The Best Workout Sandbags For Training

Sandbags are a very modern way to exercise.

Many people may think that a gym is all they need, but sandbag training equipment can offer so much more when it comes to exercise and they’re GREAT for CrossFit!

Workout sandbags can offer you access to a whole different world of training.  This is because they do not have a consistent shape or form as their weight is constantly shifting around within the bag.

This means that your less commonly used muscles are activated to keep the sandbag stable.  Many people get hooked on this style of exercise and it is a great alternative to using machines at the gym.

While many of these pieces of equipment do look similar to each other, they are actually very different, for different purposes and many also have different weight limits.

Some of the more expensive weightlifting sandbags have been manufactured from tougher materials, thus making them more durable for carrying massive weights.

They also have the ability to be very versatile. For example, one idea is to try to keep the sand focused on one side of the sandbag to make your workout more challenging and work your core.

We have set out to find the best sandbags for training, exercise, and CrossFit. With that being said, let’s look at the top training sandbags for 2022:

Note: We DO NOT recommend Brute Force due to a significant drop in quality and shady business practices!

	Rating	Sandbag		Advantages
#1		Rogue Fitness Sandbag	Click For Rogue Sandbag Price	Used in the CrossFit Games
#2		Garage Fit Heavy Duty Workout Sandbag	Click For Garage Fit Sandbag Price	Waterproof
#3		SKLZ Super Sandbag	Click For SKLZ Sandbag Price	Solid handles
#4		Ultimate Sandbag Package	Click For Ultimate Sandbag Package Price	Durable
#5		Ultimate Body Press Exercise Sandbag	Click For Ultimate Body Sandbag Price	Affordable
#6		Brute Force Sandbag	Click For Brute Force Sandbag Price	Poor quality

Our Top 6 Exercise Sandbags

#1 – Rogue Fitness Sandbag – Best Overall

The Rogue sandbags are probably the best sandbags you can get!

If you’re a CrossFit enthusiast, there’s a good chance you’ve already used Rogue Fitness gear.

These exact same bags were used at the Reebok CrossFit Games because Rogue is a key part of CrossFit industry. Rogue sandbags are American made and popular across a wide variety of sports, including martial arts and Strongman competitors.

The Rogue Sandbag is manufactured from a water-resistant 1000D MIL-Spec Cordura nylon along with double stitched seams that are reinforced. They feature 7 external handles which are again reinforced and designed to withstand the heaviest of abuse.

See our Rogue Sandbag review.

When it comes to filler bags, they are a little different and supports 2 types of filler bag:

• Traditional filler bag – Multiple bags filled with sand similar to what is used by other manufacturers. Ideal if the weight needs to be changed often.
• Funnel filler bag – A large single bag that takes up the entirety of the bag making it a more cost-effective solution. This is stabilized within the bag with interior velcro.

The bag also features a heavy-duty zipper along with an additional velcro secured flap to ensure no sand ever leaks.

Maximum Weight Capacity: 220lbs (varying sizes available)
Unique Features:

• Military specification material
• Traditional or Funnel filler options
• Water-resistant
• Additional flap preventing leakage

Click For Rogue Fitness Sandbag Price

#2 – Garage Fit Heavy Duty Workout Sandbags – Waterproof

The Heavy Duty workout bag from Garage Fit has been designed to make sandbag exercise easy in indoor and outdoor conditions or situations. The training sandbag has been constructed from durable nylon material, and the nylon stitching has also been doubled up. These double-stitched nylon areas will make extra sure that it doesn’t tear or sand does not leak through and it also adds to the overall durability of the bag.

With seven soft-grip handles, it will be possible to do multiple different weight lifting sandbag training exercises and CrossFit exercises with ease. These handles are also padded to ensure that no chafing occurs and that you have a comfortable full body workout experience. The workout sandbag comes in a variety of different sizes from 30lbs all the way up to a maximum weight limit of 120lbs pounds. But even the smallest bag should be efficient for home use and the average person.

Furthermore, the bag is also waterproof, and while this might not be impressive to all, it’s nice to know that this can be used in the rain outdoors. The bag will also not tear or rip, and the warranty will keep you covered, we do not recommend adding more than the specified weight limit to the bag.

We highly recommend this bag for average fitness enthusiasts and also the more extreme fitness enthusiast to try and improve your fitness levels at an affordable price. The well-positioned handles on the kit allow you to do multiple different exercises and so can be used to improve your entire body.

See our Garage Fit Sandbag review.

Maximum Weight Capacity: 120lbs (different versions support different weights)
Special Features:

• Waterproof nylon outer shell
• Made from flack jacket material
• Double sealed liners to keep sand secure from leaking
• Seven soft, but still durable exterior handles
• Multiple colors, including camouflage
• Machine washable

Click For Garage Fit Sandbag Price

#3 – SKLZ Super Exercise Sandbag – Best Handles

Straight away you can see that the SKLZ is a bright and attractive looking bag. The SKLZ Super Sandbag has been designed to allow fitness enthusiasts to use the bag in many different ways due to the way that the handles are easy to grasp and good for grappling.

The bag includes 4 inner sandbags which 10lbs of sand can be packed into each. Fitting these into the durable outer shell is a little tight but it just about allows you to fit them all in for a total of 40lbs of weight.

The kit has been designed to resist the movement of 40 pounds of sand in all directions, and this should be enough for many fitness and CrossFit enthusiasts. This workout sand bag might not be heavy enough for bodybuilding, but a bodybuilder might still use it for toning or a cardio routine. Its sleek profile also makes it good for runners.

Furthermore, the bag features six soft-grip handles which should make it easier on your hands when it comes to training and good for aerobic exercise. These handles will ensure that your hands do not sustain any injury and that you are comfortable maneuvering the bag.

We highly recommend this bag for fitness or CrossFit enthusiasts looking to up their game and also sports athletes trying to improve their explosiveness. The durability will allow for a lot of multi-functional utilization in various scenarios and positions without having to fear any tearing.

Read our full SKLZ Sandbag review.

Maximum Weight Capacity: 40lbs
Special Features:

• Designed for exercise requiring a lot of movement
• Durable outer shell with multiple softer handgrips made for conditioning and sports

Click For SKLZ Sandbag Price

#4 – Ultimate Sandbag Training Package – Best For CrossFit

The Ultimate Sandbag Package should be one of the best packages for beginners to start off with. This trainer sandbag system features a huge weight limit of 80lbs which should be great for improving core strength and also overall fitness and explosive power.

The added exercise DVD should be perfect for people looking to start off with sandbag based drills, and you can learn each exercise with ease.

This will allow you to perform over 400 different exercises and with its soft grip but robustly built handles, possible hand scraping issues or grip problems are kept to a minimum.  From its appearance, this would not look out of place in an MMA or boxing gym.

The durable outer shell and the leak-resistant designs easily keep the sand within it. This is another very durable bag that can be dropped over and over with no signs of any meaningful damage to the bag.  You should also notice that once all of the filler material has been added, there will be less space inside for the play sand to move around, but you will still be training hard.

This is definitely recommended for fitness freaks, and it will also be perfect for beginners to start off with. You can greatly improve your performance with this Ultimate package for a long time.

Maximum Weight Capacity: 80lbs
Special Features:

• 7 soft grip handles for performing multiple exercises
• Durable outer shell
• Great for upper body strength training
• Leak-resistant design
• Sandbag workout DVD  included

Click For Ultimate Sandbag Package Price

#6 – Ultimate Body Press Exercise Sandbag – Cheap Option

The Ultimate Body Press Sandbag is one of the most versatile cheap training bags on our list and it also offers great value for money. It is available in multiple different sizes, some of which have an option to use water instead of sand. This makes this a more portable bag as it can be simply filled from any tap.

It also shows how much the manufacturer trusts in the quality of their product. The bag features 7 durable handles and provides a nice change to the free weights at the gym and the handles being quite close together make this a good contender for ab workouts.

Furthermore, it features a durable outer shell made from a ballistic resistant canvas. The entire bag is leak-proof and supports a weight of up to 100lbs. The sand filler bags use a double Velcro mechanism to prevent leaks meaning that your sand will not leak out and the water fillers use a cap.  Just be sure to not lose the cap or this will leave them useless.

We recommend this for a wide range of uses and it’s the portability factor that really makes it stand out on our list. The whole family will be able to use one or two of these bags for their sandbag exercise routine. It’s probably not the best-looking bag on our list but don’t let that put you off.  This bag is made for giving you great value for your money.

Maximum Weight Capacity: 100lbs
Special Features:

• Has the option to be water-filled rather than sand
• Available in multiple sizes
• Strong 1050D canvas material
• Ideal for people of all sizes
• Allows various fitness and strength exercises

Click For Ultimate Body Sandbag Package Price

#7 – Brute Force Training Sandbag

The sheer amount of weight that this is claimed can carry (400lbs when fully weighted) may sound like it is reasonable for strength training and making serious progress in your workouts.  Previously, the toughness of the bag was also second to none and fitness enthusiasts loved the flexibility that it offered.

But unfortunately, recent results of our testing of this company’s equipment has been very unsatisfactory…

They are available in a wide range of colors and options and the soft grip handles are a great addition to help to protect your hands from any abrasions. The added reinforcement in the bag allows you to add as much weight as possible.

It is designed so that when dropped, the bag will have no chance of tearing. It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty for peace of mind that the bag is up to standard. It is worth noting that (unlike many other bags) this is not waterproof.

The bags are available in a wide range of colors:

Furthermore, it includes multiple filler bags, and these weighted bags can be used to increase or decrease the mass, thus also making it great for multi-functional weight training and CrossFit routines.

Due to the size of the bag, the weight can be moved around easily which is useful to activate some of those muscles which are otherwise rarely used to improve your physique.

 

We highly recommend this training bag for people looking for something that they can progress with. The multi-functionality is impeccable, and for most this will offer you extreme workouts for many years to come.

Read our full Brute Force sandbag review.

Maximum Weight Capacity: 400lbs
Unique Features:

• Available in a kit of different sizes and weight
• Soft grip handles to make exercise easier
• Added reinforcements within the shell
• Non-deteriorating materials
• Limited lifetime warranty

Click For Brute Force Sandbag Price

The Many Benefits Of Using Fitness Sandbags

There are a whole bunch of benefits of sandbag training and sandbag drills. Here are just a few advantages of this training tool:

Injury Prevention

Sandbags work the muscles differently when compared to traditional weights and barbells. They are sometimes considered functional training and it’s quite common for lifters to be able to physically move less weight with athletic sandbags than they can with a barbell.

By utilizing more muscle fibers across the body, they also strengthen the body, improve physique and reduce the chance of an injury.

Dynamic Stability

This is the ability to stay balanced and in one place while moving. Weighted bags for training are a great tool to improve this due to them not being stable, so they work against your balance. Anyone who carries unstable loads around regularly will improve their dynamic stability due to the additional use of stabilizer muscles required.

For example, performing power cleans will require a much wider range of stabilizer muscle utilization when compared to a barbell. Improved grip strength is another benefit of sandbag workouts.

Think of construction workers, farmers, or those in the military. A gym sandbag is a great piece of equipment to improve this type of functional fitness and circuit training.

Cheap and Portable

Sandbags are relatively cheap when compared to other fitness equipment on the market, especially when considering their versatility. You can perform squats without the need for a squat rack and you can do an overhead press without a lot of free weights.

They also have the advantage of being extremely portable. Fitness sandbags can be taken when traveling if you find yourself without access to a gym. Imagine being able to take the equivalent of atlas stones with you in your suitcase. This is possible with a sandbag.

Top Features To Look For In Workout Sandbags

This type of workout is quite popular in the armed forces where a military-grade bag is used.  While some people might think that any type of bag, backpack, or homemade bag can be used to perform this exercise, it is unfortunately not the case. Proper gym sandbags for strength training have been specifically designed for heavier weights and with the ability to fall (or be thrown) to the ground without damage.

A regular or military duffle bag can be a DIY option to make a good cheap exercise sandbag. But it will be far less effective and won’t take much to rip or tear. There are many things that you need to know before buying a training sandbag for working out.  Here are a few things you need to look for:

Weight Limit

Depending on your strength capabilities, the weight will be imperative, and you will need to have a robust bag. As you start getting stronger, a bigger and heavier bag will allow you to progress further.  Also, if you plan on doing a lot of leg work, such as squats, then a heavier bag is suggested. Getting sturdy good quality shoes for squats is also recommended.

Filler Bags

Most of the advanced bags come with filler bags providing you with weight options to increase or decrease the mass.

You can use different types of filling material such as pea gravel, rubber mulch, wood pellets or rice.

The amount of filler bags will directly indicate the weight limit as well, but you will be able to play with the weight much more when adding or taking away these filler bags.

Durability

Since you will be using these for training, they will need to be durable. When we get tired in the gym, it is easy to lose grip on the weights, and they will naturally fall to the ground. If this happens with a training sandbag and if it is not durable, it may rip or tear, and since many are expensive, it could be hard to replace.

If you have a home gym then it might be OK to get a less durable bag. But for commercial users, you need a very sturdy one. A quality sandbag manufacturer will also offer some sort of guarantee with their product.

Training Conditions

Weight bags will allow you to perform different sandbag exercises. The weight limit will certainly be a little different when you choose the type of sandbags for strength training or for CrossFit.

Fitness bags will allow you to perform more actions with them and have different gripping elements, while strength bags are made especially for power.

Price

When you take all of these features into account, you should remember to look at the cost. Yes, we do not recommend DIY exercise sandbags, but sometimes if the quality of the one that you are considering is not on par, you might need to look at the price and make that decision of whether it is worth it.

By understanding these five elements, you should be able to make a much better choice regarding your bag and you will also be able to make sure that it is worth its value. The bags we have chosen will certainly be worth it and they should last you a long time.

 

FAQ

What Size Sandbag Should I Get?

For females and smaller males, we recommend a small to medium-sized bag. For larger males, we recommend a large to XL sized bag. You should also get a bag that can take more than the maximum weight that you can lift to allow for future progress. So if you squat 100kg, you need to get a bag that can support at least this weight.

Final Thoughts – Which Training Sandbag Is Best?

We would like to thank you for reading this article, and we hope that you have a better understanding of sandbags for training. All of these bags are highly recommended for their specific purposes, and we believe they will offer you what you need to progress towards your own fitness goals.
We would like to encourage you to let us know what you think of these bags and if you agree with us that they are the top 6 sandbags of 2022.