How to Build the Best Sandbag for Strength Training
Sandbags are easy to make, but difficult to get right. The sand even goes in a bag if you buy it at the store, but throw it on the ground two or three times and the sand and bag will go loose.
This is important because a sturdy sandbag is a great workout tool. You can pick up, throw and drag your gritty friend in dozens of different ways. Deadlift. Wear it over your shoulder. Peel it, yank and burpee on the way down, and call ithuman creator . Throw it in front of you andrun after it to throw it again . You will need a sturdy sandbag to withstand all of this.
So, after doing a lot of research on creating your own sandbag online and testing some of the techniques ourselves, we have some guidelines on the best way to create a sandbag.
Filler
Sand, huh? This is one of the options. But sand loves to seep out of seams and holes. It’s also thick, which is great if you want to make your bag very heavy or very small.
Fine gravel weighs and costs about the same as sand, but is less gritty. However, it may not be as comfortable on your shoulder. Larger gravels will work, but the larger the rocks, the stronger the feeling of being hit by a bag of rocks will be on your shoulder.
There are two easier options to consider. Wood pellets, which are produced as fuel for wood stoves, are about half the density of sand. They are the size of Hot Tamales lollipops. Expect to find some sawdust in your bag, but not a lot. This is another option cleaner than sand.
Rubber mulch is lightweight but worth considering if you want to build a sandbag (mulch bag?) That is physically large but doesn’t weigh a ton. Rubber mulch is more expensive than the above options.
Here are the key numbers for these four options, including the prices I found when I went shopping:
- Sand : about $ 4 for 50 pounds 0.5 cubic feet
- Fine gravel : about $ 4 for 48 pounds 0.5 cubic feet.
- Wood pellets : about $ 5 for 40 pounds 1 cubic foot
- Rubber mulch : about $ 10 for 21 lb 0.8 cubic feet
Liner bags
What is sand included in? A non-canvas bag is the next step. Whichever filler you choose, you need to put it inside something sand-proof (optional, but recommended) and which can be closed securely.
If your sandbag gets wet, it gets heavier. This could be a plus! But it can also get moldy, dirty, or dirty. If you plan on using it outdoors, something waterproof is best. Consider:
- Sandbags for the construction of dams in flood waters.
- Inner inner tubes from car tires (use only these, they are called bulgarian training bags ).
- Large zip freezer bags (double or triple).
- Heavy duty “contractor” trash bags (3 mil or more), ideally packed in double or triple bags.
Think for a moment how many liners you want. If you have 50 pounds of sand, you can make a 20 pound bag and a 30 pound bag so you have three different workout options (using one or the other, or both).
Do not fill these bags to capacity, otherwise you will just make cramped bricks. The key feature of the sandbag is that it fits and conforms to your shoulder. Leave some space in whatever lining you use. To seal your chosen bag, tie a knot if possible and then tape it with duct tape to secure the seams and stabilize the bag.
Contractor’s litter bags are probably the best option if you don’t have internal cameras close at hand; they are cheap per pack, $ 15 to $ 20 for a box of 24. They’re big enough for you to have a lot of extra plastic. Wrap it tightly around the bag (or cut to size if you like) and glue the edges to create a self-contained package.
External bag
The best sandbags (in my opinion) are in the shape of a duffel bag with two chunky handles parallel to each other, which is perpendicular to how the handles of a duffel bag usually move. Brute Force sandbags are one of the commercial brands created this way. If you fall in love with a particular brand, you can always buy empty bags from them. But if you make your own, I guess you can’t dump $ 80 on an empty bag.
So, take a look at the military surplus bags. They are well made, usually from canvas, and can often be bought cheaply. Look for either a gym bag or a simple drawstring barracks bag .
Or save your bag. Avoid bags with a hard bottom, small plastic feet, or piped seams (these seams will burst when you drop them the first time). If you need to choose between a sturdy bag containing any of these knickknacks or a thinner, simpler, and simpler bag, go for the simple one.
No store-bought duffel bag will have a pen in its ideal configuration, but you can fix it with a needle and thread. You’ll need:
- Extra strong padding or quilting thread
- Medium sewing needle
- Scissors
- Thimble (optional)
Cut one of the duffel straps about two inches from where it is attached to the bag. Cut the other strap on the diagonal opposite side. You now have two loose straps, and you can cut each to length and sew each to the other’s cap. (Use reverse stitch and sew a square with an X in the middle.)
If there are other straps on the bag, cut them off or secure with duct tape. Then enjoy it! Remember to check your earbuds every few workouts to make sure nothing is leaking. Add more duct tape or additional layers of trash bags as needed.