Have you started assembling a home gym during the pandemic? Many people turned to home workouts in the past year as fitness classes moved online and gym equipment sold out almost everywhere. But while yoga mats and benches are simple to set up at home, punching bags can be a little more complex.

The last thing you want is to cause structural damage to your property or worse still, injure yourself in the process. But with the right tools and a bit of hard work and determination, you could be sparring safely in no time.

Firstly, you’ll need to know how heavy your bag is when filled to judge how much support it needs. Domestic punching bags are considerably lighter than the commercial types found in dedicated boxing gyms. You’ll need to factor in centrifugal force too though, which occurs when the bag swings from your punches. This force can be considerably more than your bag weighs – even up to double.

Once you’ve worked out your bag’s weight, you have three main options for hanging it.

Use a Ceiling Joist

You could hang the bag directly from an open ceiling joist in your basement or garage. If the joist isn’t open, it could be worth hiring a professional to find it. They’ll help you find the centre too.

With both parts located, simply drill a hole in the joist using a portable power tool like an impact wrench. Twist an eyebolt in, connect the chain to the bag, then link the chain to an S-hook. This hook can then hang from the eyebolt.

Mount It to the Ceiling

Alternatively, you can keep things simple by attaching a ceiling mount to the joist or support beam instead.

This will involve drilling bolts into the ceiling to hold the mount in place, before attaching a chain and S-hook once more.

Mount It to the Wall

If you’d prefer to avoid the ceiling altogether, wall mounts can be reliable if working with masonry walls. Again, you’ll drill bolts into marked areas to hold the mount in place, before attaching a chain to the bag and hanging it with an S-hook.

Whichever method you choose, you’ll likely need a second person to help you lift the bag to the eyebolt or mount. It’s then worth giving it a few punches to check that it’s securely in place.

Or, Buy a Freestanding Bag

A fourth option is to buy a freestanding bag which comes with its own frame. Freestanding bags are ideal if you’re renting and don’t want to leave any lasting damage – but they can tend to wobble, move around and even tip over.

Punching bags are perfect for working out and releasing tension at the end of a busy day. Pick your ideal hanging method to set yours up without any hiccups.