Advice on speed bag platform options?

[tm3]

New member here, excited about setting up my home gym but confused and looking for some advice.

I can mount the speed bag platform on a cinder block wall, but prefer the flexibility of having something that is free standing so I am leaning towards a "cage" type structure built from 4x4s and 2x6s. Would it really be better to do a wall mount?

As far as the platform itself I see a lot of choices such as Balazs, Valor, etc. I can afford to buy a nice one. Does it need to be adjustable if I am the only one using it? I have access to wood and woodworking expertise and can build the wood platform -- can the metal frames be purchase without the wood platform? Is the Balazs IBox a good choice? Anything similar out there that is better?

I have read recommendations here for 30" platforms but have only seen 24" as the largest offered commercially, which would be another argument for DIY.

Thanks for any suggestions. I am sure that more questions will follow.

[Dutchman]

Welcome to the forum! If you choose not to mount to the block wall, then a cage is the next best thing. Our fearless leader Tim has built a stout cage that has given him yoeman's service. If you look in the "gold mine" section of the forums you'll find several different versions there. As far as the platform itself, you have several options. You can use a non adjustable, which if you are only going to hit on one size of bag height will not be an issue once you dial it in. Most here, however, have started out on larger bags and as their skill level advances graduate to smaller and smaller bags. This entails either being able to adjust the height of the platform, or building a platform to stand on to raise you up to the proper height.
Most of the major brands of platforms are more than suitable for our use. Balazs and Prime Fighter offer the 30" platform option. This is preferable if you are going to use extra large bags. If you are going to start with say a 7x10 a 24" platform is more than adequate for the purpose.

If you go with the free standing cage, then you have a couple of choices for a platform. You can laminate several commercially available rounds into one and mount it to the top members of the cage. The other is to make the top of the cage one solid piece, a roof if you will. Three quarter ply with cross members to cut down on vibration and you'll have an example of an old school set up.

[tm3]

Great point about the different bag sizes and height adjustability -- I did not think about that. So I should shoot for a platform that offers some height adjustment.

I don't know what size bag to start with so I can't make a call on 24" or 30." Hopefully some more reading here will give insight.

Off the gold mine area to look at some cage examples. Thanks for helping out!

[Digger7]

If you go with a 24 inch platform and later want to get a larger bag, you might wish you had gone with the 30 inch.

I made a 36 inch platform so I could hit larger bags as a "workout" bag (I have a few monster size antique bags).

I like having the bag platform mounted solidly instead of it being adjustable (less platform vibration and movement). I mounted my platform at a fixed height for a large bag. When I switch to a smaller bag, the platform becomes a little too high for me so I stand on a 3 inch wood platform I made.

[Niki Knuckles]

No such thing as the best! It's all relative to ones perception.

Welcome to the forum.