The fitness industry is always changing and evolving. Every year there is more and more equipment/programs/methods on the market and claiming to be the best. Sometimes this can get a little overwhelming for people. Too many options can seem confusing and really hard to sort out. On the other hand it gives you plenty of things to try out. I don’t believe that any one program or piece of equipment is better than the other. I DO believe that there is a program and equipment/style that is better for YOU.
“Exercise you love, is exercise you’ll do”- Jill Coleman
I am a full believer in doing what you love. Although my love affair with fitness started with spin classes and heavy barbell/dumbbell lifting, I have had the opportunity to explore and discover so much more. Being a fitness enthusiast I seem to really enjoy it all, but there are a few some trends that I stick with and go back to over and over and over again because they truly inspire me. One of those things is Sandbag Training.
Sandbag Training is not new. People have been filling bags with heavy material (pebbles, sand, buckwheat) and moving them around for quite a while. There are Bulgarian bags, tactical bags, home made duffel bags, but my favorite is the DVRT Ultimate Sandbag. I believe they have refined and in my opinion done the best job making it sandbag training accessible to all. Also they sell them in pink. (Side note: Pink isn’t my favorite color, but when it comes to my badassery I like things to be in pink or feminine looking because if I am going to be a beast I am going to look good doing it! Also when you start boys off on the pink bag, they immediately work harder to graduate up to the black bag…HA!) If you want to check out their gear, education programs, and training take a peak at their website [insert here]
5 reasons I love playing with sand (aka training with the Ultimate Sandbag)
5) I have all the bags I need right at home in my garage. No gym required, you can train anywhere. Fold up the shell and put in your suitcase, fill up with sand at the beach or the water (different filler bags) for right in your hotel room. Empty and re-pack!
4) Incrementally adjustable. I do not have to jump up by 5 or 10 pounds I can as much or as little sand I want to increase the load. I can also have several of the same size sandbag loaded up with different weights for variety.
3) The movement of the sand inside the shell makes every move a stability move. Challenging your stabilizers with an unstable load makes moves more effective for functional training. Being unstable means you get non stop core work! You become stronger and you learn to move better.
2) With a variety of sizes and weight Sandbag Training is for anyone. From beginners to elite athletes sandbag training will give you a ton of bang for your buck! Add a few sandbag moves to your normal routine, or do an entire sandbag program and you will start to feel the difference.
1) Because Muscle! With rotational moves, unilateral moves, unstable load, full body recruitment I build muscle and real world strength while training with my sandbags. I can train slow and steady, or quick with a huge metabolic burn. My work outs are efficient, effective, and fun! What more can a girl as for?!
