once filled. To make it heavier, you can always add sand, but the chances are it'll all fall down to the bottom.
It comes with chain attachments that uses reinforced stitching to keep them from tearing from the top of the bag. Also, the bag has a D ring on the bottom, allowing it to transform into a large, double end bag. While Ringside is not a very flashy brand, they definitely build their products to speak for them.
Considering the high standards that the brand has set for itself in this case, we think that the Ringside Power Hide Heavy Bag is the best unfilled heavy bag you're going to find. It is highly durable, easy to hit, and can last a long time even if you beat on it every day.
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No products found.
Everlast 70lb Heavy Bag – Best 70lb Heavy bag
I know what you are thinking: another Everlast bag?
Well, they tend to make bags to a ridiculous standard, so it is no wonder they showed up on our list of the best once again. This bag is one of the best 70lb heavy bag around with it is strong, versatile, and shock absorbing build. Also, it's insanely affordable, which makes it a big hit amongst beginners looking for their first bag.
The Everlast 70lb heavy bag is filled with the same great materials used in their other bags, a mix of sanitized synthetics and natural fibers. This filling is great because it has enough resistance to take a hit without creating hollows within the material. In other words, you can beat this bag and it will be ready for more.
The outside of the bag is made of a synthetic polycanvas that isn’t like the cheese grater-like canvas that cheap bags have. It is both durable and comfortable when you strike it. Speaking of great durability, the straps for the bag are made of their reinforced nylon. The wear and tear from being rocked by heavy kicks and the occasional superman punch won’t wear through the straps, fortunately.
You can expect to keep this bag around so long that you might want to consider naming it. And with all of the different little things about this bag, it deserves a good one at that. The bag comes with a double-end attachment at the bottom, letting you introduce a little variety to your workout if you convert it into a double-end bag.
The bag also has an adjustable chain that you can use to increase change the height as you need it. The Everlast 70lb heavy bag weighs 70lbs, is 53” in height, and13.5” in diameter, giving you a lot of area to hit on a bag that does not weigh all that much.
Overall, you can expect great training sessions with this bag.
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No products found.
Ringside Long Heavy Bag – Best Heavy Bag For Kick Boxing & Muay Thai
The Ringside Long Heavy Bag might sound like an unoriginal name, but they called it like they saw it. The bag is definitely long, with a length of 72”.
That is about as long as most people, so you can really work high and low on this and expect good results. As for heavy, the bag weighs 100lbs when it comes to your home prefilled, so it is also plenty heavy to be taking some devastating blows.
Now that we got past the basics, let’s take a look at what the bag is made from. The bag is coated in Ringside’s power hide material, so it can take a beating and all day without crumbling to pieces. It is also soft enough that you can hit it without gloves, and the lack of patches on the outside of the bag means that there is practically no way for you to get scraped knuckles.
The inside of the bag has a softer filling that has a tendency to get firmer after you break in the bag. This is not going to get so firm that you will not want to strike it, but do not expect to get a bag that will not have a lot of resistance. After all, it weighs 100lbs and is made for long and hard training sessions.
This heavy bag is great for kicking and punching. The length lets you work out with kicks to the legs, body, and head areas, and is heavy enough to develop your power strikes. Considering these elements, we have found that the Ringside Long Heavy Bag is the best heavy bag for kick boxing.
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No products found.
Combat Sports Long Heavy Bag
As the name suggests, the Combat Sports Long Heavy bag is built with many different types of fighting styles in mind. The bag is designed for amateurs and professionals alike, and comes with some pretty interesting aspects.
The bag is designed with synthetic leather that is easily cleaned and comfortable to strike. The leather will hold up to a lot of vicious strikes without forming those annoying cracks in its surface.
The length of the bag and its weight make it perfect for people who are practicing everything from MMA, Muay Thai, and boxing. However, it is pretty clear that getting this particular bag just for some boxing practice might be considered overkill.
The bag is 100lbs with dimension of 72 inches in length and 13 inches across for a large striking area that is similar to the height of a human being. That makes it great for working on combinations of lower leg kicks followed by a strong blow to the midsection.
All in all, this is a very good bag for you to use for a wide variety of combat sports. The price point may be a little high for amateurs, but the quality more than makes up for the initial investment for this product.
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No products found.
Flexzion Heavy Bag – Best Cheap Heavy Bag
Last but certainly not least, we have the Flexzion Heavy Bag, a bag that is known for being an affordable alternative.
First things first, this bag is not going to be an Everlast, but it still has a fair level of quality to it. Also, the bag is about as ugly looking as they get, but you are going to be hitting it anyways so it doesn’t matter that much, right?
It has the familiar heavy duty canvas material that we have all developed some callouses on, but it is tough and firm enough to take hits without ripping apart. Now, you have to fill this bag yourself- that is part of the deal. You can fill it with textile rags until you get it to the firmness and weight that you want it to have.
Still, not everything about the bag is standard. It has a nice 360 degree spinning chain and swivel that lets you get a pretty good basic punching and kicking workout on. The bag is 39”L X 11.8’W, which is a moderate size all things considered. It should more than suit your needs for boxing.
Overall, the Flexzion Heavy Bag is the best cheap heavy bag that we could find. It has some middling quality and takes some punishment without ruining your bank account. If you are looking to get into boxing or maybe want to get a spare bag, this could be the one for you
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No products found.
What to Look for in the Best Heavy Bags
Now that we have taken a look at the best heavy bags on the market, it’s time to take a closer look at the things that put some bags above others in terms of quality. Let’s start by taking a look at the filled bags versus unfilled bags.
Filled VS Unfilled
Filled
Alright, most bags that you buy today are going to be filled and that is usually a very good thing. Companies like Everlast use their own special blend of filling that is suited to the particular bag. It is firm but has enough give so you don’t snap your wrist on a strong punch.
You have to make sure that bags you purchase pre-filled have a material that you will want to use for a long time because these bags tend to last for years. So, the downside is that you cannot change the filling of the bag once you get it. The good news is that if you get a high quality bag, you will not want to change the filling.
These bags tend to be a little more expensive, but you can take them out of the package, hang them up, and start breaking them in immediately.
Unfilled
Unfilled bags are less common, but they come with the benefit of you being able to put in any filling that you want. If you are an expert fighter and know what kind of filling that you want to use for a particular form of training, then you can fill it on your own. Combined with a high quality bag, you can create a heavy bag that meets your precise needs.
The benefit of these bags is that they tend to be cheaper since you are using your own filling. More often than not, I use textile rags for their price and feel. Conversely, these bags take some more time to get up and running unlike pre-filled bags. If you are on a budget or know exactly what kind of filling you want, then these bags are definitely the right way to go.
Quality and Material
This should go without saying, but just in case you need a good reminder: quality is the most important aspect of a punching bag. If you want a $20 heavy bag, you can probably find one but it will be stuffed with socks and cut your hands when you punch it without gloves.
Materials quality is very important, providing comfort when you strike the bag and also giving it the power to stay around and take punishment. Personally, I have found that genuine leather is the best materials. It has the highest quality, tends to be a little more on the expensive side, and will certainly outlast other materials. Still, unless you have the money to spend on an all-leather bag, you can get by with synthetic leather or other materials and be perfectly happy.
That being said, many of the modern heavy bags use a synthetic material that is great in terms of durability and being able to strike it without scrapping your hands. It is not quite as good as genuine leather, but it is more than good enough that it is included in warranties that last almost a decade.
We looked at the quality of the materials that are used in every one of the bags that we examined throughout this article. With the exception of the cheapest bags, we made sure that we guided you towards bags that were made of the best stuff available.
Price
You get what you pay for. That is the maxim that all martial artists and most people live by when it comes to buying products. You will definitely find that the more expensive products are the better ones, and the products that cost less than half of their competitors will suck.
If a bag is being made cheaply, then the cost is being cut from somewhere. Oftentimes, the price will be cut form the materials that are used in the construction of the product. You might get a bag that is made from synthetic fibers instead of synthetic leather, for example. This could be the difference between a bag lasting for two years or five years, so it is important to check out what the bag is being made from before you buy it.
Remember the golden rule: if something is too good to be true, then it probably is. Bags do go on sale from time to time, especially discontinued ones, but don’t expect to get a good bag for really cheap.
Brand
Brand is usually a good indicator of the kind of quality that you can expect from a company. I am not saying to never give a no-name brand a shot, but if you are looking for a sure thing in terms of quality, then stick with the ones you know best. We looked at some of the best brands out there for this article, and you really can’t go wrong with any of them.
Basically, if you have read through all of this information, then you have a good idea of what brands are the best ones out there. So, for a quick refresher on these brands, we are going to take a quick look at them.
Best Heavy Bag Brands
If you are ever unsure about which brands you want to buy for your heavy bags or any fighting gear, these brands are a good place to start.
Like any other company, they do some things better than others, but their overall level of quality is hard to beat. They are the names that have been in the world of fighting for years and they show no signs of slowing down now.
Everlast
If you have seen a professional boxing match in the last 40 years, then you know Everlast. Everlast was founded in 1910 with the goal of creating long-lasting sportswear, but grew to boxing gear. Their gloves were on Dempsey’s hands in 1919 when he won the championship belt, and the brand has been on everyone’s minds ever since.
Ringside
Ringside is a company based in the UK with a focus on boxing gear. They provide top quality accessories, gloves, bags, and other gear for serious boxers. Their products are can be found on local boxers and legends alike, which sport the quality products with pride. The Ringside brand is also utilized in training by the Royal Marines which is a pretty stunning endorsement.
Outslayer
Outslayer does not mess around. They believe in being the best or nothing at all. Their company started small but has grown to be a worldwide provider of quality gear. You can find Outslayer in hundreds of fight schools because they use top quality materials to make all of their gear. They offer guarantees on most of their products and will go above and beyond to ensure that the company’s good reputation is maintained.
How To Use A Heavy Bag
Now that you've found the perfect heavy bag, lets look at some example work outs you can try out.
Work Out Break Down:
Mistakes To Avoid:
Our Final Thoughts
We have examined all of the best heavy bags for a variety of different elements of training.
After reading this whole list, you should have a pretty good idea of what you are going to look for no matter what you need from your heavy bag. Muay Thai or boxing, veteran or new guy, cheap or expensive- you can find the best of them all on our list.
So when you are shopping for a heavy bag, we hope that you are able to use this review to make a well-informed decision about the products that are available to you right now. If you have any comments or questions, drop us a line and we will get back to you.
Thanks for checking out our review!
