Last Updated on March 14, 2025
You must have decided to add more accessories to your home gym.
You made a good choice because a punching bag workout improves your balance and coordination, boosts strength, and builds endurance.
Plus, it's a stress reliever.
Anyone can use this sporting item, and it doesn't take up a lot of space. The only thing to worry about is where to hang it because a heavy bag has particular requirements.
Hence, we want to show you how to hang a punching bag in several places like your garage and apartment ceiling.
Where Is The Best Place To Hang A Punching Bag?
You can hang it anywhere, even in the middle of your living room, if you live alone, and you rarely entertain guests.
When you're sharing space with someone, you'll have to choose where it hangs conveniently and without causing a disturbance while using it. Who would wish to wake up to the sound of fists thumping heavily on a heavy bag?
Let's focus on your chosen space (provided you are living solo). Look around. How are you going to hang your Thai heavy bag? What conditions would you consider initially and why?
The following are the most common issues to remember in hanging a punching bag:
What is the material made of?
If it's waterproof, then you can use it on your apartment's balcony without concerns about rain. If, on the other hand, it is snowproof or heatproof, then you can hang it in your garage or in your basement since it could stand up against these harsh elements.
How much does it weigh?
A bag weighing between 70 and 100 pounds isn't something to hang in every corner of your home.
If you hang it before considering its weight, the platform won't support the weight, and the boxing bag will become a hazard. It could fall at any time. The support should also withstand the force exerted when you punch the bag. A strong beam (or center beam) is probably the one holding your ceiling together.
Workout Space
If you're into kick boxing, you'd need more space to swivel your bag than when boxing it. Also, if there are other gym accessories around you, consider how easily you can use them when you mount a heavy bag above.
After thinking about all that, decide whether to mount the bag from a ceiling joint or a freestanding heavy bag stand.
How To Hang A Heavy Bag In 4 Easy Ways
We'll look at the most practical solutions:
Hanging A Punching Bag Using A Ceiling Joist
It's the most popular method when hanging a heavy bag at home.
You will need to have a visible support beam where you can drill to attach an eye lag bolt. Some support beams have drywall or another decorative layer over them such that you'll need to use a stud finder or knock the surface over and locate the ceiling joist.
On top of that, a heavy bag is a live load. It's not the same as dead loads like floors and ceilings.
Consequently, your ceiling joist should support about 10 and 20 pounds per square foot, depending on the size of the storage space between the ceiling joist and the rafters. Balancing the items mounted on the ceiling joist transfers weight to the walls so that the structure doesn't collapse.
If several beams are running across your ceiling, choose the strongest one.
You'll need:
- A drill
- Drill bits
- S-hook
- Boxing bag
- Chains
- Wrench
- Eyebolt
Step 1
Drill a spot on the support beam from where to hang your boxing bag, ensuring sufficient space for movements later as you punch the bag. Therefore, the hole shouldn't be near an access door or wall. The size of the drill bit depends on the size of the eyebolt.
Step 2
Place an eye lag bolt into the hole you drilled and twist it using a wrench. It'll be the link between your bag and the beam, so it has to fit perfectly.
Step 3
Connect the boxing bag to the snap hook using a hanging bag chain. Start by running the chain through the bag to secure it, then attach the chain to the snap hook.
Step 4
Hang the heavy bag on the eye bolt using the S-hook. You'll need a ladder and someone to lift the bag from below as you climb to reach the eyebolt.
Step 5
Test the punch bag by throwing several punches to see how far it swings and if it's secure.
Hanging A Punching Bag On A Ceiling Mount
If you're mounting it to a ceiling directly, you'll drill a hole in the ceiling and fix ceiling mounts.
You may have to mount it this way when you don't find support beams.
Mark the place to mount the heavy punching bag so that you're not drilling holes too far apart for your ceiling mounts. After installing the ceiling mount, attach the bag using chains as explained in step 3 above. Next, wear hand wraps or boxing gloves to prevent injury and kick the bag to test its swivel hook.
How To Hang A Heavy Bag On A Wall
Do you want some ideas for a home gym or when you’re hanging a punching bag in your garage? Create a wall mount to hang all your home gym accessories, such as heavier bags, in one corner. That'll leave so much walking space in your garage or basement.
The only difference between this method and the ceiling or support beam mount is that you'll drill the wall.
To do so, use concrete anchors instead of wood screws if you have a concrete wall. It's as easy as the two methods described above. Here's what to do.
- Mark the spots for the bolts.
- Drill holes in the wall.
- Attach the wall mount. It could be a wood prank or other sturdy wall mount that can hold your bag.
- Use the process we mentioned earlier to fix your boxing bag to the wall mount using an S-hook.
Installing a wall mount may damage your drywall. Therefore, hang your heavy punching bags on your masonry wall instead.
Watch This!
Alternative approach
Alternatively, use the method below:
Use A Free Standing Punching Bag
It's a simple, more affordable option because you don't have to drill holes or worry about drywall. These reasons make it the most suitable solution when renting a house.
The only problem is that a freestanding punching bag isn't stable, so it might move around as you punch it. Worse, it'll tip over. To avoid these inconveniences, a freestanding heavy bag stand should have weights to hold it down and fix it in place.
Watch This!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to hang a punching bag?
Yes, it's safe when your support is firm that the bag won't fall off as you punch it. Also, if the bag hangs from a ceiling beam, it should be firm so that the ceiling doesn't collapse in the middle of your punching bag workout. On top of that, leave enough space around the bag, or it'll hit someone or something as it sways.
Can you hang a punching bag in an apartment?
Yes, but some places can support this weight better than others. For example, you can hang it on the ceiling above your balcony, where the support beams can hold about 100 pounds.
Or, save time gathering hardware for a heavy bag mount by getting a ready-made heavy bag hanger. For instance, a Yes4All Wall Mount is a heavy-gauge steel hanger that supports 100 pounds. It contains eight bolt holes to attach it to a wood or concrete stud. Drill your wall, mount this hanger, and fix your punch bag.
Alternatively, consider getting a free-standing station for your living room or bedroom if you don't mind exercising indoors, sometimes in front of roommates and guests.
Another solution, if you must have it in your apartment, is to get a smaller punching bag, say 35 pounds, instead of an 80-pound hanging heavy bag. It'll be easier to hang in a small space, even if the only place to do so is in your living room. Such a small weight is quieter, it swings easily, and you can store it away after your workout.
How far off the ground should a punching bag be?
It should be about the height of a person so you can punch it properly. That said, the top of the bag should be almost parallel to the top of your head for you to kick high like you would when delivering a blow to the head.
If unsure, measure the bag's height by positioning it upright against a wall. Measure from the bottom to the tip of the strap. That should be a height of about five feet.
Then, divide this height by two to get the center of the punching bag where you'll likely hit it the most. If you prefer to hit a bit higher, the center will be higher, at about eye level when you hang the bag.
Transfer these measurements to a broomstick or other item you can use to see how high your bag will be, and hold the broomstick under the carabiner chain to get an idea of where the center mark of your bag will be. That's how high you should mount your bag.
Conclusion
You can have your boxing gym by tomorrow morning. First, choose the best punching bag and where you'll mount it. A ceiling mount can work unless you have a drywall ceiling as it's too sensitive to all the drilling. In that case, stick to a ceiling support beam or get a freestanding stand and forget drills and drill bits.
Second, secure the bag so that it stays up no matter how strong your punches get. And third, it shouldn't block access to other rooms and swivel or bump against any pieces of furniture, doors, or windows.