Why it's best: This bag looks like a traditional free hanging heavy bag that you would find in any boxing gym – it weighs 100 lbs which is plenty of weight for pretty much all casual trainers and probably enough for some of the heavier punchers as well (the lighter bags like 60-70 lbs have a tendency to swing around too much which can disrupt the rhythm of the workout).
What’s different about this heavy bag from the “old school” bags is that it has a layer of foam between the cover and the filler material which helps to protect the hands during grueling workouts. This feature allows for longer workouts without pain and harder punches without fear of broken knuckles. The foam doesn’t seem to deter the bag from holding its shape at all and it takes nothing away from the workout that you’ll get. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: For those that want to get as close to traditional as possible, but still have the ability to push hard during a workout without the worry of risking injury – the Ringside Leather soft filled bag is the bag of choice. This bag will stand up to hour after hour of punishment without buckling or compromising its shape at all – it costs a little more than the Powerhide bag, but for some boxing purists getting a leather bag is well worth the added expense. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: This bag comes unfilled, so even though the initial cost is a bit higher, shipping charges are substantially less than a traditional bag of comparable weight. You can control the weight of your bag rather than be subjected to the manufacturer’s fill and hitting a water bag has a very unique feel compared to hitting a traditional heavy bag. I’ve found that the feel of a water bag is actually much closer to the feel of punching the body of an opponent than either traditional fill or soft fill (foam padded) bags – so if you want your workout to be as realistic as possible a water-filled bag would be the best choice for you. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: This bag from Everlast is just as durable as their more traditional bags and it can be used exactly as you would any traditional bag, but the Pro Angle has a larger diameter at the top, making it easier and more natural to throw upper-cuts and specialty punches than it is with a bag that is uniform in shape. This unique shape can add a lot of versatility to workouts, but the cost of the bag is right in line with traditional bags of similar size. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
Why it's a best pick: Personally, I’m a huge fan of hanging heavy bags, but I understand that not everyone has a sturdy place to be able to hang a 100 lb bag from – for those individuals the best option is a freestanding heavy bag. I’ve tried (and still have) an original Wavemaster and though I don’t like it quite as much as my hanging leather bag, it does provide a very good workout and has for several years and it would be a perfect solution to the problem of not having a good place to hang a bag. The Powerline series from Century offers a more stable base that the original and has more height adjustments to expand the possibilities and add versatility to your workouts. See more reviews, photos, prices, and specs
