Boxing is an interesting sport for many people because it can be more fun than the treadmill and more exciting than lifting weights. Some people even go one step beyond and decide to create their own home boxing gym for the many benefits it brings, such as motivation to train yourself and time-saving form having to go somewhere else to train.
Here, we will give you six easy steps you can follow so that you can create a DIY home boxing gym that suits your needs. We will also recommend what equipment to buy and where to buy it because we want you to find every tip you need on this post, and please, do not forget to comment if you have built your own home gym before and have additional tips for our readers. Also, if you have any questions, write them down in the comments section!
check our Amazon recommendations!
Step 1: Create a space for your home boxing gym
The first thing you need to think about before buying any equipment or construction materials is the space where you want to have your home gym. If you do not have much space available you can keep things minimal and still have a great boxing gym, but the larger the space is, the better, especially if you want to move around or spar.
Since boxing training can make a lot of noise, the perfect space for a boxing gym is a garage or a shed that is away from the house. However, if you live in an apartment, there are ways to make a gym that’s apartment-friendly and super quiet that will also fit the space, which will most likely be smaller than the one you would have in a house. Nonetheless, try to consider things such as the type of training you are planning on doing before starting to create your gym.
Punching bags are normally silent and it is a piece of equipment that is easy to install and does not cost a whole lot. A punching bag will help you with cardio and strengthening and they come in different weights with an exterior covering of leather, faux leather or vinyl and it is perfect for an apartment if you choose a free-standing punching bag. This is the best option for you if you live in a condo since we are sure your landlord will not appreciate you drilling holes in the ceiling and because your neighbors will be annoyed by the vibrations.
Step 2: Best flooring for a home boxing gym
Once you have chosen the space at home where you want to place your DIY boxing gym it is time to think about the flooring. Concrete floors can be tough on your joints and if you are planning on jumping rope or doing footwork drills, you may consider placing mats.
The easiest way to customize your floor, and perhaps cheapest, is by placing foam jigsaw mats that slot together neatly and fast. You can find these foam tiles on Amazon and get as many as you need for your space. Try searching for those that are specific for exercising and you can choose from different levels of thickness, such as ½” or 3⁄4” and square mats that are 24×24 square feet.
Foam square mats are easy to assemble. They are like a puzzle with easy-to-connect pieces which can also be disassembled quickly for storage but they still lock together tightly and do not come apart easily. In addition, they are water and noise resistant (great for apartments) and easy to clean as well.
Some of these mats are fabricated with high-density EVA foam, a material that is made to last long with the necessary cushion. The surfaces are non-slip, which prevents injuries.
Other options for flooring for your home boxing gym are floor mats that come with a wooden design and that can blend better with your room’s decor. You can find these on Amazon as Sorbus Wood Grain and choose from a variety of styles. Another wood-looking great floor for home gyms is Incstores, which are also foam tiles and if your gym is outdoors, you need Sorbus Grass Mat Interlocking Tiles with fake grass.
There is also the Gorilla Matt, which is simply a very large mat that will allow you to move your gym around if needed and if you need to store it, you just simply roll it up. They are ¼” thick and you can also double it if you want more support or if your space is small. Its circle-pattern grip keeps it from moving around slick surfaces like hardwoods and tiles and the surface can be easily cleaned with a microfiber towel that comes with the mat.
Amazon recommends Yes4All Interlocking Tiles if you have a carpeted floor and do not want to risk of it flattening or getting damaged by exercising on top. This tile system comes in individual two-feet-by-two-feet sections of non-skid padding and helps both keeping your equipment stationary on top and providing enough cushion and protection to your carpet underneath. They work on hard surfaces very well too.
What to look for in a home gym floor?
According to The Spruce, regarding materials for your home boxing gym floor, you should look for rubber, foam, carpet, vinyl and turf. Rubber, they say, is the most common because it’s more affordable than other options, it is durable and easy to clean. Foam and carpet are the least expensive options but not as easy to clean and less suitable than rubber, for rigorous exercise.
If you want durability, then rubber or vinyl is what you need since they absorb shock well. They are also good options if you jump rope or do weight training since they absorb impact better than carpet, vinyl or turf does.
Step 3: Install a punching bag
Now that you have decided on the space where your home boxing gym will be and what flooring you want to have, it is time to install a punching bag. Bag training is a very important part of boxing training, especially if you will be doing it at home without a partner or coach.
As we said before, if you live in an apartment the best will perhaps be to get a freestanding bag so that you do not have to make holes in the ceiling to mount it, which will most likely not be allowed if you are renting. However, even if you are planning your DIY boxing gym in a house where you can make all of the holes you want, freestanding bags are still a good option since they are easy to install. Take into consideration that they are less durable than wall or ceiling-mounted hanging bags that require a fixing bracket and chains.
Smart MMA suggests the following best freestanding punching bags for apartments:
- Century Versys Fight Simulator: It comes pre-filled and it is made of heavy-duty vinyl shell. A plus is that it provides a larger striking surface compared to traditional punching bags. There is no drilling or mounting required since it comes with a base where the bag is propped on.
Another one of the pros is that it moves a little bit when it is struck, which is good for working speed and timing. It weighs around 110 lbs and it is easy to move to a different location if needed. Check the price and other details on Amazon.
2. Century BOB Punching Bag: The design is realistic featuring a mannequin shaped like a man’s torso (great for anger management issues or striking precision). A pro is that the height is adjustable so anyone can use it comfortably, it does not take up a lot of space and no setup is required.
This nag hardly moves when it is struck which is bad because it is not a good option for practicing speed, but the positive thing is that no one needs to hold it for you. It weights (with the base) about 122.5 kilograms and it does not come prefilled so you will need to add water or sand inside it. Check it out on Amazon.
Also for apartments, you can choose hanging heavy bags, but these take more space than the freestanding models. However, you will have the benefit of the swing, which is more realistic than a static bag since a real boxing opponent will not stay still. Here are some great suggestions:
3. Everlast Dual Station Heavy Bag: This is a bundle that you can find on Amazon and consists of a heavy hanging bag and a speed bag that are attached on each side of a stand. You can buy all of these elements separately but the bundle will give you variety and several pieces of equipment that will be useful in your home gym.
One of the cons is that the stand needs weight plates to keep it in place and they do not come with the bundle. The heavy bag comes pre-filled and it is made of synthetic leather, which is easy to clean.
4. Everlast Single Station Heavy Bag Kit: This is another great kit from Everlast that comes with a 100-pound Nevatear heavy bag – that will withstand years of striking without looking worn – bag gloves and hand wraps. Check the details of this product on Amazon.
5. RDX Punching Bag Kit: According to the Smart MMA website, this is the best starting kit out there if you are a novice. The kit comes with a bracket, gauges, hooks, hand wraps, chains, swivel, jump rope, d-shackle, fittings, hand gripper, punching bag straps, boxing gloves, a keyring and of course the heavy bag.
However, this is not a freestanding bag and it does not come with a stand so you will need to drill holes into your wall to install it. The brand recommends a brick wall preferably. Here you can see the price on Amazon.
Finally, a very useful punching bag for apartments and the quietest there is: Quiet Punch Portable Punching Bag. It does not need a stand or any special installation, and you can take it everywhere you want to since it goes in the doorway, held in place by tension rods.
Of course, this is not for punching with all you’ve got, it is a bag designed for a light workout in mind. It weighs only about 4 pounds and is made of composite foam to absorb the impact of the knuckles. You won’t need boxing gloves for this bag since it is very soft.
This product also comes with a phone app where you can track your progress and follow along with several workouts. It also has a phone clip so you can have your phone near you at all times.
These are our favorite products for apartments and/or small spaces but we also have a few favorites for larger spaces you can choose from as well. Keep reading!
You should always take into consideration the material of your punching bag. Most standard ones are made of fake leather which makes them very strong. Foam is a great filling for the bags as well, but textile is also a good option. And, here are our top 5 heavy bags for boxing:
- Outslayer Filled Punching Bag
- Everlast C3 Foam Heavy Bag
- Century Wavemaster XXL Training Bag
- Everlast Traditional Heavy Bag Kit
- Last Punch Heavy Duty Pro Punching Bag
Step 4: Other pieces of equipment you can add to your home boxing gym
Now that you have your heavy bag, which is essential in boxing training, you can add other pieces of equipment if you have enough room and want to train as hard as you can at home.
Boxing is an excellent exercise, it relieves stress, it helps you live a healthy lifestyle and for some, it is a form of meditation and having your own gym at home will improve your overall life. So, here are some of the best equipment for home boxing gyms you can get:
- Speed bag and speed bag mount
Your home boxing gym will not be complete without a speed bag where you can practice hitting with the side of your fist (which is something that you do mostly when blocking a punch). In addition, a speed bag trains you to keep your hands up and learn rhythm, increase endurance and speed.
You will not only need the speed bag but also the mount and if you are training alone at home, be sure to read this post from Expert Boxing where they explain how to hit a speed bag correctly.
2. Upper cut heavy bag
If you have enough space in your home gym you can also get an upper cut heavy bag which is perfect for those cases where you do not have a partner to train with and hold the mitts for you to punch. You can mount the uppercut bag to suit your height and practice solo.
3.Wrecking ball body snatcher round heavy bag
Wrecking balls are similar to heavy bags but the main difference is that they come in round shapes. This will allow you to practice upper cuts and overhand shots and since it also swings around a little bit more than heavy bags you can use it to practice your reflexes.
You can also practice ducking, weaving and more angles with a wrecking ball. However, it will not substitute the heavy bag so you will need both pieces of equipment for a complete setup in your boxing gym.
4. Double-end bag or Peanut Mexican double end bag
Some boxers say that a double end bag, also known as Peanut Mexican double end bag because of it peanut-like shape, is better than a heavy or speed bag. The reason is that with this bag you can practice speed and reflexes, as well as ducking, weaving and accuracy.
This bag is mounted to the floor and the ceiling at the same time. However, if you want to include this piece of boxing equipment in your gym at home, it is best if you also get the traditional heavy bag which to us is a must.
5. Cardio machine
You can slip some running shoes on and go out for a few miles, but if it’s raining or the weather is too cold, what can you do for cardio? This is why getting a cardio machine if you have enough room for it since they can be quite large, is a great idea.
Boxers need to do cardio as part of their workout for more endurance, this is why you see them jumping rope and jogging in movies. You can get a treadmill, an airbike, a climber, an elliptical trainer, or any other piece of equipment meant for cardio workouts.
6. Jump rope
A few days ago we did an entire post about the benefits of jumping rope in boxing and we believe that this is also a must in your home boxing gym, and it will fit any room because jumping ropes will not take up any space at all.
Nonetheless, you probably will not be able to use it inside an apartment or the neighbors downstairs will complain immediately, but you can go outside for a few minutes and skip your rope and go back inside later to continue your training.
Step 4: Add boxing gear
Besides the large equipment you need for practicing boxing at home, there are a few more things that are necessary to have to protect your hands when punching, for instance.
Since you will most likely be boxing solo, you will need training gloves or bag gloves and we recommend a pair of 160 oz gloves for the best protection possible. They will also help condition your arms and shoulders more than a light pair of gloves will. You will also need hand wraps to avoid getting injured or start to feel pain. Here’s a guide on how to avoid wrist pain from boxing that we recommend you look into.
As for other gear worth considering for your boxing gym is a reflex ball, which is a ball on a string that is attached to a head band. You punch the ball and it comes towards you and perfect for warming up before boxing, which is something you should never skip.
If you are planning to use your boxing gym with someone else, then you will need a pair of focus mitts for practicing punching. And, how about an Ab roller? They are HARD to use but with consistency, you will get those six packs you have always wanted.
Step 5: Add some weights
Finally, to have a complete home boxing gym you can add some weights, especially if you want to incorporate strength training into your regime. You can get some kettlebells, dumbbells and barbells and if you want and can (you will need a lot of space and a larger budget) get some benches or squat racks.
As a boxer, you will want to build muscle mass to develop strength, stamina, endurance and power and also achieve better balance and coordination. Although you do not necessarily need to lift weights to achieve all of what we just mentioned, you can do light weight training since you want to avoid very large muscles if you want to be a fast boxer. As you may already know, punching power comes from the legs and not the arms. Here’s a great article about what parts of the body boxing works.
A bonus step is to create a storage locker or dresser where you can keep all of your equipment organized, such as your gloves, wraps, mitts and jump rope which will also make the space remain tidy at all times after you are done with your practice for the day.
Now that you have set up your gym you need to start training so you may want to look at some boxing circuits you can do at home and also perhaps decorate the room with inspirational quotes or photos by famous boxers. We have gathered a list in this post you can also check out.
