How To Make a Free-Standing Punching Bag
10-Step Instructions:
- Get 13 pool noodles (for a 6 foot tall punching bag), a roll of cheap packing tape and a roll of cheap cling wrap (or two).
- For your pole get a one inch wide PVC pipe - roughly 6 foot long.
- For your platform get an MDF (particle) board at least 2 foot wide and 1/2 inch thick. Alternatively if you don't want to make the base, you can simply use an umbrella base such as this one from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3nY3J19.
- For mounting your pole, get a one inch galvanised steel pipe roughly one foot long and a flange to mount it. You'll also need 4 thick, short screws to fix the flange onto your board - these are ideal: https://amzn.to/3gCO82H. Note, if you want to make your punching bag more rigid, use a two foot galvanised pipe.
- For fixing your PVC pipe onto your galvanised pipe you will also need a one inch hose clamp.
- Setup your platform and pole: screw the flange onto one end of your board; insert the galvanised pipe into one end of the PVC pipe and lock it in place using the hose clamp (you'll need to make some vertical cuts into the PVC pipe - see video for details); crew your pole into the flange on your board; weigh the board down with some weights or with one or two 10 litre water containers which you can buy in a supermarket for $1 each.
- Take 4 of your pool noodles to make the core of your punching bag. You can wrap some tape around them to hold them together temporarily.
- Cut the rest of your noodles in half. Take each half and make a ring by bringing the opposite ends together and taping them together using the packing tape - watch the video for details of how to do this.
- Thread all your noodle rings onto the 4-noodle core and thread the core onto the PVC pipe.
- Wrap the cling wrap around the bag making sure to distribute the cling wrap equally throughout. If you bought a second roll, wrap that too, making sure to apply more of it to areas where you will punch or kick the most.
Good luck making it and hope you enjoy! If you have any questions feel free to ask them in the comments below.
Related Videos:
PVC pipe only: https://youtu.be/V29us98-FUMPVC pipe with ball (Reflex Bag) version: https://youtu.be/uzBdTSSqAc8
Free-standing Punching Bag V2: https://youtu.be/kgme-WVj2k0
DIY Base: https://youtu.be/kPiJ-fsDik0
would putting rice in the pool noodles be a good idea or no
ReplyDeleteYes that will make it heavier and probably more satisfying to punch
ReplyDeleteHi Reedy, thanks for the great tutorial! I saw your reply to a comment on YouTube saying that the PVC might snap if you do solid Muay Thai kicks. Is there any way around that? Would using a galvanised steel pipe instead of the PVC be a good idea? (I do worry that the bag might not feel nice to punch without the slight bounce/ flexibility). Thank you so much!!
ReplyDeleteStick to PVC, but go for a larger diameter.
DeleteThanks for the reply! Do you have any suggestions on how wide the pvc pipe should be to handle Muay Thai kick practice? I’m also thinking of adding packs of sand around the pipe and in between the pool noodles to give it a heavier feel. Is that a good idea or are there alternatives that you suggest to make a solid bag at home? I’m planning on using the suction base btw in case that makes a difference. Thank you so much once again. Your vids are amazing and you’re truly an inspiration for me to pick up boxing again after beating a health battle! Thank you🫡
DeleteYou're most welcome. I would recommend starting with the standard diameter since it will have some flex to it, allowing it to bend from the impact, rather than topple over. If the PVC snaps then you'll know to go to a thicker one. It all depends on the quality of the PVC pipes in your local store.
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