Hanging up the punching bag: Step-by-step instructions for ceiling and wall mounting
We get a lot of questions from customers about how and where a punching bag can best be hung - and what the alternatives are if the ceiling is not stable enough.
In this article, we cover everything you need to know about hanging punching bags:
Table of contents:
Where is the best place to hang my punching bag in my home?
Ceiling mounting: Our favorite
Wall mounting: If the ceiling is not suitable
A stylish alternative: wall bars with pull-up bar for hanging punching bags
Hanging punching bags without drilling
How do I attach the punching bag securely to the ceiling or wall? - The ultimate step-by-step guide for all types of ceilings!
Hanging punching bags from the ceiling: which ceilings are suitable (concrete, brick, wooden beams, old buildings)
Attention: These ceilings are problematic (lightweight walls, plasterboard ceilings or suspended ceilings, multiplex or OSB ceilings/walls)
Hanging up a punching bag in a rented apartment: what do you need to consider?
Hanging up children's punching bags: How to do it easily and safely
Which suspension cable or chain should you use?
Punching bag spring: Useful or not?
How high should a punching bag hang?
Hanging up the punching bag checklist: How to do it safely? (incl. required tools)
FAQ about hanging up punching bags
Where is the best place to hang my punching bag in my home?
Here you can find ideas on where to hang your punching bag:
There are two options - on the ceiling or on the wall.
Whether ceiling or wall mounting is better for you depends on how your ceiling is built, how heavy your punching bag is - and of course what you like better visually.
Ceiling mounting: Our favorite
Of course, it looks chic when the punching bag can be hung from the ceiling and hangs freely in the room, which is a really great look for a stylish punching bag.
(Some people actually only buy our punching bags as eye-catchers and design objects 😀).
Good places to hang it up are, for example, the living room, home office or children's room. If you have your own training room, this is of course perfect - but if the punching bag hangs in a room where you spend a lot of time anyway, you will simply train more often, even just a few quick punches in between to relieve stress.
If you are sure that your ceiling or the wooden beam can bear the load, ceiling mounting is the best (and, in our opinion, most elegant) choice.
The big advantage: you can train on the punching bag from all sides.
Make sure that the punching bag is at least 1.5 meters away from walls and furniture - that way it can swing freely and you don't have to worry about it hitting anything.
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Wall mounting: If the ceiling is not suitable
If your ceiling is not stable enough, a punching bag wall mount is a really good alternative.
Make sure that the wall bracket is long enough so that you can move freely during training. Attach the wall mount with the longest possible bracket (at least 60-70 cm extension), ideally 30 cm above the top edge of the punching bag.
Wall mounts like this are available in various designs - but they are usually made of metal and not very elegant. If you search the internet long enough, you will also find wooden wall mounts for punching bags - I did that once because a customer asked for one. In the end, however, the customer opted for a much better alternative made of wood: a wall bar! You can find out more about this here.
A stylish alternative: wall bars with pull-up bar for hanging punching bags
If you don't like normal metal wall mounts, we have a great tip for you:
A wall bar with a protruding pull-up bar on which you can hang the punching bag!
This not only looks better, but also has a major practical advantage:
The wall bars stand on the floor and are also attached to the wall at several points - this means that there is much less point load on the wall. The wall bars can also be securely attached to walls with a lower load-bearing capacity.
A great, stylish solution, especially for the children's room or living room.
Hanging punching bags without drilling
If neither the ceiling nor the wall are suitable or you simply don't want to drill, there is a simple solution:
A free-standing punching bag stand.
These stands are usually made of a sturdy steel construction and are ideal for rented apartments or for anyone who wants to remain flexible.
Sure, they need a bit of space - but you don't have to screw anything into walls or ceilings.
If you are interested in attaching to a wall bars with a pull-up bar, take a look at Edelkraft - a Berlin-based company that specializes in sustainable wall bars.
How do I attach the punching bag securely to the ceiling or wall? - The step-by-step guide for all types of ceilings!
Here you will find a checklist on how to attach your punching bag correctly - depending on which ceiling you have:
Hanging punching bags from the ceiling: which ceilings are suitable?
Concrete ceilings, solid brick ceilings (new buildings)
Here you can simply use a ceiling bracket or a screw hook.
You will need an impact drill, heavy-duty dowels or concrete anchors and suitable screws.
Wooden beams
Perfectly suited!
A sturdy screw hook with a wooden thread that you screw directly into the beam is often sufficient here. No special bracket required.
Old building ceilings
A little more complicated, but usually doable:
Old buildings often have ceilings made of wooden beams with floorboards on top and a layer of plaster or plasterboard.
Under no circumstances should you simply drill into the cladding, but look for the supporting wooden beam.
Procedure:
Locate the wooden beam with a beam finder or by tapping it lightly.
Use a thin drill bit to make one or more test holes to hit the beam. The holes can easily be filled again later.
Use a long, sturdy swing hook or wooden screw hook (at least 10x140 mm) and screw it directly into the wood.
If you want to distribute the load better, you can also mount a small metal plate with several screws and attach the suspension to it.
Extra tip:
If you are unsure or the bars look very thin, it is better to opt for a wall bar solution or free-standing punching bag stands.
Attention: These ceilings are problematic:
Lightweight walls, plasterboard ceilings or suspended ceilings
You should not hang a punching bag here (not even a lightweight children's punching bag) unless you can find a load-bearing beam or steel girder. For suspended ceilings, you may want to try the old building variant.
Multiplex or OSB ceilings/walls
Suitable for lightweight junior punching bags up to approx. 10 kg.
Not strong enough for punching bags weighing approx. 20 kg or more. It is better to mount a wall bar and attach the punching bag to it.
Hanging up a punching bag in a rented apartment: what do you need to consider?
You can generally hang up a punching bag in a rented apartment - you don't need any extra permission from the landlord as long as you return the apartment to its original condition later (e.g. seal the wall plug holes properly).
Important:
Especially in old buildings or houses with thin ceilings, check beforehand whether the ceiling or wall can bear the load.
If you want to be on the safe side or the ceiling seems critical, we recommend a free-standing punching bag stand or mounting it on a wall bar.
Hanging up children's punching bags: How to do it easily and safely
You don't need a complex heavy-duty assembly for children's punching bags:
A junior punching bag weighing 8 kg can easily be hung on a sturdy screw hook - even on a less solid children's bedroom ceiling.
Don't worry - children hit much easier, so there is hardly any strain.
Which suspension cable or chain should you use?
You can simply use a a strong cotton rope, a nylon rope or a metal chain (with a more industrial look). Make sure that the rope is at least 10 mm thick.
We supply our punching bags with a strong snap hook and a 10 mm thick, 3 meter long cotton rope in natural white - strong enough for punching bags up to 50 kg.
Punching bag spring: Useful or not?
If your punching bag swings too much, we recommend a punching bag spring.
This steel spring is suspended between the suspension and the punching bag and significantly reduces the vibration.
This not only protects your mount, but also reduces vibrations and noise. A punching bag spring (also known as a swivel) is usually only required for very heavy punching bags weighing 40 kg or more.
How high should a punching bag hang?
The optimum height depends on what you want to train:
In classic boxing, the top edge of your punching bag should be about 10 cm higher than your own height.
In kickboxing or Muay Thai, where kicks are involved, the punching bag should hang lower and be longer overall (e.g. a kickboxing bag or a 120 cm punching bag).
Tip:
If you hang your punching bag on a chain, you can flexibly adjust the height. A rope also offers you the option of flexibly adjusting the suspension height by simply tying a knot or using a 'height adjuster' (latch or clamp that holds the rope in the desired position). This allows you to quickly and easily adjust the punching bag to the desired height as required.
However, make sure that the punching bag swings more if the chains or ropes are too long - a punching bag spring can help here.
The most important facts in brief:
Choose ceiling or wall mounting depending on the room structure and punching bag weight.
For wall mounting, choose the longest possible bracket (at least 60-70 cm).
Wall bars are a stylish and practical alternative.
A punching bag spring between the chain and hook reduces vibrations.
For classic boxing training: upper edge of the punching bag approx. 10 cm higher than your height.
Hanging up a punching bag is permitted in rented apartments - no landlord's permission required.
Hanging up the punching bag checklist: How to do it safely (incl. tools required)
Check punching bag weight
How heavy is your punching bag?
(Light punching bags up to 15 kg = easier / heavy punching bags from 20 kg = more care required)
Select mounting location
Ceiling or wall suitable?
Wooden beams, solid concrete ceiling or solid brick wall present?
Prepare material
Heavy-duty dowel or concrete dowel
Screw hooks or suspension
Drill, wrench, beam finder
Secure fastening
Drill into solid material (not just plaster or plasterboard)
Use the right screws and dowel size
Mount the suspension tight and straight
Attach punching bag
Use rope, chain or spring
Check that the suspension is secure
Check distance
At least 1.5 m space around the punching bag
Adjust height
Upper edge about 10 cm above your height (for classic boxing)
Slightly lower if kicks are also trained
Last check
Everything solid?
The punching bag may swing slightly, but the suspension must not move or wobble.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about punching bag suspension
Do I have to ask my landlord if I want to hang up a punching bag in a rented apartment?
No, you don't have to - as long as you close the dowel holes properly when you move out.
Hanging up a punching bag is not considered a structural alteration. It is only important that you restore everything cleanly after moving out.
How do I find out if my blanket can carry a punching bag?
Tap the ceiling or use a beam finder (also known as a multi-detector) to find load-bearing beams or stable areas. In old ceilings, it is worth carefully opening a small piece of plasterboard to see directly where a wooden beam or steel girder runs.
Important: Always hang the punching bag directly on a load-bearing element, not just in the plasterboard!
Can I attach my punching bag without drilling?
Yes, if you don't want to drill holes, you can use a free-standing punching bag stand. This is a sturdy steel frame construction that you can simply set up - perfect for rented apartments or if you want to remain flexible.
Which is better - rope or chain for suspension?
Our punching bags are supplied with a 10 mm thick, 3 meter long cotton rope in natural white, which is strong enough for all our models. If you like the natural look, you can use the rope directly.
Alternatively, you can of course also use a metal chain - depending on your taste and style.
Perhaps also interesting for you:
➔ Punching bag for children - what parents should look out for
➔ Punching bag at home - your guide to the perfect home gym
