A Guide to Sandbag Technique

Check-out the MovementLink Ruck and Sandbag Workout Program

Sandbag Cleans

Sandbag Jerks

Sandbag Clean and Jerks


Sandbag Back Squats

Sandbag Front Squats

Sandbag Bear Hug Squats

 

Sandbag Deadlifts

Sandbag Stiff-Legged Deadlifts

Sandbag One-Arm Deadlifts

 

Sandbag Push Presses

Sandbag Thrusters

Sandbag Sumo-Deadlift High-Pull

 

Sandbag Get-ups

Sandbag Ground-to-Shoulders

Sandbag Ground-to-Alternating-Shoulder Squat Cleans

 

Sandbag Bear Hug Carry

Sandbag Side Bends


Sandbag Recommendations

Suggested Weights for RASCAL workouts: Male/Female

  • Elite (120lb/ 80lb)

  • Advanced (80lb/60lb)

  • Intermediate (60lb/40lb)

  • Novice (40lb/20lb)

 
 

The cool thing about the GoRuck Sandbags is they, like the GORUCK Rucks, come with a lifetime warrantee. Also, because sandbags come with filler bags, they are adjustable so you can: 1) increase weight as you get fitter, 2) purchase extra filler bags to have more weight options, or 3) travel with empty filler bags and fill them at your destination with sand that is around.

After trying out both sand and pea gravel there are some pros and cons. Sand feels great, but if you get them wet like I do sometimes, they take a while to dry out. I’ve also heard that sand creates more dust coming from the bag than pea gravel, but have not yet experienced that. Here’s what I recommend:

I have a bunch of sandbags for classes I run, so have the luxury of choosing the exact bag that fits. I have also been training for years so have a very good idea of what size works best for me. I personally use the 80lb bag with 80lbs of pea gravel in it. I’ll play around with the 120, but most of my workouts are great with the 80 and if I want to make it more challenging, I throw my 30lb ruck on my back, but I am no where near elite level or a large person.

If you are unsure, then size up. I have 80lb-Capacity GORUCK Sandbags with 60lbs in them and they are great. I used pea gravel and red rubber mulch as filler. I also have 60lb-Capacity bags with 40lbs in them and they are great. Both of those options would still be good at slightly lower weights and would allow you to grow into the full bag over time.

What filler should you buy? ANY! Sand, pea gravel, and red rubber mulch as extra less-dense filler, are all about $5 per bag. Sand and pea gravel bags are about 50lbs, so filling you can likely afford to get it wrong and re-do your filler at some point. My bags get wet, sometimes submersed, so I used pea gravel. The sand feels great though, so your call.

 

More Coming Soon!