Friday, November 28, 2008

Get fit with sandbags

By Marcus Martinez

Workouts requiring the balance of seemingly uncontrollable weights can lead to massive results. In the same realm of kettlebell training, sandbag training can yield huge benefits in functional strength, fat loss, and conditioning because of the additional effort required to balance.

What would be more intense, trying to lift a perfectly balanced bar over your head, or a shifting mass of weight? Controlling and moving a sandbag works out your core and increases workout intensity because of unrelenting motion of the object you're trying to move.

The overhead press is one simple routine that can have huge benefits. It requires both full-body strength and a great grip to perform each rep. Ever tried to pick up a sandbag? Not too many ways to grip it, and it constantly wants to fold out of your grasp. This leads to a high-intensity workout.

If you don't have time for an hour of cardio and you still want to shed pounds of fat, a basic sandbag routine could do the job. You don't need much space, and the only piece of equipment you need is a bag, and sand. Not too complicated.

People who could benefit from a stronger grip, like combat-sport athletes, law enforcement, and military personnel can rapidly increase their strength through sandbag training. That alone is a reason to get started with a training routine, not to mention the increases in full-body strength.

You could create your own sandbag using a bag, duct tape, and sand, but it may be easier to just buy one created for fitness training. The Ultimate Sandbag created by Innovative Fitness solutions was created specifically for sandbag exercises and is about as tough as anything gets.

Using a sandbag, whether it be the Ultimate Sandbag or one you made yourself, allows you to train anywhere you want, including parks, the beach, or your backyard. It can also help you avoid too much repetition in your workout routine, preventing boredom and injuries from overtraining. With just 10 to 20 minutes of sandbag training, you could get all the cardio you need.

Having some options for your training routine is a great way to keep your workouts interesting. Doing the same thing all the time could lead to injuries and boredom. If you're interested in getting started, I recommend the Ultimate Sandbag, but if you want to get started today, just fill a plastic bag with stand and start throwing it around. - 15266

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