How to Safely Hang a Punching Bag In Your Garage
Jan 02, 2025
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If you’re a gym-goer, hanging a punching bag in the garage can be a convenient alternative for when you can’t step out of your home for a workout. Aside from getting the benefits of exercise, you won’t have to endure being an equipment hog as you’ll have it all to yourself.
A well-mounted punching bag is all it takes to take your training sessions to your garage so you don’t miss a day of physical activity. Hitting a punching bag has several merits to health. It raises your heart rate, helps you build muscles and relieves your stress.
Factors To Consider Before Hanging a Punching Bag In the Garage
It requires planning to hang a punching bag at home safely. After all, you could damage the structure of your home or sustain an injury if done wrong. Here are two things to consider.
Weight of the Punching Bag
Punching bags come in different sizes and weights. Depending on where you want to install one, you must pick the right weight and dimensions for a suitable training space.
The rule of thumb is that heavy bags must be half your body weight for a good workout experience. If you weigh 200 pounds, a 100-pound punching bag is ideal. Most men prefer the bag to pack at least 80 pounds for an appropriate density and weight.
Choosing Where the Bag Goes
Most people hang a heavy bag from the ceiling joist. You can also do this, but make sure the beam is sturdy enough to hold the weight. First, check if the joist has cracks or damage. If they do, you might need to add a beam to fortify the structure. Another place to hang a bag is on the wall using a wall mount.
Space for the Garage Punching Bag
Perhaps you have enough space in one corner for the garage punching bag. However, if there’s not enough room for you to stretch or pull back your punches in between, you may want to reevaluate the exact positioning of your new workout tool.
Focus on reorganizing the home gym to make space yourself too. You can mount a pegboard on the wall to get your automotive essentials off the floor.
How To Hang a Punching Bag In the Garage Safely
A garage ceiling is easier for exposed beams. With this, you can quickly spot any vulnerabilities or damage and assess if setting the bag on top is plausible.
If the beams are hidden and covered by ceiling boards, use a stud finder to locate the center of the joist. Run the stud finder along the ceiling and wherever it lights up is the center of the joist. Install a steel beam to reinforce more support if unsure of the ceiling’s durability.
1. From the Ceiling Joist
Hanging a heavy bag in the garage is kind of the most popular way to get this equipment in your room. After all, you get to save up wall and floor space all at once. Granted, you’re going to require a couple of things and figure out how to hang a heavy bag from the ceiling joist.
Tools you need:
- Drill
- marker
- Eyebolt
- Wrench
- Punching bag and hanging kit
Instructions:
- Once you’ve identified a support beam, drill a hole on it.
- Insert an eyebolt into the opening and use a wrench to tighten it and hold it in place.
- Chain the corners of the punching bag. The materials should be included in the hanging kit.
- Use the s-hook to connect to the chain and attach the other end to the eyebolt.
- Check if the bag is secured in place. Hit it a few times. If it appears loose or weak, reattach it.
Our Recommendation: Vensmuste Punching Bag
The Vensmuste Punching Bag is made for any adult who wants to practice MMA, kickboxing and other sports. However, it’s also perfect when you just want to box and sweat in the garage. It spans 120 centimeters in height, so it can hang with ease.
The package contains an unfilled sandbag made of thick oxford cloth and polyurethane for durability. You can stuff it with old clothes, rags or whatever you please, storing up to 30 kilograms of items. There are also adjustment accessories that can help with hanging installation.
2. From the Wall With a Wall Mount
Another option to hang a punching bag in the garage is through the wall using a wall mount. It’s recommended for masonry walls. You can purchase a wall mount from a sports store.
Things you need:
- Wall mount
- Drill
- Marker
- Wrench
- Stud finder
- Wood screws
- Concrete anchors for concrete walls
Instructions:
- Estimate the height for the placement of the punching bag.
- Use a stud finder to determine the best point for the wall mounting. Put a mark on it.
- Hold your wall mount on top of the stud and mark the placement for the screws.
- Drill to create holes in the marked spots.
- Attach the wall mount on the stud. Use wood screws or concrete anchors to secure it in position.
- Connect the chains to the punching bag.
- Hang the bag on the wall mount.
- Check if it’s anchored enough by giving it a few test punches.
Our Recommendation: Title Boxing Training Bag
Want to practice your hooks or uppercuts? The Title Boxing Wall Mounted Training Bag is a wonderful bag if you want to go the wall mount route. The design can accommodate all types of punches, so you can engage your whole body with your boxing training regimen.
The material is made with engineered leather and accompanied by six expansion bolts for secure attachment. The punching bag itself is also durable, filled with high-density foam to outlast even the longest of workout routines.
3. Using a Free Stand
If you want to skip learning how to hang a punching bag from the ceiling or mounting it to the wall, opt for free-standing punching bags instead. They don’t involve hanging or drilling, allowing you to instantly bring your muscle-building workouts home. It’s preferable if you’re unsure of the structural integrity of your garage or if you’re renting and any installation is prohibited.
You can buy a free stand in an athletic store and choose between a mobile frame with wheels movable to any place or a stationary stand. Check the instruction manual for the assembling guide. You may need a wrench or another tool to assemble the base.
Our Recommendation: FITVEN Freestanding Bag
The FITVEN Freestanding Punching Bag is a pretty sweet deal as it has everything you need for the installation. You can make the base heavy by filling it with either water or sand before your gym session. It also contains 12 powerful suction cups to adhere itself to the floor.
Another perk is that there are four spring absorbers on the baseplate to accommodate each punch. There will be less vibration and reduced risk of limb injuries. Plus, you get free boxing gloves made of polyurethane leather and mesh for durability and breathability.
Reasons for Wobbling Bases
While free-standing punching bags are the easiest to install, their common complaint is instability. The stand’s base wobbles for three reasons:
- Poor quality: Free-standing bag bases come in various designs and quality. Top-heavy kinds often come with a higher price tag.
- Slippery floor: Most stand bases are made of plastic, so they glide through wood, carpet or concrete flooring in every punch.
- Light base: Some bases have lightweight materials as foundations with poor design.
Ways To Stabilize the Free-Standing Punching Bag
Investing in a quality free-standing punching bag is practical as it lasts longer. Here are things to do to fix the base on the ground.
1. Pour sand in the base.
Quality free-standing bag bases are fillable with water or sand to stabilize them. You can mix sand and water to fix it on the ground and prevent the foundation from moving while in use. Just remember to check the capacity of the punching bag’s manual to ensure you’re not going overboard with your load.
2. Upgrade the punching bag.
Punching bags come in various forms. There are poles, balls, teardrop shapes and many more. If it’s your first time setting up a punching bag in your garage, invest in a high-quality, heavy-duty material. These are the kinds with stable designs.
3. Purchase a mat.
Get a quality non-slip gym mat to layer between the floor and the free-stand base. The mat underneath protects the floor from damage caused by moving bases and allows you to go all out with training without worry.
Which Punching Bag is Right for You?
Choosing between a hanging, wall-mounted, or free-standing punching bag can certainly be a little confusing. However, it’s important to determine which route you want to go down after. Here are extra considerations:
Installation Time
A freestanding one is the most appealing if you just want to get your equipment up and functional immediately. Granted, you may use more time stabilizing the base throughout future sessions. A hanging and wall-mounted bag will require more time upfront, but you can count on it to stay in position for a long while.
Types of Exercises
Hanging and freestanding bags are pretty straightforward in their composition, and cylindrical to take on straight punches. However, you may want to look into a wall-mounted one to really try as many punch styles as possible. You can also get a dedicated uppercut bag or speed bag to hang if you want to work on that.
Stability and Durability
You want to get an investment that’s going to last, which means avoiding all the gimmicky items that cost you money and headaches. Heavy bags can withstand your punches when made from good materials. If you want the highest stability, hanging and wall-mounted ones are your best bed. Just install them correctly and tightly to ensure they won’t come off.
Consider Safety When Installing a Punching Bag in the Garage
While having a home gym at home sounds fantastic, safety is essential when fixing workout equipment in the garage. There are various options to hang a punching bag, but ensure the beam it will be attached to is durable. Consider reinforcing the ceiling with another beam for added support.
You won’t have to worry about missing a day of training from now on if you have a punching bag hanging in your garage. You can stay active even at home.
Originally posted 09/25/2023 – Updated 1/2/2024
