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It is uncommon for putting a punching bag inside of a home to be as certain as attaching it to a conveniently positioned steel support beam. This is especially true given that so few current houses are designed in such a sturdy manner. If your home gym’s ceiling is composed of weak drywall or has exposed wood joists, ensure it can withstand the weight and pounding of a punching bag before hanging one. A solid exposed beam would be the greatest option. Making a mistake concerning the sturdiness of your ceiling could cause it to collapse, jeopardizing the structural integrity of your home.
1st Step: Analyze Ceiling for Holding the Punching Bag
Take a look at the spot on the ceiling where you intend to put it so you can check if your ceiling can hold a punching bag, and then make a list of the many mounting choices available to you, given the designs and materials you are dealing with. You can drill a hole in one joist or use a rafter hanger fastened to two joists if your ceiling has exposed wood joists. When working with a plywood ceiling, eye-loop hangers can be secured to the surface with wood screws; however, drywall anchors and screws or molly bolts are required when working with a drywall ceiling instead. You could also drill through drywall and install an eye-loop screw into a wood joist behind it.
2nd Step: Calculate Weight of Punching Bag
Calculate the weight that each of your installation alternatives can support, considering the ceiling material. If you have an eye-loop hanger with four screw holes and 30-pound drywall anchors, the hanger should be able to sustain 120 pounds; however, drywall is a brittle material. That may be sufficient for a very small heavy bag or a bag with two ends, but not for a midrange or large, heavy bag. On the other hand, a plywood mount might withstand more weight and shock.
3rd Step: Increase Weight at the End of Punching Bag
Because punching bags shake with every strike, increase the indicated weight of the bag to check if the ceiling can hold the punching bag and allow for the wear and tear value of shock on the ceiling mount. Increase the weight of the bag by 1/3 to 1/2 for a heavy bag. Increase the weight by two or three times if you want a double-ended bag, which weighs very little yet gyrates violently.
4th Step: Check with Alternatives of Punching Bags
Review your alternatives for attaching the heavy bag to the ceiling and compare them to the results of your calculations on the amount of weight and shock that will be placed on the mount by the heavy bag. This will inform you if the heavy bag you wish to hang from your ceiling will be able to support it.
