Finding a suitable punching bag to fit inside a small apartment can often be hard. Finding the BEST punching bag for apartments gives you a smaller selection from the start.

Plus, punching bags tend to be pretty damn loud...

That being said, there’s definitely some great, quiet options out there. However, you’ve just got to sift your way through those enormous bags that we’d all love to have.

Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place.

We’re going to take a look at some of the best punching bags for apartments. These bags won’t take up a lot of room, and will be some of the best quiet punching bags, which will allow you to throw down some serious workouts from home.  

Let’s get to it, with fresh updates for 2024!

Quick Look

Bit of a disclaimer... this article goes pretty in-depth on how to choose a decent bag as well as covering 8 different options. 

To save you a bit of time, below is a quick look at our top picks:

What Should You Look for?

Before we start to look at some of the top apartment punching bags, let’s discuss what we should look for when buying a punching bag.

Type of Punching Bag

First of all, there’s a ton of different types of bags out there. In this article, we’re going to focus on three main types that I'll elaborate on below.

Size & Space

The size and space of the bag is also going to be an important factor and will often be restricted by the amount of room you have in your apartment.

If you’ve got limited room, it’s probably a good idea to find a relatively small bag that can be stored away with ease. With that in mind, free standing bags tend to be the better option. This is due to the fact you can place it on it’s side, and roll it where it needs to be.

Does it Come Filled or Unfilled?

When shopping for a punching bag, you’ll often come across filled and unfilled variations. I would highly, highly recommend going for the filled option. This is because filling your own punching bag is somewhat hit and miss, and is more than likely not going to be as good.

That being said, unfilled punching bags tend to cost a lot less, and if you’ve got some fabric lying around at home, can massively reduce your costs.

Check out the video below to see how you can go about filling a punching bag if that’s your preferred option.

Durability & Material

Due to the nature of a punching bag, it’s important to find one that is made from durable material and has a solid build.

Typically, genuine leather bags to be last the longest, however they’re more expensive and are becoming less and less common.

Price

As with the vast majority of things with life, when it comes to punching bags, you get what you pay for.

Cheap bags from an unknown brand are more than likely to fall apart or become misshapen after a few uses.

Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place as our list will go over some options at a range of different price points.

Noise

If you’re living in an apartment, there’s a good chance you’ll have neighbours living above, below and to the side of you.

With that in mind, finding a quiet punching bag suitable for an apartment can be a good idea, as to not fall out with anyone living around you.

The bad news is that punching bags tend to be fairly loud.

The good news though…

Is that we’ve done our research and found some of the quietest punching bags out there, so you’ll be all set with any from this list.

You could even attempt to sound proof the room as well, however that’s a lot of effort and will add to your cost.

Brand

This kind of ties in with my point about price. When investing in a punching bag, it’s often a wise move to go with a trusted brand that has a lot of experience and a plethora of happy customers.

By going with a respected brand you know, you’ll stand the best chance of being happy with your punching bag.

At the end of this list, I’ll discuss some of the most popular brands and where you can find their stuff.

This way, if none of the listed options take your fancy, you’ll be able to browse some other top quality bags.

List of the Best Quiet Punching Bags for an Apartment (Hanging)

We’re going to start this list of by looking exclusively at hanging bags, then at free standing and we’ll finish off with some other, less conventional options.

Century Heavy Bag Stand with Speed Bag Platform

First up on our list is the Century Heavy Bag Stand with Speed Bag Platform. This is a sort of all in one solution for anyone looking to get both a high quality heavy bag and speed bag in one. This is one of the best speed bag for apartments options you can find.

Although a bit of a premium price, it is incredibly well constructed, and its design is perfect for conserving space.

If you’re set on getting a hanging heavy bag for your apartment or home, this setup is perfect. Plus, this stand comes with a built in speed bag platform to further add to your work outs.

It also has pegs on the bottom in which you can add weights to help keep the stand in position. Recommended to keep at least 50lbs of weight on each peg for maximum stability.

In terms of the heavy bag, you’ve got the choice of using anything up to 100lb. If you’ve got a pit of power behind your punches, going for the 100lb is probably the best option. For home use, this is about as heavy of a platform as you can find.

Now, I know you’re probably thinking…

How the hell is this going to fit in my apartment?

Despite looking fairly big, when set up, the station has a fairly small footprint, able to fit into the corner of most bedrooms, offices, or even tucked away in your living room (great for getting exercise in during TV commercials).

Ringside 65lb Punching Bag

Up next we’ve got the Ringside 65lb heavy bag, which is an absolutely brilliant bag, fairly compact and is made by one of the most reputable names in boxing.

You’ll need your own stand or a suitable beam to hang the bag from though, as this one doesn’t come with a frame. It does however come with the chain and swivel required to hang it from your desired location.

In terms of it’s quality, you’ll struggle to find better.

The bag features 2 inch thick foam padding, which makes the bag comfortable to hit and reduces the impact felt on you hand. This is ideal if you’re new to boxing, and may not have the proper technique, as the bag will be fairly easy on your hands.

Powerhide leather (a fancy name for synthetic leather) has been used to construct the bag. Although not genuine leather, it’s definitely more that durable enough for home use. In fact, I’ve seen these exact bags in gyms all over the place.

Due to the fact that this bag weighs in at 65lb, it’s overall size isn’t too bad, measuring in at 14" x 42". This is relatively small when compared to some of the other bags out there, making it a great choice as one of the best punching bags for any apartment.

One thing to bear in mind though is that this bag is extremely light, so if you've got a bit of power behind your punches, going for a bigger size is definitely recommended.

Maxxmma 5' water/air heavy bag kit

This is on my favourite bags, purely due to it’s versatility.

While it may look a little strange at first, the MaxxMMA Water/Air Heavy Bag is designed for boxing, MMA and Muay Thai.

You’ve probably noticed the widened base of the bag. You can work on the clinch position, while still having a target area on the wide base to cushion your knee strikes and low kicks.

Yes, a traditional boxing work out is going to get you burning calories, but throw in some clinch work, knees and kicks, and you’ve got one intense workout.

Admittedly, it’s probably not for everyone, but if you want a good, well-rounded work out from the comfort of your apartment, this is a fantastic choice.

MaxMMA have mixed the use of water/air bladder, which is designed to endure endless hours of punishment, in addition to giving more of a lifelike feel. They’ve also implemented a heavy duty, synthetic leather shell to reduce the impact felt from your strikes.

Also, one bonus that’s pretty good, is the added bonuses. Not only do you get this big (and hose and pump to fill it), but you also get gloves, hang wraps and a jump rope. This will allow a full body workout and some cardio. Use the jump rope to amp up your workouts and give yourself the feeling of pushing to your limits! This helps make it a solid choice for the best punching bags for apartments.

Free Standing Options

Now we’ll take a look at some brilliant free standing options that are perfect for apartments.

Ringside Elite

The Ringside Elite Free Standing Bag is an exceptionally good punching bag suitable for any experience levels.

One of the best aspects about free standing bags is that they can be longer than hanging heavy bags. The Ringside Elite for examples has a ton of surface area that can be worked with punches, high kicks and low kicks.

The bag itself features a spring loaded design. This allows it to swing back and forth when it has been struck, preventing it from toppling over. It also allows you to work on your timing, as when the bag swings back, you can time you’re punch and get used to hitting a moving target.

One thing worth mentioning here is that the bag’s spring can get loud after a few months of usage. You’ll need to apply something like WD-40 to reduce the noise, however that’s not too big of an issue.

A Vinyl casing is used to construct the bag, laying over a dense shock-absorbing foam padding. This makes the Ringside Elite extremely comfortable to hit, and reduces the chance of sustaining an injury to your hand.

Unfortunately, this bag is somewhat expensive, however the quality and design more than make this bag worth it’s hefty price tag.

If you would like some more information, check out our full Ringside Elite Fee Standing Bag Review.

Century Powerline Wavemaster

Century are an extremely reputable brand of different equipment and are known to produce top of the line punching bags.

Their Wavemaster line has an array of different models, two of which we’re going to discuss...

First up though is their Powerline, which is perfect for apartments for a number of reasons.

Firstly, it’s pretty small, especially when compared to some of the other bags. For example, the bag has a diameter of 17 inches, which is big enough to provide a solid build, but small enough to comfortably fit inside an apartment or flat.

The second feature that makes this particular bag ideal for small areas is it’s adjustable height capabilities. The bag itself can range from 47-68 inches in height. The taller the bag the further it will swing when it's hit, therefore you can reduce the height if you’re working with limited space.

As the name suggests, the Powerline is capable of withstanding explosive, high powered shots. This is particularly ideal if you’re looking to unload on your bag in a high intensity training session.

What’s more, the bag’s base can be filled with up to 270 lbs of water or sand, allowing it to stay in place nicely without sliding or tipping over.

One thing to mention here though…

The higher you make the bag, the less stable it becomes. As you increase the bags height, it’s center of gravity becomes higher, meaning it is easier to knock over.

So a quick tip…

If you want to work on your power, keep the bag at its lowest height, as this will be the most stable.

All in all this a great bag, relatively small and more that suitable for training at home or in an apartment.

Century Aerobic Wavemaster

The second, and final Century model we’re going to take a look at is their Aerobic Wavemaster.

Unlike the Powerline we just discussed, this bag is designed solely for cardio based workouts, not high powered strikes.

This is due to the fact that it’s significantly lighter, weighing in at around 170 lbs, which in turn can be both a good thing, and a bad thing.

This is good as it’s easy to move around, which is ideal if you need to hide the bag away after you’ve finished using it.

On the other hand, the bags lightness means that it can be easier to knock over, especially if you’re loading up your strikes.

With this in mind, definitely consider this bag only if you’re looking to partake in some cardio-boxing routines or looking to develop your technique from home.

As with most highly quality free standing bags, it’s height is adjustable, allowing you to match the bag to your preferred height. As I mentioned earlier, the taller you make the bag the easier it will be to knock over, especially as it’s designed solely for aerobic exercise.

Finally, this is one of the cheaper bags you’ll come across, making it great option if you’re shopping on a budget. 

We've also got a full Centuy Wavemaster review & comparison you can read if you'd like to see some more information and other Wavemaster models. 

Other Types of Boxing Bags Suitable for Apartments

Ok, now it’s time to look at some of the less conventional punching bags you can get your for apartment.

Title Boxing Rapid-Reflex Boxing Bar Tri-Bag

This is a nifty little multi function bag perfect for apartments.

The only requirement is that you have quick reactions, otherwise you'll wind up with a reflex bar to the cheek. And even if you don't have quick reactions, you'll soon learn!

The beauty about this is that it can easily be set up (takes 5-minutes), used, taken down and stored out of site.

The two in one part of this bag is what makes its value shine above the rest. This allows for a pretty versatile work out, as you can both work on your hand speed, reflexes and cardio without having to get different pieces of equipment.

On the down side is the fact that some people do not prefer the spring loaded function of the main bag. This isn’t going to allow for the same use as a proper speed bag platform.

However, if you’re limited by space and are dying to work out, this definitely fits the bill.

What’s more, this is incredibly budget friendly and provides great value for money. Overall, very clearly one of the best two in one punching bags for apartments.

Quiet Punch Doorway Punching Bag

To finish up our list we’ve got another doorway punching bag, that sports a very different design to the one we just looked at.

Now this is probably the most unconventional option our list. Despite being a bit different, this bag excels in its simplicity.

It can be up in a matter of minutes and taken down just as quick. The bag itself is made from durable materials, and the frame even has a phone holder. This allows you to watch workout videos, motivational videos or even tutorials whilst you’re working out.

As the name suggests, this bag is designed to be extremely, extremely quiet. It has done this by not utilizing any chains like regular punching bags do. Instead, it makes use of durable nylon material to keep it in place.

Once taken down, it’s incredibly portable, allowing you to work out on the road, which is especially handy if you’re travelling a lot.

While a bit different, this bag is undoubtedly designed for small spaces, making it an ideal option for anyone looking to work out on a punching bag at home, and clearly one of the best punching bags for apartments you can find.

Benefits of Using a Punching Bag

If you’re still contemplating whether or not you want to set up a punching bag in your apartment, below are a few benefits you can receive if you take the plunge.

Develop Technique

If you fancy yourself a bit of a Rocky Balboa, you’ll need the technique to match. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect, and by having a bag at home, you can practice whenever you like.

Great Cardio

There’s a reason why cardio-boxing classes have exploded in popularity over the last couple of years….

And that’s because they provide an intense, cardiovascular workout.

Are you looking to shed a few pounds and get in better shape, but don’t want to make the daily journey down to the gym?

Well you’re on the right track, as setting up a punching bag at home will definitely help to shed a bit of winter weight (providing you’re eating a healthy diet).

Practice Self Defense

Having a punching bag at home is a brilliant way to touch up yourself defense skills.

Considering the plethora of information readily available online, you can easily get to grips with the basics, without even attending a class.

Of course, the best way to learn is to go in person, but it’s definitely possible. Similarly, if you are a regular down the gym, you can practice what you learn in class at home.

Improve Power

If you’re looking to improve the power behind your punches, having a bag at home is the perfect way to do this.

By repeatedly throwing high power shots, you’ll continue to develop the muscles in your upper body that are used when throwing an explosive punch.

Admittedly, this won’t happen overnight. But with regular training and a bit of dedication, you’ll definitely be able to see your power improving.

Popular Brands

If you haven’t found a bag that takes your fancy, below are some popular brands that are worth checking out.

The Verdict

Right, then which bags to we recommend best for an apartment? Well, cover three different options below:

Hanging Heavy Bag: Everlast Heavy & Speed Bag Station: Considering how much you get for your money here, it really is a no brainer. The set up is built to a great standard, offers both a speed bag and a heavy bag and won’t break the bank.

Free Standing: This is a tough one as we covered some pretty fantastic options. With that said, our top pick is the Ringside Elite. This bag is built to last, is easy to set up and has a large surface area that can withstand high powered strikes.

Door Mounted: We’ve rated the Quiet Punching Bag as our top pick for the door mounted punching bags. It’s perfect for apartment thanks to it’s quiet design and how easy it is to step up.

Well there we have it.

Thanks for taking the time to read our list of the best punching bag for a small apartment. If you have any questions, let us know in the comment section below.

Sources:

• https://blogs.rdxsports.com/guide-fill-empty-punching-bag/
• https://www.boxitout.com.au/2017/07/19/boxing-benefits-men/
• https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a19545278/3-powerful-boxing-workouts/