Boxing Equipment FAQs

You want a bag heavy enough that it does not move around too much while you are pummeling it. For the average person, a bag in the range of 70 to 100 pounds should be heavy enough. The covering really depends on your budget and expected use. A leather bag will last longer than a coated canvas bag, but is more than twice the price. Our heavy bag size chart can help you narrow it down.

For the home user or commercial club that is unsure how much use the bag will get, we suggest a coated canvas bag. For professional, military or heavy commercial use we suggest a leather bag.

A double-end bag does not swing as much. Many people prefer a double-end bag for kicking. Some also prefer one for punching, especially if they don’t have a partner to hold the bag. The shock cord that attaches the bottom of the bag to the floor can always be removed to allow the bag to swing freely.

Think of your heavy bag as your opponent. The bag should be high enough to take a blow to the “head”, so the top of the bag should be about level with the top of your head. If you have a very short bag, you may need to adjust this height somewhat.

Unfortunately, this is normal. The combination of your punches and gravity causes the contents of the bag to settle to the bottom. The best option is to buy an outer cover for your bag. Placing your existing bag upside-down in the outer cover reverses the settling effect. Periodically you will need to flip the bag when the bottom starts to get too hard.

An unfilled bag is a good alternative, especially for international customers who do not want to pay the high cost of shipping a prefilled bag. Fill the bag with bits of rag or other soft material, and small bags of sand for added weight. Prefilled bags are hydraulically stuffed, so you will not achieve the same density filling a bag by hand, but we have not had an unfilled bag returned. Your local fabric shop may have material you can use for filler.

The size of the bag determines how fast it will be. Smaller speed bags require more coordination and skill. We recommend a middle-sized bag for beginners; intermediates and experts will probably want a smaller bag. When starting out, don’t fill the bag all the way, because the bag is slower with less air. As your skill increases, add more air. That way you don’t have to buy a bag to learn on and then a smaller bag a few weeks or months later. All you have to do is pump it up some more.

The bottom of the bag should be roughly level with your chin. A little variation should not affect your ability to use the bag. See our speed bag techniques for more on setup and rhythm.

Balazs products carry a one-year warranty from delivery to the original purchaser; see our warranty for the terms. If your bladder failed within that period, contact us. Replacement bladders, pumps and needles are in speed bag accessories.

To hit the speed bag, all you really need is a good wrap with a pair of hand wraps. To add more of a workout, you can use speed bag gloves with weighted palms, but they are not necessary to protect your hands. For the heavy bag, all you need is a pair of heavy bag gloves. Be sure to wear your hand wraps when hitting either bag. Browse our gloves and mitts.

Any glove you can use in the ring can also be used on the bag. If you plan to mostly hit the heavy bag and only occasionally spar, a training glove with a hook-and-loop wrist is a good choice. See our boxing gloves.

You only choose a hand size with bag gloves, and unless your hands are really large, a regular size should fit fine. For boxing gloves, the normal weight used in a bout is 10 or 12 ounces; check with the sanctioning body for your fight to make sure. Sparring gloves are usually heavier, which gives you more of a workout, and their extra padding gives your sparring partner more protection. Our glove size chart has the details.

See our step-by-step guides: wrapping hands for boxing and how to wrap your hands with the Wrapplicator.

Regular hand wraps are 100% cotton, so they barely stretch. Mexican wraps have some elasticity woven in, which lets them conform better to your hands and wrists. Shop hand wraps.

The Heavy Bag station can support up to a 300 pound bag. Depending on how well they are secured, our heavy bag wall and ceiling mounts can support the same. Bags over 150 pounds require a spring upgrade.

For the Double Base, we suggest at least a 13 ft × 13 ft space. For a Single Base with a station on either side, we suggest a 12 ft × 6 ft space. You can plan a layout with Build a UBS.

Yes, there is a charge for a custom-height UBS, and it adds 2 to 4 weeks to delivery.

Speed bag platforms are all about providing an excellent rebounding surface, which comes from a solid, vibration-resistant, heavy platform. Both drum sizes rebound very well, but the extra 10 pounds of the 30 inch drum makes it more vibration resistant. Both drums accommodate any size speed bag. Compare speed bag platforms.

See equipment for beginners and Boxing Basics.

Currently we do not, but you will find a gym directory at www.boxinghelp.com.

No, we do not give discounts based on the organization. Outfitting a gym, school or agency? Request a facility quote or see Government Sales.