Punching bag/dummy for apartment

[jedtex88]

I've been on about a three year hiatus from serious martial arts training due to space restrictions, odd work hours and financial issues. As to it if the three have been solved I'm looking for a freestanding bag or dummy to work into my everyday fitness regimen.
Noise isn't an issue for me but I'd like to get my security deposit back which rules out any hanging bags. I have an entire room in the apartment to dedicate to the equipment so space isn't an issue. My maximum price range is $650.
I'm leaning towards a Versys vs Bob. Does anyone have any experience with that product or can make a better suggestion?
Any help would be appreciated.

[submessenger]

My number one suggestion is craigslist. You can probably get a bag stand with a medium heavy bag, and many of those have a speed bag on the back, too. Probably looking at less than $100. Check for rust inside the tubes before you commit.

Protips are put some heavy towels or foam mats underneath, if you have nice floors, and definitely invest in some weights for the stand itself. They are all pretty much made in the same Chinese factory, though, so quality will be ehh, but probably equal across the board. You can always replace the bags once you have the stand.

[jedtex88]

I appreciate you taking the time to answer me but I've always had issues with bag stands(even with significant weight) while side or front kicking unless they were anchored into the ground and in a corner then you run into problems with the bag smacking the wall. I'm not the best at repairing dry wall.

[submessenger]

Agreed, it is difficult to angle on them. You pretty much have one position when it comes to kicks.

[jedtex88]

Are you not a fan of freestanding bags? I had one of the original Bobs that I kicked to death when I was younger. It held up to a couple of years of serious abuse and really helped me iron out my rear naked choke.

[Diesel_tke]

I've used all of the above. I can tell you the problem with the free standing bags, they move. The move A LOT!!! The good thing about them is that if you put one in the center of the room you can work around it and move it back towards the center of the room through your footwork. However, you have to have good footwork. Do you have training in boxing or kickboxing footwork?

I would propos that footwork drills will get you what you are looking for before getting a bag. Bag work is a lot of fun and I can't tell you how many hours I've done on a bag. But you can get a lot more out of it if you are using proper footwork which you rarely see. You generally see people stand in front of t bag and pound away on it, using combinations for an hour. Good workout but missing a lot.

Circling, angling, angling in versus angling out, skip steps, there are tons of things. And all of those you can practice without a bag.

But if you are heart set on a bag, get one of the XXL bags that have a larger padded area for kicking. Don't bother with the bob. It's cool, I've had one but you don't get as much out of it unless you are doing stick drills.

[W. Rabbit]

I appreciate you taking the time to answer me but I've always had issues with bag stands(even with significant weight) while side or front kicking unless they were anchored into the ground and in a corner then you run into problems with the bag smacking the wall. I'm not the best at repairing dry wall.

Putting a heavy bag in a corner nullifies about 80% of the point and use of a heavy bag. You need room to move around the bag...

[jedtex88]

Putting a heavy bag in a corner nullifies about 80% of the point and use of a heavy bag. You need room to move around the bag...

If I was able to hang my heavy bag anywhere but on a bag stand, I would. My ceiling is someone else's floor. Do you have a recommendation for a free standing bag?

[W. Rabbit]

If I was able to hang my heavy bag anywhere but on a bag stand, I would. My ceiling is someone else's floor. Do you have a recommendation for a free standing bag?

Yes, I do.

Join a gym, or find a better home.

[jedtex88]

I've used all of the above. I can tell you the problem with the free standing bags, they move. The move A LOT!!! The good thing about them is that if you put one in the center of the room you can work around it and move it back towards the center of the room through your footwork. However, you have to have good footwork. Do you have training in boxing or kickboxing footwork?

I would propos that footwork drills will get you what you are looking for before getting a bag. Bag work is a lot of fun and I can't tell you how many hours I've done on a bag. But you can get a lot more out of it if you are using proper footwork which you rarely see. You generally see people stand in front of t bag and pound away on it, using combinations for an hour. Good workout but missing a lot.

Circling, angling, angling in versus angling out, skip steps, there are tons of things. And all of those you can practice without a bag.

But if you are heart set on a bag, get one of the XXL bags that have a larger padded area for kicking. Don't bother with the bob. It's cool, I've had one but you don't get as much out of it unless you are doing stick drills.

This response has been very useful. Thank you.
I don't have any formal boxing or kickboxing training but my Taekwondo instructor was an older gentleman who started with boxing. He always put an emphasis on footwork in most aspects of our training. Especially with sparring. "Controlling the ring" with footwork was a big part of the curriculum.
My heart is set on a bag. I'll go take a look at a Wavemaster XXL, but I very well may get one of the newer Bob XL's and put the jacket on it. It's mostly just for fun and cardio. Even if I can't sidekick it anywhere near a wall.