THE FUNDAMENTALS
Think Total Body
Don’t think of sandbags as a substitute for dumbbells and barbells.
“They play by a totally different set of rules,” says Josh Henkin, creator of the Ultimate Sandbag Training System.
To maximise your gains, skip isolation exercises. Instead, perform total-body moves like the three shown below in “3 Moves, 650 Muscles”.
Focus on Form
“As the sand moves around inside the bag, your stabilising muscles have to work overtime to keep you balanced,” says Henkin.
So maintaining impeccable form is critical for avoiding injury. “Brace your core to minimise the stress on your spine, maximise muscle recruitment, and boost power and performance,” Henkin advises.
Don’t Overfill The Bag
The sandbag’s effectiveness comes more from its instability than its weight.
“When you’re ready to progress, alter the way you perform the exercise instead of adding sand,” says Henkin.
“Using a different grip or loading one side of your body at a time is enough to change the training stimulus and make it harder.”
3 Moves, 650 Muscles
1/ Bear-Hug Squat
Grab a sandbag and hug it to your chest with your feet slightly beyond shoulder width.
Push your hips back and lower your body until your thighs are at least parallel to the floor.
2/ Around the World
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a sandbag in front of you.
Pivot left, and lift the bag in a circle behind your head. Repeat to your right. Continue alternating.
3/ Bag Drag
Place a small bag on the floor and assume a push-up position with the bag on your left.
Grab the bag with your right hand and drag it underneath you.
Repeat with your left hand. Alternate.
