Revgear’s Ultimate Heavy Bag Guide

Over the Years, Revgear has had a lot of questions about heavy bags. In this guide, some of the most common punching bag questions are answered. Whether you are looking to get a bag for your home gym, or want to outfit a martial arts academy, Revgear has the right bag for you. Boxing, kickboxing, krav maga, Muay Thai, or any other striking art, you will find all the answers to your heavy bag questions.

Is hitting the heavy bag good cardio?

Working a heavy bag is one of the best cardio workouts you can do. Aside from all the other sport specific benefits, such as hand and shin conditioning, working timing, technique and range, the heavy bag offers a killer cardio workout. If you are looking to add to your normal gym routine, or want to mix up your cardio program, then a punching bag will definitely suit your needs. Set a number of rounds and a round length, then work the bag with the level of power you feel comfortable with. If you are just looking for a cardio workout, then there is no need to go heavy. The Revgear 4- foot Home Gym Heavy Bag fits the bill for any home cardio workout. 

Is hitting a punching bag a good workout?

Hitting the punching bag is one of the best workouts possible. The cardio element is just one factor. It increases coordination of the entire body, mobility, strength, power, and conditioning. Working kicks will open up the hips, and working heavy shots increases power. The body has to work as a whole to use a heavy bag effectively. There is no better piece of equipment for solo training and you can accomplish your fitness goals with a bag like the Revgear 4-foot Deluxe Heavy Bag. Make sure to add punch bag work to the rest of your program. 

Does the punching bag help me lose belly fat?

Working the punching bag will help you lose belly fat as long as you use it consistently. Setting aside a short block of training time a few days a week, rather than hitting the bag for long workouts every now and then, will yield impressive results. Fat loss is achieved through exercise and diet – it is about lifestyle choices, rather than a single activity. Hitting the heavy bag regularly in conjunction with other great exercise and consumption habits will help you to lose fat. 

Is it OK to hit the punching bag everyday?

It is OK to hit the punching bag every day, but that may not be the best plan, depending on what your purpose is. The heavy bag is an activity with various benefits, but should be used optimally in order to achieve your goals. A fighter may hit the bag almost every day as part of their training regimen, but they have worked up to that point under the guidance of an instructor. They will also work pads and spar. You may want to start slowly and factor in recovery time. How much you use the bag is another factor. If you are just hitting it for five minutes every day, then you will have no issues. However, if you are averaging 30 minutes to an hour each day, then you will not likely be able to work the bag like that every day.

Is it OK to hit a punching bag without gloves?

It is OK, but it might not be the wisest choice. Revgear’s bags are built of sturdy materials in the USA, so they can take a serious beating. Many other bags will get damaged from prolonged bareknuckle use. However, your hands, if not conditioned, will suffer from not using gloves. Karatekas and bare-knuckle boxers will hit the bag with force, but their technique has taken years of work. They have toughened their bones and knuckles over time. If a novice hits the bag without gloves, they have a high chance of injury, and will skin their knuckles, leading to open wounds that will take days, possibly weeks to heal, leading to time out of training. Consider using the S5 All Rounder glove to get the most out of your bagwork.

What is the best material to fill a punching bag?

Heavy bags can come filled or unfilled. The easiest, but most costly option is to buy a bag filled, so that the professionals have done the job for you. This costs more due to the filling process, materials and shipping. If you wish to fill the bag yourself, the best option is to buy shredded rags and sand. Get the sand and make tubular packages that you can add to the center of the heavy bag. Start by forcing in rags to the bottom of the bag, then place a sand tube in the center. Pack a layer of rags all around the sand tube and then add another tube, repeating the rag stuffing process until the bag is filled. Over time, you will need to add more rags, as gravity and striking does its work. The prefilled bags are hydraulically filled, so they will not need refilling.

Is a home punching bag worth it?

A home punching bag is an investment that is worth making as it means you can train at home without having to go to the gym. If you are serious about your training and you want to get extra work in at home, then having a bag of your own makes a lot of sense. You can implement what you have learned in class and drill it until you are proficient. If you can’t make it to the gym on a regular basis, then a home heavy bag should be a priority. If you want to supplement your general fitness regimen, and don’t want to pay for a martial arts membership, then having your own bag will pay for itself over a very short period of time. When you consider that a martial arts gym monthly fee is around $150, a heavy bag is a great deal.

What size punching bag is best?

The best size of punching bag for you depends on two factors: what you will use it for and how much space you have.  If you want to work only punches and body kicks, or your ceilings are low, then a 4-foot heavy bag makes the most sense. If you are looking to work low kicks into the equation, and you have the space, a 6-foot bag is a better option. If you are looking for something in between, then Revgear also offers a 5-foot punch bag that gives you a great intermediate between the two standard sizes. If space is very limited, the Revgear 3-foot bag is also a great choice.

How much does a punching bag cost?

The price of punching bags vary in price from a cheap sporting goods store $70 bag, to bespoke luxury bags that can run several thousand dollars. The best option is somewhere between these two. The cheaper option will be extremely light and you won’t be able to get a good training session on it. It will be much less durable and you will probably beat it up within a year or two. A good heavy bag is an investment, but you don’t need to break the bank. Revgear offers a good selection of high quality bags from between $200 and $300 dollars for a hanging bag. 

What is a good punching bag weight?

The weight of a bag is an important factor. Most high quality bags are around 130 lb. These offer the right amount of weight that they don’t swing too wildly when hit. The cheap bags that you can buy from big box stores are oven extremely light weight and do not provide enough feedback from each strike and are hard to control.

What is the difference between a light and heavy punching bag?

A light heavy bag swings around like crazy when you hit it. It is more suited to children or for working very lightly with punches. A heavy bag doesn’t move as much and gives you a real feel for landing your shots. If you are serious about your striking game, then you definitely want to go for a high quality heavy bag. 

What is the best punching bag for boxing?

There are several great types of punching bags for boxing. A standard 4-foot bag is the go to for most boxers, but there are other bags that are suited to boxing. The wrecking ball bag allows you to work angles and uppercuts on a dense sphere. If you want something between a wrecking ball and a standard bag, then a mushroom bag fits the bill as it has a longer shape, but allows for uppercuts too. If you want to go with a standard bag but be able to work uppercuts, then you can get a Revgear Uppercut donut attachment. If you have a great bag already and really want to get serious about your uppercuts, then a dedicated uppercut bag is also an option.

What shape is a punching bag?

Bags come in many shapes, from the standard straight bags, to the spherical wrecking balls. The freestanding bag allows you to have a high quality bag without having to attach it to a wall or ceiling. A teardrop bag is great for working knees and clinchwork. Another option is an uppercut and hook box, which attaches to a wall and is perfect for punchers. 

Is a heavy bag worth it?

You have to assess your needs, but a heavy bag is almost always worth it. For the price of less than a couple of months gym membership, you can have a durable, versatile piece of equipment that will last years. It is an investment in yourself and there is an option for everyone.