You’re going to hate these bags… in a good way! They are brutal. After a few minutes, you’ll be feeling the pain! The newly released Colossus Sandbags are a great way to humble yourself if you are not used to this sort of training or an alternative to using real stones for someone who trains specifically for strongman events. There is no doubt that these would make a great addition to just about any home gym. The Colossus Sandbags from Get RX’d are easy to put together, durable, versatile, affordable, and will add another dimension to your workouts.
The Setup
Only the bag is shipped. The sand is not included. This is a relief for whoever is delivering the package but an extra step for you. Luckily, the sand is less than $4 for 50 pounds, which you can get from a store like Lowe’s or Home Depot, and it’s relatively easy to pour in. There is a built-in “filler bag” where you can funnel in the sand with ease. Just make sure to take your time and add in 20 pounds or so at a time. It can be easily brushed off the fabric if some goes astray.
Heavy Duty Construction
There are numerous factors that almost guarantee the sand is going to stay inside the bag during high-intensity workouts. First, the 1000D Cordura fabric that the bag is made out of is extremely resilient. While only time will truly tell, this thick material appears that it’s made to take a beating. The built-in filler bag also adds another layer of security to the zipper and velcro enclosure at the top. After tossing it to the floor a few times, you’ll realize how sturdy it is and feel safe that the sand isn’t going to escape the bag.
Sizing
The sandbags are available in 6 different sizes (100, 150, 200, 250, 300, and 400 pounds). Even if they are not filled completely, the sand stays compact and can be used without any issues, but you are still going to want to fill it up to at least 60% or there will be a bit too much free space. The sandbags are much more difficult to pick up than a barbell, so don’t pick a size based on your deadlift max. If you’re a novice, don’t be afraid to start at the lowest possible weight and go from there. The 100-pound sandbag will have the ability to put anyone to the test with certain workouts.
Using the Sandbag
While it’s still a heavy bag of sand, the material makes it easy to grasp and hold onto. The “hour-glass like” shape design allows for you to shift your grip easily and maintain a stronghold as you lift and carry it. There are multiple grip options because of how it’s shaped. Plus, it’s going to be resistant to sweat on the warmer training days.
High-intensity workouts are its specialty. Take it for a romantic walk, pick it up and drop it, squat it, toss it, clean it, do lunges, etc. These aren’t fancy workouts but will get the heart rate moving, especially if you aren’t used to picking up bags of sand. Different muscles are utilized compared to barbells or dumbbells, so it can just be a great change of pace as well. In general, the sandbags can improve your strength, conditioning, and core.
They are versatile. The sandbag can be used as the only piece of equipment used in a workout, part of a circuit, or for a warm up to get the heart pumping. Your training will benefit from a sandbag whether you are a CrossFitter, Powerlifter, actually training Strongman, runner, or just trying to get in shape. Plus, these bags sit upright and can be taken anywhere. All of this is possible and you can be confident that not one grain of sand is going to fall out.
Price
A 100-pound bag from Get RX’d costs $55, while the 400-pound capacity bag is $115. The most similar option on the market seems to be the Rogue Strongman Sandbags. Their 100-pound option costs $85 and the 400-pound capacity bag from Rogue is $155. This is a pretty substantial price difference. A quality 100-pound slamball is going to cost well over $100. Get RX’d slam ball actually cost $185. Therefore, the Colossus Sandbags are a great value when comparing to some other options out there.
Conclusion
The Colossus Sandbags are a great tool to add to just about anyone’s home gym. The sandbags aren’t going to take up a ton of space and require little maintenance but will add a great amount of versatility to your home gym. They can be used as a change of pace but for many will probably be a “routine regular” in no time after seeing the value in sandbag training. They are also extremely affordable. The Colossus Sandbags may be the best-priced option on the market right now and are built to last a very long time. For anyone who likes to push themselves to the limit, this is a tool that should be in your arsenal.