A free standing punching bag is an excellent addition to your home MMA gym. If you want to avoid the permanence and bulkiness of a traditional heavy bag, a free standing heavy bag is a great alternative.
Here, I will give you my personal picks for the best free standing punching bags on the market. All of these options are perfect for heavy bag workouts, and don’t require any mounting.
Century Wavemaster XXL Training Bag
Guru’s Choice: Best Overall
The American-made Century Wavemaster XXL is my “Guru’s Choice” because it is tough, heavy, solid, and stable. In other words, it is everything I want in a sparring partner.
What I Love
- Cost-effective
- No-tools assembly
- Base fills with water or sand
- Large striking area
- Pro upgrade is marked with scoring zones
The Century Wavemaster XXL lives up to its name. I really loved the extra-large striking surfaces. No matter the skill I was working on, it took every punch, kick, and strike like a champ. The interior is high-density foam, and the exterior is a tough vinyl cover, durable enough for daily training.
It came completely assembled and ready to use within just a few minutes. I filled the base twice, once with water and once with sand. NOTE: This may be a personal choice, but I prefer sand as a filling over water. It just “feels” more stable.
Filled, the Wavemaster XXL is a 5’9″, nearly-300 pound beast. Its weight and stability were evident in every strike because I also felt the impact. Unlike a hanging bag, it let me throw flurries as fast as I could, without needing to pause and let it swing back into position.
Far and away, the Century Wavemaster XXL is my favorite bag on this list.
Check PriceRDX Kara XXL Free Standing Punch Bag
Best Budget Option
The RDX Kara XXL is my “Best Budget Option” because it gives me a great workout at a great price. I especially like the superior stability provided by the extendable suction-cup legs on the base.
What I Love
- Excellent entry-level price point
- Patent-pending stability technology
- The shock-absorbing connector disperses impact
- Available in multiple colors
- Training mitts included
The RX Kara XXL Free Standing Punch bag is the budget home training option that I wish was around when I was starting out in mixed martial arts. There is a lot going on here for such a low price.
The RX Kara XXL uses patent-pending “octa-truss” technology, with eight extendable legs and 17 suction cups to enhance stability and keep the base in place. The base can be filled with up to 265 pounds of sand or water.
At 6 feet tall and 43 inches around, there are a lot of places you can practice striking. The RX Kara XXL can take it — leather hide, reinforced double stitching, tear-proof nylon liner, and high-density foam padding are all standard.
The RX Kara XXL is my Best Budget Freestanding Punching Bag because it gives new fighters all the toughness and durability they need at an attractively low price.
Check PriceRingside Free-Standing Fitness Punching Bag
Best Space Saver
The Ringside Free-Standing Fitness Punching Bag is my choice for “Best Space Saver” because it is great for people who want to work out regularly but do not have a lot of room. This bag proves that good things can come in small packages.
What I Love
- Minimal footprint makes it ideal for use in smaller spaces
- Sleek, minimalist appearance
- Padded base for extra protection during kicks
- Rounded base makes it easy to move
If you live in an apartment or house where workout space is scarce, the Ringside Free-Standing Fitness Punching Bag should be at the top of your list. Only 66 inches tall and 15 inches around (28 inches at the base), this bag will fit almost anywhere, staying out of your way until you are ready for a serious workout.
Even though it’s small, the Ringside model can still take quite a punch. On the outside, it is covered by a durable vinyl shell, and on the inside, there is foam padding to absorb the impact of your blows. Unlike some other bags, there is even padding on the base.
The Ringside Fitness Punching Bag weighs under 180 pounds, so this bag is best for youths, beginners, and people with smaller frames. If you are larger than the bag, this is probably best used for light practice or cardio training.
The Ringside Free-Standing Fitness Punching Bag is the perfect choice for smaller home or office gyms.
Check PriceBuying Guide: How to Choose the Best Free Standing Punching Bags
There are a few things that go into choosing the best free standing punching bag for your needs. Why did I pick these particular free-standing punching bags?
Versatility
My MMA training involves more than just punching, I like to mix it up and use different martial arts styles, I look for bags that let me practice my entire repertoire of kicks and other strikes. Variety keeps me from getting bored or losing my motivation.
My favorite bags are tall and have large strike zones. Smaller striking areas limit the kind of training one can do. However, consider smaller, but good-quality bags that can easily fit into apartments and offices., because they still provide a good cardio workout.
Durability
I use my free standing punching bags a LOT, so I need one that handles the daily punishment of hundreds of blows without falling apart. I insist on tough, durable materials. Leather is my preferred cover material, followed by good-quality vinyl. Underneath, I need firm padding that does not deform or break down when I practice.
More than anything, look at how well a bag takes a strike without falling over or moving all over the place. Any bag is going to move when struck with enough force, but it should not tip over or slide across the room. In general, look for bags with heavier bases.
Cost vs Value
Look at the total VALUE of the purchase, not just COST. The goal is not to just buy the cheapest free standing punching bag. It’s better to pay a little more for a punching bag that will meet your needs than less for one that you’ll rarely use because it doesn’t suit your routine.
For example, the popular high end FightCamp system is one heavy bag that is high on the cost side but might be reasonable value (if you are using it with similar frequency to a boxing gym membership).
The Rest of the Best: Other Top Free Standing Punching Bags
If our top 3 choices weren’t for you, take a look at a few more on our list that gets the job done.
Everlast Power Core Bag
I could not review punching bags without mentioning the iconic Everlast Brand. For over 100 years, their name has been synonymous with top-quality fighting gear.
What I Love
- Established American company
- Weighs 370 pounds when filled with sand
- Round design allows for 360-degree workouts
- Adjustable height
- “Power transfer ring” absorbs impact and reduces sliding
What’s Meh
- Difficult to assemble
- Hard to move when filled
Everlast has been a trusted brand for over 100 years. For beginners, this is all the bag they will ever need. It is perfect for experienced strikers for practicing form, but save your haymakers for the heavy hanging bag at the gym.
There are two things that I really like about the Everlast bag. First, at 370 pounds, this is the heaviest bag on the list. Second, The innovative “power transfer ring” absorbs the impact of every blow, keeping the entire unit steady and reducing the risk of injury.
If you are looking for a “basic” heavy bag that will help you perfect your striking technique and footwork., the Everlast Power Core is right for you.
Check PriceCentury Versys Fight Simulator
I like the Century Versys Fight Simulator because it lets me work on other areas of my fighting game besides striking. It is a “punching” bag that lets you practice grappling.
What I Love
- Handles for knee-strike practice
- Suitable for ground training
- Comes pre-filled and ready to use
- Reputable American company
- “Natural rebound” design means realistic training sessions
What’s Meh
- At 100 pounds, this is very lightweight compared to other bags
- Not ideal for high-impact striking or strength training
One thing I really like about the Century Versys Fight Simulator is the fact that it can also be used as a grappling dummy. If you want to improve your speed, technique, and timing while also working on your ground-fighting game, this is the bag for you. I LOVE the handles on the top that let me practice some wicked knee strikes.
I appreciate that it arrives pre-filled with sand. Considering that some other bags take hours to fill by hand, this is a very pleasant convenience.
The Century Versys Fight Simulator is the only free-standing punching bag on my list that lets me practice throws and ground strikes.
Check PricePEXMOR Free Standing Punching Bag
The PEXMOR Free Standing Punching Bag makes my list because it is so quiet. It lets you train in your home or office gym without disturbing the people around you.
What I Love
- Stainless steel tube stand
- 12 suctions cups adhere to hardwood or tile floors
- Removable springs either reduce noise and vibration when installed, or create a more intense training session when removed
- The exterior is made of thick, durable PU leather
What’s Meh
- Suction cups do not stick to carpet or rough-textured concrete
- It takes a while to fill with sand
My favorite thing about this PEXMOR model is the noise, and vibration-reducing springs. I can get in a decent workout, day or night, without worrying that I am disturbing other people.
Because its overall footprint is less than 10 square feet, this bag fits virtually anywhere. You can still practice regularly, even if you have limited space.
Quiet, compact, and stable, the PEXMOR Free Standing Punching Bag is a great choice for small home or office gyms.
Check PriceCentury Original Wavemaster
The Century Original Wavemaster is on this list because it has been a top choice for fighters for over 25 years. It’s hard to beat an entire generation of consistency.
What I Love
- American company based in Oklahoma City
- Easy-to-move rounded base
- Adjustable height
- Base has a small 24-inch footprint
- Good resistance and rebounding
What’s Meh
- Striking area measures just 26 inches tall by 13 inches in diameter
- Time-consuming to fill, especially with sand
Can you tell that I am a big fan of American-made Century products? The original Wavemaster is smaller than the XXL, but this makes it a better option for smaller home or office gym setups.
My favorite feature of the original Wavemaster is the ability to adjust the height. It makes for a different training session every single time.
Century is an established and respected brand, and the original Wavemaster started it all.
Check PriceDripex Freestanding Punching Bag
The Dripex Freestanding Punching Bag made my list because it is extremely stable and quiet. The low price point makes it affordable for everyone.
What I Love
- The base has 12 suction cups for hardwood, tile, or smooth cement floors
- Dual PVC shock absorbers and 4 noise-reducing springs
- PU leather covering over high-density foam
- Removable base
What’s Meh
- Lighter than some other models, the Dripex bag weighs under 200 pounds
- The small opening means filling it with sand is extremely time-consuming
The Dripex model comes in at a nice price point and is a good entry-level free standing punching bag for beginning martial artists needing to work on their style and technique.
My favorite feature is how quiet this bag is. The shock absorbers and springs let me get an early-morning or late-night workout in without waking the neighbors.
If you are just starting out with MMA or boxing, you should strongly consider making the Dripex Freestanding Punching Bag one of your first training equipment purchases.
Check PriceRingside Elite
At 6’4″, the Ringside Elite is the perfect training bag for taller fighters. It has a generous striking area, allowing me to practice my entire arsenal of punches and kicks.
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What I Love
- Very large striking area, 62 inches tall by 17 inches diameter
- Padded area at the top of the base offers protection when practicing low kicks
- Removable foam collar changes rebound angle
- Very tall at 6’4″
What’s Meh
- Comparatively expensive
- Height is not adjustable
Most free-standing bags are too short for taller fighters, but that is not a problem with the Ringside Elite, one of the tallest bags on the market. This bag lets me practice all my strikes, from high kicks to low.
I especially like how the top of the base is padded and gives extra protection when I practice my low kicks. This is the kind of attention to detail that I appreciate.
If you are a taller fighter who wants 360 degrees of high-intensity training, the Ringside Elite is the free-standing punching bag you have been looking for.
Check PriceMytra Fusion Pedestal Bag
I included the Mytra Fusion Pedestal Bag on my list because it helps me train on throwing specific combinations. Muscle memory matters in mixed martial arts.
What I Love
- Numbered for training on throwing different combinations
- 6 feet tall
- Round design for 360-degree training
What’s Meh
- Not a lot of padding, so heavy gloves are a must
- Difficult to assemble
The ability to throw combinations automatically is a mandatory skill for any serious fighter, so the numbered cover is definitely a cool feature. I also like that the round design lets me move around the bag to practice strikes from different angles.
I also like the quality construction of the exterior cover. Made from triple-stitched PU leather, this bag is tough, durable, and handles my toughest blows without splitting or tearing.
If you are ready to start working on the combinations you would actually throw in a fight, give the Mytra Fusion Pedestal Bag a shot.
Check PriceClosing Thoughts
The only way to improve your mixed martial arts skills is to regularly train and practice. Unfortunately, it is not always possible or practical to go to the gym or spar in person, especially during these trying times.
While there will never be a substitute for facing another fighter in the ring, a free-standing punching bag helps you stay at your best when you cannot spar as often as you would like. If you want to stay at the top of your game, check out one of these best free standing punching bags.