Wavemaster Punching Bag Review: This is a great, compact freestanding punching bag that’s great for home use. It offers great quality at a very good price. Whether you want to set up a gym in your garage, guest room, or patio, the Wavemaster will fit perfectly.
With over 18 years of martial arts experience under my belt, I’ve tried a lot of punching bags over the years. So I know how hard it can be to get a gym-quality workout when you’re at home. Installing hanging bags takes a lot of effort and doesn’t work for people in rentals, so portable standing bags are the best option. Many brands are available, but the Wavemaster from Century is always at the top of the list.
One of the many notable benefits of the Wavemaster Punching Bag is that it’s accessible for a beginner, whether an adult or a child. But it’s also durable enough to withstand kicks and punches from a more experienced fighter, making it an excellent choice for a home gym.
I’ve tested the Wavemaster Punching Bag because I wanted to see if all the hype was warranted. The foam held up regardless of my workout intensity, and the vinyl was almost impossible to crack or tear.
The Wavemaster has other great features, too. You can adjust the height of the bag, fill the base with water to make it sturdier, and practice various punches and kicks without damaging it.
Table of Contents:
1. Best Features
1.1. Large Base
1.2. Quality Materials
1.3. Adjustable Height Options
1.4. Bounces Back
1.5. Portability
2. Benefits
3. Disadvantages
4. Alternatives
5. Conclusion
Overview
Pros:
- A freestanding punching bag is easy to assemble.
- Adjust the height between 47 to 68 inches tall.
- Make the base heavier with sand or water for more resistance.
- Includes a one-year warranty.
Cons:
- The base can scratch the floor, so be careful using it inside.
1. Best Features of the Wavemaster Punching Bag
The Wavemaster Punching Bagis one of the most popular and reliable bags on the market. While many think punching bags are very straightforward, this option provides more than the basics. Find out why this is the best choice when you learn about the impressive features it offers.
1.1. Large Base
The large low-profile base on the Wavemaster Punching Bag provides a sturdy foundation for the bag. You don’t have to find a place to hang the bag, so you can set it up anywhere with enough space to practice your punches and kicks.
You can fill the hollow base with sand or water to make it sturdier. Filling it ensures it stays in one place while working out and can add resistance to your routine.
The fillable base is a durable plastic that extends up into the core. This streamlined design means you don’t have to worry about the force of your kicks or punches knocking the bag off the stand.
1.2. Quality Materials
Century sources quality materials and makes Wavemaster Punching Bags in the United States. The bag uses high-density EPE foam covered in tough vinyl to last for years without ripping. The plastic base can handle about 20 gallons of sand or water without overflowing or cracking.
Many fighters have had the same Wavemaster Punching Bag for years without seeing wear and tear. A local fighting school has the same Wavemaster they bought a decade ago, with hundreds of students using it.
That long-lasting feature shows that Century uses quality materials. If the punching bag can withstand that much constant use, you know it can give you a great workout, too.
1.3. Adjustable Height Options
There are seven different height options for this punching bag. You can start with 47 inches and work up to 68 inches tall. Each option is three inches higher than the last, so you’re making minor but noticeable adjustments. The increments ensure you’ll find the perfect height to get the most out of your workout.
1.4. Bounces Back
The punching bag has high-density foam filling that bounces back when you punch and kick it. It’s durable and lasts for years, regardless of how much you beat it. That foam makes it an ideal bag for beginners who will increase their strength with practice. However, its size and portability make it great for anyone who wants to work out at home.
1.5. Portability
Installing hanging punching bags takes a lot of effort. You need a rafter sturdy enough to handle the weight, ensuring it’s in an area where you can move as much as you need. Once you hang it, that’s it. It’ll be there until you want to fuss about moving it somewhere else.
The Wavemaster is portable, so you don’t have to deal with that issue. You can tip it onto its side and roll it to a different location. If you fill the heavy base, the bag weighs 270 pounds. However, if you use water, you can always drain, move, and refill the rounded base. Either way you move it, it’s simpler than the installation requirements for a hanging bag.
2. Benefits of the Wavemaster Punching Bag
The height adjustments are one of the most significant benefits of the Wavemaster Punching Bag. You can lower it to practice your kicks, then raise it for the best punching stance. Since hanging bags have a height limitation once you install them, the adjustable element makes the Wavemaster a great choice.
It’s easy to put water in the base of the punching bag to get the sturdiest results. You can still punch the Wavemaster without filling it, but you’ll follow the bag around the room as it slides. Even when you fill the base, you can still move the bag around your house or home gym by tipping it on its side and rolling it. Just think of it as part of your workout.
The rounded base extends into the core as a single base neck connection. Both are thick plastic that keeps the punching bag in one piece. This design also improves the bag’s ability to resist your punches because it must move as one piece, and due to the weighted base and overall durability, it won’t.
3. Disadvantages of the Wavemaster Punching Bag
As much as I love the Wavemaster, there are always some disadvantages. Despite the quality foam and vinyl exterior, this bag isn’t as padded as you’re used to at the gym, and you’ll want to wear bag gloves during use.
The bag will move all over the place if you don’t fill the base. The plastic can scratch the floor, so if you’re using this inside on wooden floors, you’ll hate the results. You can put an old towel or carpet remnant under the punching bag base to protect your floor, but it’s still frustrating.
The adjustable height is a benefit, but using it on the highest setting can be a disadvantage. Your higher punches and kicks could knock down the entire bag if you’re tall. When you have it fully extended, it’s only about 5’6”, so taller fighters might not get much punching practice from this bag.
While the Wavemaster is an excellent option for a home gym, don’t go into this purchase thinking you’re getting a professional-grade bag. All the negative reviews seem disappointed that this bag isn’t as heavy as they wanted it, while the specs say it’s 250 pounds. Sure, it’s not one you use at the MMA gym with a tall base, but it’s enough for home training sessions.
Depending on what you’re willing to spend, the price can be a benefit or a disadvantage. While it’s affordable compared to many punching bags, it’s out of many people’s budgets. However, there are quality alternatives available.
4. Alternatives to the Wavemaster Punching Bag
Despite all its outstanding features and benefits, the Wavemaster Punching Bag isn’t for everyone. These alternatives offer a similar product with other advantages, so you can still train from home with quality punching bags.
Dripex Freestanding Punching Bag
The Dripex Freestanding Punching Bag is the best budget option, and it’s more affordable than the Wavemaster but still provides a quality punching bag. The rounded base includes strong suction cups to keep it in place on hardwood, concrete, or laminate flooring. This bag has a tall base and a higher center of mass, so your most powerful punch could knock it over.
RDX Freestanding Punching Bag
The RDX Freestanding Punching Bag has suction cups on the bottom, just like the Dripex version. You can extend the eight legs to widen the rounded base and make it stronger against your punches. The primary reason for the price difference is that RDX uses Maya Hide Leather instead of vinyl, ensuring your punching bag stays in great shape for years.
5. Conclusion
The Wavemaster Punching Bag is a great choice for anyone new to training, even children. Its compact size makes it ideal for home gyms, too, whether you’re working out in your garage or your living room.
The adjustable height means you can use this bag for various kicking and punching exercises without strain. It’s sturdy enough to handle speed, force, and grappling. It’s easy to set up and fill the base, and you can still move it around if necessary. The Wavemaster is a handy bag for any martial artist to use at home.
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