A punching bag (or heavy bag) is a great way to improve your stamina, burn some calories and get some frustrations out all at the same time. The question is…Where should you hang your punching bag and how safe is it to do so?
While a punching bag can be safely hung from a basement ceiling, you must choose a strong enough support beam capable of holding the weight. An easier choice is a stand-mounted weight bag that sits directly on the floor and thus avoids being attached making it possible to move it around as desired.
The good news? You don’t have to hang your punching bag in your basement as there are other places to do so. Plus, you can also choose a model that sits on the ground on a stand if you desire, too. It really comes down to the space you have available and your planned use of the bag.
We’ll discuss each option below so you can make the right decision for you.
Why are you purchasing a punching bag in the first place?
A punching bag is a staple for boxers and can often be found in public gyms as well. A suitable heavy bag should weigh around half of your body weight to be useful so a 70 lbs – 100 lbs bag is a fair range for the average adult.
A good rule of thumb is that you will need a mounting ceiling or wall that will support twice that weight. So if your chosen punching bag weighs 100 lbs when filled, you need a mount that can support at least 200 lbs of weight. That’s because you are creating a great deal of force when you punch and kick the bag that will cause stress on the mount.
But before you think about buying a hanging bag that requires you to install it, you really need to think about what you’d like to accomplish. A stand-mounted bag that sits on the floor might actually suffice for your needs. This will save you the bother of having to install and hang the bag in the first place.
If you don’t have the means to hang a bag (no suitable support beams) or are unable to do it (you rent the house and don’t want to damage it) a stand-mounted option is one to consider.
Let’s take a look at each of the three possible punching bag mounting options below.
Ceiling mounted vs wall-mounted vs stand-mounted weight bag
The three main types of punching bag options are really 2 options but with 3 different mounting options:
- A ceiling-mounted bag that hangs from the top.
- A wall-mounted bag that hangs out from a bracket on the wall.
- A stand-mounted bag that sits on the ground on a stand rather than a bracket.
The first two options use the same style bag. It’s just the mounting option that differs. A stand-mounted bag has a slightly different design since it sits on a floor mount and doesn’t hang.
Here’s the lowdown of each option and why you might consider each.
| Ceiling-mounted punching bag | Wall-mounted punching bag | Stand-mounted punching bag (freestanding) | |
| Benefits | You can circle around the entire bag. The bag has full movement when installed correctly. Gives you the full experience expected from a punching bag. Allows heavy duty usage. | You can circle around half the bag so around 180 degrees assuming the mount allows this. Full bag movement is possible when installed correctly. A sturdy set up can offer heavy usage like a ceiling-mounted option. | No installation requirement. Easy set up. Quickest option to use right away. The best option for when you can’t or don’t want to actually mount a bag that could cause damage from drilling. This bag isn’t fastened so it can be moved around if desired. Good for light-medium workout usage. |
| Downsides | May require professional installation. Can damage ceiling if installed incorrectly. Is stationary and can’t be moved. | May require professional installation. Can damage wall if installed incorrectly. A large, bulky mount may be required for heavy usage. Is stationary and can’t be moved. The stand may impede foot movement if it’s large. | Heavier bags can tip over. Won’t offer you the same experience as a wall or ceiling-mounted bag. Can make a fair bit of noise. Not really suitable for large, strong users who expect to hit and kick hard. |
| Installation | Multiple mounting options exist including basic chain set ups to more involved brackets that dampen sound and spread the weight out over a wider space. Various weight limits available. Manually filled with sand or other recommended substance. | Multiple mounting options exist for wood and concrete with varying weight limits available. The brackets can be quite large and require space. Some hang the bag farther from the wall than others. Manually filled with sand or other recommended substance. | No installation required. The bag is mounted on a stand which sits on the ground. The bag must be manually filled with sand or other recommended substance. |
| Uses | Boxers, Muay Thai, MMA and regular home users. When heavier usage involving kicking and punching is required, this is your best option. | Wall-mounted heavy bags offer similar uses to a ceiling-mounted one but are useful when space is an issue. | Home users. Best for beginners looking at doing jabs and general light-weight training only. |
| Cost | An empty weight bag with a basic chain mount and swivel costs $30-$120 but more expensive options can be purchased. Bag filling costs extra. | The wall-mounted brackets alone can be purchased for $30 – $70 or more depending on your budget and needs. An empty weight bag with a basic chain mount and swivel costs $30-$120 but more expensive options can be purchased. Bag filling costs extra. | Low – high price options available from $30-$150 so there is a wide range in terms of cost, quality and usage. Bag filling costs extra. |
| Considerations | Some people prefer to set up the bag in a garage if possible if noise is a problem as bag usage can be loud. | Requires a strong, sturdy set up on a suitable wall. Ensure you set the bag high enough that it is suitable for the type of use you desire especially if you’re tall. | You generally buy the bag empty and have to fill it with sand or another suitable substance that you purchase yourself. Buy a product that suits your height and weight. |
How can you hang a punching bag in your basement?
You can hang a punching bag in your basement with the ceiling and wall being the two most likely options. Care must be taken to attach the punching bag to a support beam that is strong enough to support not only the weight of the bag but also the force that will be exerted when the bag is struck.
Typically you need to avoid drywall and focus on a steel or wood beam that you can access without causing damage to your house. A finished basement will be more difficult to access as you will need to use a stud finder to locate a suitable place. That’s why some people choose to put a hanging bag in a garage or just get a stand-mounted one that sits on the floor.
In that regard, an unfinished basement gives you visual access to the wood and metal support beams that you might be able to utilize.
Follow the specific instructions on the product you choose as it should refer to weight limits which can dictate how and where you install a ceiling or wall-mounted punching bag.
Summary
Before you run and out and buy a heavy punching bag that you need to install on a ceiling or wall, think about how you will use the bag first. You might find that you do require a ceiling or wall-mounted bag that gives you flexibility to punch and kick the bag very hard with no trouble.
But if you are more into the exercise aspect of working out and only plan lighter workouts on your bag, you might find that a stand-mounted punching bag is all you need. It can tip over at times if you hit it too hard, but you might also find that it is all you need. If you only plan on jabbing the bag and/or have a smaller, lighter weight frame, a stand-mounted bag might suffice.
Then you don’t have to worry about finding a suitable place for drilling and mounting the bag on a ceiling or wall.