Shape up for summer by ditching dumbbells for a super sandbag

Summer fitness

MANY MEN TREAT WEIGHTLIFTING LIKE A RELIGION. Pump Iron, have faith, and you will sculpt a six-pack. Amen. But there's a faster way to reach beach-body heaven: Sling sand. "A sandbag's shape shifts, forcing more muscles to work together to maintain balance," says Josh Henkin, C.S.C.S., inventor of the Ultimate Sandbag Training System. Order yours at ultimatesandbagtraining.com, or check out "D.I.Y. Muscle" to make your own.

DO THIS
Perform the exercises as a circuit, doing as many reps of each as you can in 30 seconds before moving on to the next one (use a 30-to 70-pound bag). Rest 30 seconds between moves. Do the circuit 3 times.

1. Side Lunge and Snatch

Hold a sandbag in front of your thighs. Lunge to your left, touching the sandbag to the floor. Quickly stand up, flipping the bag onto your forearms as you press it overhead. Return to standing and then lunge to your right. Continue alternating sides. "Keep your weight over your heel," says Henkin. "That will force your hamstring and glute to activate, so you'll lift from your hips instead of your back."

2. Pushup with Sandbag Drag

Place a sandbag on the floor and assume a pushup position so the bag is to your right. Grab the bag with your left hand and drag it underneath your chest to your left side. Do a pushup. Now drag the bag back to your right side with your right hand. Do another pushup. Continue alternating sides. "Brace your core to avoid rotating your body as you drag the bag," says Henkin.

3. Rotational Reverse Lunge and Balance

Hold a sandbag in front of your thighs. Step back with your right foot and swing the bag to the outside of your left thigh. Stand up, raising your right knee as you flip the bag over your forearms to catch it at chest level. Pause and return to the starting position. Repeat, switching legs halfway through the set. "To increase difficulty, go into your next lunge without pausing," says Henkin.

4. Single-Leg Row

Holding a sandbag at arm's length, raise your right leg behind you as you lower your torso until it's nearly parallel to the floor. Pull the bag to your chest, pause, and then slowly lower it. Switch legs after 15 seconds. "It's harder to hold on to a sandbag than a dumbbell or a barbell," says Henkin, "so you'll work the muscles in your forearms in addition to those in your back."