I’m looking for something to put in the basement and am wondering about a standard heavy bag or a BOB (Body Opponent Bag) for practicing striking at home. May incorporate it into WODs at some point. I like the idea of the BOB for target specific strikes (eyes, throat, etc.) and chokes. But then some people say the heavy bags are nice because they encourage movement. Any recommendations here?

Dale I would go with just the heavy bag. For using it in a WOD or for practical street fighting, you will get more use this way. Don’t need to worry about precise targets, just hit it!

Way outside my field of expertise (unless you count knowing how to fall down ), but something I’m interested in.

Couldn’t you draw/paint/pin/whatever an image of a person to the heavy bag if you wanted to practise targeted strikes?
As I recall some heavy bag mounting systems allow them to rotate to some degree so that and having it swaying from impact would seem more useful to me than a static target.

I really hate the BOB bag.

Thanks guys. Heavy bag it is. Better to suspend from the floor joists or do the stands work ok?

Suspended the heavy bag is best, some of the stands just aren’t strong enough. You will spending too much time picking the bag up.

i prefer heavy bag, most bobs are girls and break down too easy ,it was funny to try out bob ,but with gloves it isnt the big difference for me hitting a “face” or just the bag, and without gloves for targetting practice i am usually focusing on wrinkles wich appear thru punching, or u can also use little colour stickers to hit for targetting practice ,if u have a trainingspartner he could give u commands to train a little stress ,to cause even more stress u can switch commands then (red u hit yellow ,.....) : )
so all in all i prefer good old heavy bag ,it is more honest in my opinion. greetings from vienna

THey both have there pros and cons, but i prefer the heavy bag because of the added resistance. THe bad thing about the heavy bag is that the shape doesnt allow for certian shots (like uppercuts). I think for power, you cant beat the heavy bag. But for accuracy and target association the bob is really usefull. It all depends on what you are wanting to train at this particualr point in your training.
Hope this helps