Training Weight Bags

[COlineman78]

Midgets work best, plus you get the added cardio and strength training of wrestling them into a burlap sack. Word of warning though, don't compress them to tight as dead midgets don't keep long and new ones may be difficult to come by.

lol... reminded me of a time in high school where we ran out of weights for the leg press at about 1300lbs and I had the 150lb wrestler sit on it. This was after my shoulder surgery when all I could do was leg press for several months. BTW, don't try this on the Hammer Strength type leg presses, they don't have enough lateral strength to keep the load from wobbling; the owner of my power lifting gym had custom built his own using industrial parts.

As far as everyone else that was recommending sand, I was worried about leakage and the difficulties of containing it. I figured that it would inevitably leak over time. My dad had suggested dog food, but the volume for the weight seemed pretty high. Kitty litter and ice melt were also both suggested and are very good weight to volume and I considered them both but went with the wood pellets for the cost ($4 vs $10-15).

 

[lonedave]

Wood pellets for me too....But I started with about a pallet and a half this year for my pellet stove, so $0.00 cost!!

 

[boom]

I use sandbags that were made to
Weigh down construction signs. Super compact and dense. You can't tear them.

 

[Matt W.]

Totally get the idea of cheap bags if all you are doing is hauling them in your pack. However, if you want to use them as a workout tool I find the cheap options not so appealing..

I have had these bags for over a year now and they work great. I am not a fan of the gym; and being able to put these in a pack, throw them around the garage, and do some work outs; is why they are worth the $$ to me. Super tough, load bladders do not leak, and the handles make throwing around lifting very functional.
http://bruteforcetraining.com/products/conditioning-combo-kit

I just started the app so I can't comment on it yet, but using sandbags has been a heck of a lot cheaper than the CrossFit gym.
http://bruteforcetraining.com/pages/theapp

 

[Drifli]

I train with the gear I hunt with, this provides you with a great idea of where your equipment fits best and also allows you the ability to add weight on top of your normal pack weight by adding small sand bags, plate weights, or my favorite (water). I like water because I can easily lighten my load if my back or other body parts start giving me issues.

 

[Dave5280]

I make 1000D Cordura weight bags in three different sizes for sand bags with a double Velcro closure to prevent any leakes then a big bag you throw it all in. Kifaru uses them in their show room and I gave a couple to Aron Snyder to train with.

 

[Silvaticus]

I use quikcrete its available in numerous forms ie. mortar, concrete, gravel and for $4-$8 and weight ranges of 40-80 lb it cant be beat. Also if you pick up a sale or coupon you can get em even cheaper. I then put one bag in a contractor grade trash bag and duct tape it. Not solid just enough. Then I put them each in an old pillow case and lightly duct tape that.
Whitecap or Grainger have some good sand bags you can get for .50 to $1 each Then go dig your own weight.
But I think I may get some of those Cordura bags with velcro built i just happen to have some laying around too.

 

[arctic]

I use a 20L Sealine dry bag full of sand. Worked out to be about 60#. There is room to get another `5# in there.
It is a good cylinder shape that packs to similar dimension to a quarter.

 

[Jeff Martin]

sand bags in a pillow case

 

[sodaksooner]

50 lb bag of tile mortar left over from a project. In a sealed plastic bag. Throw it in one of my dry bags just to be safe. Will throw in dumbells to bump the weight up. My knees get sore so I don't go much heavier. OH and a full 3l camelbak

 

[jm1607]

I just started doing some pack weight training and was looking to figure out a good cheap way to make a weight bag. I sifted through some ideas and settled on what I think is the best cheapest solution and thought I'd share it.

What you'll need:
1) 40lb Wood Fuel Pellets - $4 - http://www.homedepot.com/p/40-lb-Wood-Pellets-N-A/206392962
2) Military Style Laundry Bag - $8-15 - https://www.rothco.com/product/rothco-gi-type-canvas-barracks-bag
3) 3x 11" Zip Ties - $2 - http://www.harborfreight.com/11-in-black-cable-ties-100-pk-60277.html
4) Duct Tape or 6x 24" Zip Ties - $2 - http://www.harborfreight.com/24-in-heavy-duty-cable-ties-10-pk-62720.html

What to do:
1) Empty the Pellets into the laundry bag

2) Place 3 zip ties approx 6" down from the top. Once as tight as possible I cut them tight and I filed them down to remove any sharp edges.

3) Turn sideways and distribute the weight as much as possible vertically and fold over the excess fabric. Here you have 2 choices: Duct Tape or very large zip ties.Both work fairly well. If you use zip ties repeat the steps above and smooth the rough edges with a file.

Here it is in my Exo 3500:

Did you use the medium or large canvas bags?

 

[gmulford]

I use bags of charcoal, got plenty lying around for the smoker...

 

[COlineman78]

Did you use the medium or large canvas bags?

I just found the tag, this is the one I got at the local surplus store for $10:
https://www.foxoutdoor.com/ItemDetails2015.aspx?cid=4&ccid=35&cscid=311&win=40-11

I'd look for anything similar size. You could go narrower but not shorter.

 

[Steeliedrew]

I have about 50lbs of sand in a contractor bag that stuck inside of a 13 liter sea2summit roll top dry bag. nice and compact for its actual weight.