Sandbag for core strength? Other proponents out there?

I have no opinion on sandbag workouts, having never heard of them, but why would you pay $100 for a sandbag?!? Sand is $3-5 for 50# at a local hardware store.

Eastern North Dakota has 400,000 filled and ready to go in about 3 weeks. You could come here and hoist them all day if you wanted!! That is in addition to the 1.2 million bags stored in reserve. If the snow melt keeps going gradual, they may only need 500,000. Just a thought Take care!

I don't use mine as much as I should, but I'm a fan. I'd say they're similar to kettlebells, with a little added stability work due to the sand shifting. In general you do compound movements with them. Less injury? I'd say they're about equal, anything heavy can be picked up wrong.

As far as the cost, your paying for the bag, a 50# bag of sand from the hardware store is usually packed tighter than you really want it, and wont last long before ripping. I did the DIY rout with a cheap gym bag and it didn't last long either. Then I saw they were throwing out some lage tool bags at work and grabbed one, perfect size and heavy weight canvas! Look around, you might be able to make your own for cheaper. The down side is that the handles may not be where you'd like them.

I have a sandbag and used it a good bit for a while. My favorite core exercise with it was to do a straight arm plank and pull the bag under me from side to side.. Having said that, I don’t use it much any more. I find that core work hanging from a pull up bar or dip station works well enough. Or easier than that, leg raises, flutter kicks, Russian twists, etc on a flat bench are a good bang for your buck too.

I bought my sandbag cheap on amazon for like $15. An old duffle bag would work well if you have some other plastic bags duct taped up with sand in them. Get creative and save some money.