I DON'T KNOW HOW TO TRAIN: Sandbag

 

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO TRAIN: Sandbag

I will write a series of articles/blogs on strength training at little or no cost. Then, if you're familiar with my page, you know that I advocate Free Grace Theology, so I will connect this physical training to spiritual training. I am mentioning this right in the beginning so none will claim that I am deceiving you to become a Christian by luring you with strength training. I am honest right at the start. 

Before you train, you need to know what you're training for. If you wanted to be bulky bodybuilder, scroll on, this isn't for you. If you're into powerlifting, scroll on, this isn't for you. If you're a Strongman, this isn't for you either. This is for the average Juan who wanted to be stronger version of himself. 

I always loved lifting weights. I used to lift as heavy as I can in the three powerlifts: bench press, deadlift and squats. I also did some calisthenics. But right now, my priority is not to be the strong but stiff muscle-bound man. My priority is to be the strongest version of myself that can run, rotate, climb, and move at different planes. So if you're chasing numbers in DBS, this isn't for you. 

So to the task at hand- how to train. The best training program is one that you can do at your own pace regularly. Consistency is the key. If you don't have weights or gym equipment, don't worry. I am sure you can find something to move through space. If there's nothing, you can always move your own body. 

One way to train is through sandbags. I used sacks filled with sand. I have them at 5kg, 10kg, 20kg, 25kg, 30kg, 35kg and 40kg. The downside is you get dirty when you did sandbag training. When it rains, the sand gets wet (so they're technically heavier than their declared weight) and leave mud all over your body. If you find this icky, you can always buy fancy canvas sandbags from Shoppee or Lazada and used pebbles instead; they're less likely to leave trails of mud. 

The advantage of sandbag over barbell is the weight "shifts." It trains the smaller muscles of arms and shoulders which activate when the sand shifts position. It develops tremendous grip strength. Expect to lift less than what you can with barbell. 

You can deadlift, row, clean, press, jerk, push, pull, squat, lunge, jump, walk, curl, snatch and even throw them. You can do weighted carries and walks. You can lift them with two hands, one hand, with your head, with your shoulder, bear hug them or farmer's carry them. You can attach them to a pulley. You can twist or bend in different directions. You can lift slowly for hypertrophy or lift explosively for power. You can do the exercises one by one or as part of a complex. And if you ever gets frustrated, you can always punch, ground and pound or kick the sandbags. 

Sandbag training is very practical and functional. In real life, unless you work on a construction, you seldom lift objects that are shaped like barbells. But you lift sacks of rice, feeds, fertilizers, groceries and trash. The strength you develop in sandbag training translates directly to real world application. If you're an athlete, it develops functional strength. I can imagine how sandbag training can help a wushu player develop strength to lift and throw someone. And of course sandbags have always been part of the punching and kicking arts. 

I train them once a week. I mix them with regular barbell training, Kettlebells and dumbbells and old fashion calisthenics. 

All of this helps develop a strong, mobile, and flexible body. But good as they are, they have limitations. No matter how strong your body is, you will die and question is what happens now? If you die now, are you sure you're going to spend eternity with God or in the Lake of Fire. As Paul says, 

1 Timothy 4:8

[8]for bodily discipline (EXERCISES) is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Exercises profit the body. But compared to hodliy, it is little profit. It only profits you in this life and then you die. But godliness has a profit both in this life and the life to come. 

You see we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rm 3:23) and as a result (we'll all die (Rm 6:23) and if we die in unbelief, that death will continue in the second death (Rev 20:11-15). 

But God demonstrate His love to the world in this way- He send Jesus to die at the Cross for the payment and propitiation of the sins of everyone, Jn 3:16; Rm 5:8; 1 Jn 2:2. He was buried and He rose again, showing that His work of redemption is acceptable to the Father. Therefore no man will be separated forever from God by sin. It is not a sin question but a Son question. 

The only condition to escape the threat of the Lake of Fire, the only condition to have everlasting life and to enjoy eternity with God forever is to believe in Jesus Christ. Not join a religion, pay an indulgence, work for salvation till death, be faithful and sinless throughout your life or give money to the church and the poor. They are all commendable in their proper setting, but not for earning everlasting life. The only condition is to believe in Jesus and you will have everlasting life that will never be lost at no cost to you. 

John 3:16

[16]"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

Are you sure of eternal life? Do you want eternal life? Then believe in Him right now. Jesus is faithful and He promised that if you believe now, right now you have everlasting life. He did not say you will have it sometime in the future or that you receive a temporary life. He said you have (present possession) eternal (th very life of God which by definition will remain foreves and won't be lost) life. 

Have you believed? It makes no sense to train the body only to lose it first to death, then to the Lake of Fire. 

John 11:25-26

[25]Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,

[26]and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?"

DO YOU? 

#Fit2025

#TeamNieto 

#freegracefamily 

Juan 3:16 Sapagka't gayon na lamang ang pagsinta ng Dios sa sanglibutan, na ibinigay niya ang kaniyang bugtong na Anak, upang ang sinomang sa kaniya'y sumampalataya ay huwag mapahamak, kundi magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan.

(Kung gusto ninyo ng karagdagang impormasyon, bisitahin ninyo kami. May pagtitipon kami sa Dahat, kada Linggo, kada 1:00-3:00 pm. Sana manampalataya kayo at kita-kita tayo.

Isang mahalagang paalala: ang mga blogs na ito ay personal kong opinyon at eksposisyon; hindi ito opisyal na pananaw ng Partido Christian Bible Church. Kung nais ninyong malaman ang kanilang opisyal na posisyun, magtanong kayo sa mga matanda ng simbahan. Ang Nieto Bible Page ay isang hiwalay na ministri mula sa PCBC at independiyente rito. Nakikipagtipon ako sa PCBC, pero may personal akong kumbiksiyon sa mga bagay. Dahil hindi ako miyembro ng teaching and ruling leadership ng PCBC, anumang mabasa ninyo rito ay hiwalay sa kanila. Anumang nasusulat ay aking pananagutan. 

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