Sandbags

[Ueshirokarate]

Anyone using them as supplemental training for their art?

[Kodakmint]

I use them, as part of my workout regime.

[bushido_man96]

I use them, as part of my workout regime.

What do you use your sandbags for? Do you strike them, or have large ones you lift like weights?

[Evil Dave]

Sandbags are a great workout tool, you lift them, toss them, squat with them, run with them... Let your imagination go wild. Do a Google search on sandbag training and you will find plenty of good ideas. There are also plenty of resources out in Google land that will direct you in building a cheap durable sandbag. Basically an old truck tire inter-tube filled with sand.

If you have heavy bags in the Dojo they are not just for hitting. You can lift them, toss them, squat wit them, run with them, etc. Just another option.

[Ueshirokarate]

Sandbags are a great workout tool, you lift them, toss them, squat with them, run with them... Let your imagination go wild. Do a Google search on sandbag training and you will find plenty of good ideas. There are also plenty of resources out in Google land that will direct you in building a cheap durable sandbag. Basically an old truck tire inter-tube filled with sand.

If you have heavy bags in the Dojo they are not just for hitting. You can lift them, toss them, squat wit them, run with them, etc. Just another option.

Yes, they have tremendous flexibility and that is why I asked. That said, they are better than heavy bags for this kind of stuff.

[Evil Dave]

They are both good conditioning tools, but like anything they have their strengths and limitations.

Heavy bags are much more rigid and you have to practice to get your balance with them. Also, they are generally heavier and bulky, so not adaptable to all fitness levels. There are also conditioning exercises you can do with the heavy bag still hanging {swing the bag and do a burpee, windshield wippers, etc}.

Sandbags will just flop over your shoulders. You can also work your grip strength with a sandbag. They are much cheaper then a Heavy Bag, and some locations may not like you tossing and slamming their heavy bags around. If a sandbag breaks you sweep up the sand and put it into your next sandbag.

For exercise ideas do a Youtube search. Start with some exercises you already know and look at both heavy bag and sandbag variations. For example, squats, thrusters, situps, Turkish getup's, etc. Then start to venture out to some knew stuff. If you are working with a group and not just yourself both of these items lend themselves to partner and team workouts for added fun.

I have both, 60 and 2*90 lbs heavy bag, plus 2*45 and 2*20 lbs sandbags in my workout toolbox.

[yamesu]

I quite like them, but recently have discovered the same tool - but filled with water (who would have thought!).

The water-style-bags are great, and i suppliment my more rigid training with them as they require engaging stabilising short fibre muscles to keep balance, particularly for exersizes like squats and lunges.

In fact - if you can get your hands on some try this - hold two 10L (or similar) at shoulder height, and go through the footwork of kata. I was quite surprosed at how much this affected me having to recompensate for balance (and it has made my kata more solid!)

[FangPwnsAll7]

I use sandbags them for a part of my training. I find them useful to build up power and to make you stronger.

[Kevin Wilson]

Never though of this awesome !