Which is better to fill the base of my freestanding heavy bag..sand or water?

Answer 1

Sand

Answer 2

That depends on where the bag will be, how you will use it and how you want the bag to respond.

If the bag is going to be over a carpeted area I would suggest sand. It's easier to clean up a spill of sand then of water on carpet. The opposite also holds true if this is over tile or smooth flooring, sand can cause you to slip worse on smooth surfaces then water does and both are easy to clean up.

If the bag will be moved regularly water is easier to deal with since you can just dump it and it goes away. Sand needs to be removed carefully if at all.

Lastly, unless they are perfectly filled, and I mean perfectly, sand and water produce slightly different feels to the bag. Sand will hold the bag almost immobile where water due to inertia and moment of force will allow a little sway to the bag, so it will move away slightly more then sand and then swing back and forth for a moment. In laymen terms the water swishes back and forth some causing a slight rocking movement after a hit. The only way to avoid that swaying is to fill the bottom completely so that there is no air in the base at all. This is quite tricky since most bases are not designed properly for that kind of filling.

Answer 3

I like water. Sand is heavier & makes the bag more stable, but too stable. When I kick a water filled bag, it falls down. A sand fill bag usually doesn't, resulting in more stress on the stand. Bags seem to last longer when the base is filled with water.

Answer 4

Sand versus Water depends on a couple of things...
1) How much resistance? the amount of water or sand changes the resistance; sand will increase it more especially depending on how densely packed or if it is mixed with some rock
2) Ease to manage? water is quick...just get a hose and fill her up.... downside is that if the closure ever strips you can lose water which could make for a slippery situation

I've chosen water most of the time because it still provides a stable base but I can quickly empty it for moving if I need to and then quickly fill it back up--besides knocking down the bag once in a while is nice to feel follow through with techniques.

good luck training!
have fun,
Tim

Answer 5

I was always afraid the water would leak, sand.

A hanging bag is better than a standing one, if you can have one.

Answer 6

Sand is a better choice if you don't plan on moving the bag. However, if you plan on taking this bag with you, then water may be a better choice because it is cheaper/easier to replace.

Answer 7

I like to fill them with sand. They are more stable that way and water will go bad.

Answer 8

Sand breeds less germs and fungus, it is also less destructive if it spills.
(Try kitty litter for a fresh scent.)

Answer 9

sand is heavier, so if you are a hard hitter, go sand.

Answer 10

It depends on what type it is , although either would probably do .