Which do you prefer for karate training, a free stand, or a hanging punching bag?

Question

Which do you prefer for karate training, a free stand, or a hanging punching bag?

Answer 1

trees to judo chop!

Seriously, both, and Makiwara, and trees no bricks or metal though. I don't need to be that hard to be tough.

Answer 2

To Simba: Yes, it's possible to weight the standing bag down with sand instead of water -- however, they still move around too much when hit with a good strike.

And to the OP, I prefer a hanging bag.

Answer 3

free stand, definitely. the hanging bags swing back and you have to stop it before you can properly kick/punch it again.

Answer 4

Hanging for sure.  The free standing ones slide around the floor too much when you kick them.  And while the base is heavy, the bag part itself is too light and not solid enough when you hit it.  I have also seen the bases of free standing bags crack and start to leak.  

Answer 5

Hanging one... Coz you can take out all your frustrations and avoid misses! You then also don't have to go moving it each time it falls over etc etc.

Answer 6

Short answer - Hanging bag for adults, and standing bag for small kids.

I have found that the standing bags are good for kids. They do move a little more so they have a little more "give" for the kids. The height can also be adjusted. They can also be moved around too so they are not always in one place.

But as the previous post mentions there are some disadvatages. As an adult I found it difficult to work with. because of the movement. It would even get knocked over more often. Then people would just try to hit hard to knock it over and would lose technique. Would it be possible to weight it down with sand instead of water??? Just a thought, I'm not sure.