They allow the user to focus more on cardio, with greater flexibility in movement around the bag, as well as requiring less space and installation hassle. This combination makes free standing bags a must not only for the boxing or MMA enthusiast but also for anyone wanting to really up their cardio game.

If you are looking for more of a standard punch bag rather than a human shaped one like the Century BOB then the Century Wavemaster XXL is about as good as it gets. You will pay a premium for the XXL but it is made from premium materials with a high quality vinyl to the outer and a high density foam to the inner. At 20kg unfilled, the Wavemaster XXL is pretty portable but once filled you will struggle to move it as it will weigh closer to 100kg. This does mean you get one of the most stable free standing punching bags available though. The Century Original Wavemaster Freestanding Punch Bag is one of the most recognisable bags in the free standing bag category, and for good reason. We decided to take a look at the top options when it comes to home sparring (free standing style) and so bring to you our best free standing punching bags.The Dripex free standing punch bag is one of the best cheap bags on the market today. It is a good alternative to the Century and Gallant models and is usually found cheaper than both. Overall, we loved this free standing punch bag and so will you if you want a lifelike training partner. Although they do offer a 5.5ft version of this free standing bag (see our 5.5ft review below if you don’t need the height), we prefer the extra height you get from the 6ft version which features a well made and stitched PU leather outer case.

The bag is well made on the outside and internally with the inside featuring a tri-disc foam structure that disperses the energy from each strike in a balanced way in to the bag. If you are a moderate to powerful hitter then we would recommend filling the base with sand rather than water or you may find you get more movement from the base than you’d like. Our punching gloves provide the ultimate padding for safety and comfort so you can learn to hit like a pro, paired with the right punching bag or pad to simulate the human body. Top of our list is a Century product and comes in the form of the colossal Wavemaster XXL. Standing at 175cm and with a diameter of 45cm, this standalone punchbag actually has the largest striking surface area of all free-standing punchbags in the UK. No other option in this list provides as much value for money as the Powercore, as it strikes the perfect balance between durability, usability, and affordability. 6. Ringside Elite Free-Standing Fitness Punching BagThe base is made from highly durable rubber and the suction cups can be loosened to allow you to move the bag easily in to another space. Overall, we liked this punching bag although would probably opt for Everlast or the Lonsdale over this just because of the brand. When filled it sits at a hefty 120kg, however, it does come with adjustable height settings: starting at 60inches (152cm) and going up to 78inches (198cm) in height, the tallest bag on the list when fully extended. The base will need to be filled with sand or water and as always we recommend sand – although the total weight is not as heavy as other bags. The striking surface of the main bag is 97cm and the bag circumference is 90cm which provides plenty of striking area for your workout.

Not sure what boxing gear essentials you need? If you’re new to the world of boxing, make sure to opt for a dedicated pair of boxing gloves (with hand wraps) and a punch pad or punching pad as your must-haves. Unfortunately the Gallant is not height adjustable but there is a smaller version of this bag which is also a little cheaper so if you prefer the 5.5ft version you have that option. For most people the 6ft version will be perfectly adequate and is without a doubt the best value bag in this category. This is a very well made bag that has so much versatility and is so much fun that anyone looking for either multi-discipline training or who is just looking for a bag to help them get in shape – then this is a seriously strong contender.

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When discussing free standing bags, nothing comes close to the impact that the Century BOB Freestanding Punch Bag has had. The solidity of this bag means that even the most powerful of strikes will struggle to move the bag too much and even though the base is narrow, the stability of this bag is excellent. Like the 6ft version, the narrow base allows you to get in close to the bag to allow you to practise those short distance punches. And then you have speed bags for improving your coordination and hand speed, along with free-standing punching bags for places where you'd rather not hang anything from the ceiling or wall. What are the best punching bags to buy? The Gallant 5.5ft free-standing punching bag is a top quality bag at a low price point. The only reason we have put this at the bottom of our list is because we have already featured the 6ft version earlier on – but if you don’t need the extra height and are on a tighter budget then the 5.5ft version is a top choice and one that could easily make our top 3 overall. Unlike some of the other budget punching bags on this list, the Gallant has 5cm of EPE high density foam making the strike energy dispersion even better and a little kinder on your joints.