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Century is the brand behind the Wavemaster and BOB, two free-standing bags that are common sights in karate and kickboxing schools. It also makes fight simulators, Thai bags and simple hanging heavy bags. That range is the problem: "Century punching bag" can mean a 37-inch kids' target or a 69-inch kick bag on a 270 lb base.
This guide sorts the Century lineup by what you'll use it for. Specs come from Century and the bags' retailer listings. If you want the deepest look at a single model, our full Wavemaster punching bag and BOB punching bag reviews go further.
Our top picks at a glance
Quick Picks
- Best Overall: Century Original Wavemaster Freestanding Punching Bag. Best for families and mixed heights, with seven settings from 47 to 68 inches.
- Best for Kicks: Century Wavemaster 2XL Pro. Best for a long striking area for punches and kicks.
- Best for Big Hitters: Century XXL Wavemaster. Best for heavier adults who need a wider target.
- Best Target Practice: Century BOB - Body Opponent Bag. Best for aiming at a realistic head and torso.
- Best for MMA: Century Versys VS.1 Fight Simulator. Best for strikes plus clinch and grappling drills, with a pre-filled base.
- Best Hanging Bag: Century Creed 100 lb. Muay Thai Hanging Bag. Best for a wide, long kick bag.
- Best Budget Hanging Bag: Century Traditional Heavy Bag. Best for a simple 70 or 100 lb boxing bag.
Comparison Table
| Century model | Type | Best for | Height | Weight | Key spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Wavemaster | Free-standing | Overall | 47–68 in (7 settings) | About 250 lb (water-filled base) | 18 oz vinyl over high-density foam | Check price |
| Wavemaster 2XL Pro | Free-standing | Kicks | Over 65 in | About 270 lb (water-filled base) | Longer striking area, tapered base | Check price |
| XXL Wavemaster | Free-standing | Big hitters | 69 in | Up to 270 lb (filled base) | 52 in bag, 18 in diameter | Check price |
| BOB | Free-standing body bag | Target practice | 60–78 in | About 250 lb (water-filled base) | Lifelike torso | Check price |
| Versys VS.1 | Free-standing fight simulator | MMA | Over 65 in | Pre-filled base | Top and bottom handles | Check price |
| Creed 100 lb Thai bag | Hanging | Kick bag | 70 in | 100 lb | 15 in diameter | See options |
| Traditional | Hanging | Budget boxing bag | 40 or 42 in | 70 or 100 lb | Fiber-filled vinyl | See options |
The Best Century Punching Bags, Reviewed
Century Original Wavemaster Freestanding Punching Bag: Best Overall
Who it's for: Families and martial artists who need one bag for users of different heights.
The original Wavemaster is Century's long-running core model, and its big advantage is adjustability: seven height settings from 47 to 68 inches, changed with a lift, turn and lock. That makes it one of the few free-standing bags that suits both a 10-year-old and an adult. It uses 18 oz vinyl over high-density foam and weighs about 250 lb with a water-filled base.
For most homes, that combination is the sweet spot. It's not as big as the 2XL Pro or XXL, so heavy adults who kick hard may find it moves, but for punches, light kicks and shared use it's the safe pick.
Pros
- Seven height settings, 47–68 in
- About 250 lb with water
- Proven, long-running design
Cons
- Smaller striking area than the 2XL Pro and XXL
- Moves under very hard kicks
Century Wavemaster 2XL Pro: Best for Kicks
Who it's for: Kickboxers and martial artists who want one tall target for punches and kicks.
The 2XL Pro stands over 65 inches tall, with a longer striking area than the standard model so you can practice kicks and punches on one target. The tapered base leaves room for your feet in a fighting stance, and Century rates it at about 270 lb when the base is filled with water. Sand makes it heavier still. The cover is 18 oz vinyl over high-density foam.
The tapered base is a small detail that matters: on many free-standing bags you stub your toes on the base when you step in. It doesn't have the original's height adjustment, so it suits adults more than kids.
Pros
- Long striking area for kicks
- Tapered base for stance room
- About 270 lb with water
Cons
- Not height adjustable like the original
- Heavy to move when filled
Century XXL Wavemaster: Best for Big Hitters
Who it's for: Heavier adults and hard kickers who find the standard Wavemaster too small.
The XXL has a 52-inch bag with an 18-inch diameter, sitting on a 28-inch base for a total height of 69 inches. Century says it offers more than twice the striking area of the original. Filled with sand or water, the base weighs up to 270 lb, and the cover is the same 18 oz vinyl over high-density foam.
The wider column gives big kicks and hooks more to land on. It's tall and bulky, so measure your space.
Pros
- 18 in diameter, 52 in bag
- More than twice the original's striking area, per Century
- Base up to 270 lb
Cons
- Bulky footprint
- Fixed height
Century BOB - Body Opponent Bag: Best Target Practice
Who it's for: Self-defense students and martial artists who want to aim at a chin, nose and ribs.
BOB is a lifelike synthetic torso on a free-standing base. It adjusts in seven steps from 60 to 78 inches and weighs about 250 lb with a water-filled base. The original BOB is mainly for punches and hand strikes; the BOB XL has a longer torso that Century says adds options including kicks.
BOB is a precision tool, not a power bag. If you mainly want conditioning, start with a Wavemaster or a hanging bag. Our full BOB punching bag review compares the original and XL in detail.
Pros
- Realistic targets
- 60–78 in height range
- About 250 lb with water
Cons
- Not a power or conditioning bag
- Oversize item to ship and return
Century Versys VS.1 Fight Simulator: Best for MMA
Who it's for: Kids, teens and adults in karate, taekwondo, kickboxing or MMA who want strikes and grappling drills.
The VS.1 is a free-standing "fight simulator" with a pre-filled base, so there's no water or sand to deal with. Century says the base gives a natural rebound and is soft, so it's less likely to scratch floors or make noise. Top and bottom handles let you practice clinch knees and throws, and Century rates it for use with or without gloves. The cover is 18 oz heavy-duty vinyl over foam, and it stands over 65 inches tall.
No filling makes it the easiest Century bag to set up and move. It's built for versatility rather than heavy punching power.
Pros
- Pre-filled base, no water or sand
- Handles for clinch and throws
- Floor-friendly soft base
Cons
- Not a heavy power bag
- Less stable than a sand-filled Wavemaster under hard strikes
Century Creed 100 lb. Muay Thai Hanging Bag: Best Hanging Bag
Who it's for: Kickers who want a fatter target than the usual 13- to 14-inch Thai bag.
Century's Creed Thai bag is listed at 100 lb, 70 inches tall and 15 inches in diameter, with a vinyl shell and a 2-year manufacturer's warranty. The extra width makes round kicks and knees easier to land cleanly, and at 70 inches it's a touch shorter than 72-inch Thai bags, which buys a little ceiling clearance.
You'll need a solid mount or a stand rated for 100 lb plus dynamic loads. For more long bags, see our Muay Thai heavy bag guide.
Pros
- 15 in diameter for easier kicks
- 70 in length reaches low kicks
- 2-year warranty, per listing
Cons
- Needs a strong mount
- Vinyl, not leather
Century Creed 100 lb. Muay Thai Hanging Bag
by Century
Currently unavailable on Amazon
Century Traditional Heavy Bag: Best Budget Hanging Bag
Who it's for: New boxers and fitness punchers who want an honest, no-frills hanging bag.
Century keeps this one simple: a black vinyl shell filled with fibers, hung with heavy-duty chains and web straps. It comes in two sizes: the 70 lb bag is 13 inches across and 40 inches tall, and the 100 lb bag is 13 x 42 inches. That covers most adults on the half-your-body-weight rule of thumb.
Pair it with Century's steel heavy bag stand if you have no safe ceiling: the stand holds a bag up to 100 lb, stands 82.5 inches tall and has a 48 x 48 inch footprint. Our heavy bag stand guide compares other stands.
Pros
- Simple and affordable
- 70 or 100 lb sizes
- Chains and straps included
Cons
- Short for low kicks
- Basic vinyl shell
Century Traditional Heavy Bag
by Century
Currently unavailable on Amazon
How to Choose a Century Bag
Free-standing or hanging?
Century's strength is free-standing bags: no drilling, easy to move, and shared by different users. Hanging bags give a heavier, more realistic feel for boxing power and swing back at you. If you rent or have no safe beam, start with a Wavemaster.
Pick the Wavemaster by your size
| You | Best Wavemaster | Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Kids (and growing families) | Kid Kick Wavemaster (37–52 in) or original Wavemaster | See options |
| Most adults, shared use | Original Wavemaster (47–68 in) | Check price |
| Tall adults, lots of kicks | Wavemaster 2XL Pro | Check price |
| Heavy adults, hard hitters | XXL Wavemaster | Check price |
The Kid Kick Wavemaster adjusts from 37 to 52 inches and weighs about 170 lb with water, which suits younger martial artists.
Base fill
Century's base weights are for water. Sand is denser and adds stability, but it's much harder to empty. If the bag will live in one spot, sand is worth it.
Weight for hanging bags
For hanging bags, a common starting point is about half your body weight. Our punching bag weight calculator runs the numbers for you.
Century vs. Everlast
Everlast is Century's main rival. Century's large Wavemasters are taller and heavier than most Everlast free-standing models, and BOB has no real Everlast equivalent. Everlast's Powercore is a solid mid-weight alternative. See our Everlast vs Century comparison and the full free-standing punching bag roundup.
Common Mistakes
- Buying the original Wavemaster for hard kicks at 200 lb-plus. Size up to the 2XL Pro or XXL.
- Filling with water and expecting no movement. Use sand or a mat for more stability.
- Treating BOB as a power bag. It's for accuracy and realism.
- Hanging a 100 lb bag from a weak joist. Use a rated mount or stand.
How We Chose
We researched Century's lineup rather than testing it. Heights, weights, diameters and materials come from Century's product information and retailer listings, which we cross-checked against our individual reviews. We matched each model to a specific use and weighed common owner feedback about stability, sliding, durability and assembly.
FAQ
Is Century a good punching bag brand?
Yes. Century is a long-established martial arts equipment maker, and its Wavemaster and BOB bags are common in martial arts schools. Its bags are strongest in the free-standing category; for hanging bags, it offers simpler vinyl models like the Traditional and the Creed Thai bag.
Which Century punching bag is best for adults?
The original Wavemaster suits most adults and families thanks to its 47 to 68 inch height range and roughly 250 lb water-filled base. Bigger adults and hard kickers should look at the 2XL Pro or XXL, which have larger striking areas and bases rated up to about 270 lb.
Should I fill a Century Wavemaster with sand or water?
Century's weight figures are for water, which is easier to fill and drain. Sand is denser, so the same base weighs more and slides less, but it's much harder to empty if you move. Many people use sand when the bag will stay in one place.
Does Century make a punching bag stand?
Yes. Century's steel heavy bag stand holds a hanging bag up to 100 lb, stands 82.5 inches tall and has a 48 x 48 inch footprint, with weight pegs for plates. It pairs with the 70 lb or 100 lb Century Traditional bag.
What is the Century Versys?
Versys is Century's line of free-standing fight simulators. The VS.1 has a pre-filled base, so there's no water or sand to deal with, and top and bottom handles for clinch knees and throws, which makes it popular for MMA and martial arts classes.
Verdict
The original Wavemaster is the Century punching bag to buy for most homes: seven height settings, a 250 lb water-filled base and a long-running design. Go bigger with the 2XL Pro or XXL if you kick hard, choose BOB for realistic targets, and pick the Versys VS.1 if you train MMA and want a no-fill setup.