How to Build a Punching Bag for Training

A punching bag is a great way to train for the aspiring boxer and for those who just want to build muscle and get in shape. Official punching bags can get a bit expensive, but creating your own punching bag is a cost-effective alternative. With a few simple supplies, you'll have your own punching bag set up in no time.

Things You'll Need

  • Canvas bag
  • 50 lbs. of sand
  • Heavy duty trash bags
  • Duct tape
  • Foam
  • Rags and towels
  • Metal hooks and chain
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a bag. Canvas is probably the most practical, or nylon. A leather bag will cost more. Alternatively, large potato sacks lend themselves well to punching bags.

    • 2

      Prepare the bag with weight. A good beginner's punching bag should weigh roughly 70 lbs. Fill a heavy duty trash bag with roughly 50 lbs. of sand. Tie the bag off, place it in another bag, tie it off and repeat one more time so that the sand is housed in three plastic bags. This will help prevent it from breaking.

    • 3

      Line the bag with foam. Egg-crate mattress toppers are a fairly inexpensive foam that can be used to line the punching bag. With the egg-crate points facing inward, line the inside of the bag and bottom with the foam. Trim off any extra foam.

    • 4

      Place the sand weight into the bag. Top off the bag with old rags and towels. Pack everything down as tightly as possible. Weigh the bag on a household scale: it should be roughly 70 pounds. If it is significantly less, prepare another smaller sand weight by repeating Step 2.

    • 5

      Close the bag. If the bag has a zipper, zip it closed. If it does not have a zipper or handles at the top, tie it off as best you can and reinforce it with duct tape. Attach a hook through the top of the bag, and reinforce it with duct tape if need be. Secure another hook from a ceiling beam and use a strong chain to connect the two.