Challenging Ultimate Sandbag Leg Complex

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Last weekend, I was fortunate to attend the DVRT (Dynamic Variable Resistance Training) Level 1 and Level 2 certification hosted by Josh Henkin, a strength coach from Scottsdale, AZ and creator of the Ultimate Sandbag. I knew this course was more than just about “a bag of sand” but didn’t expect to see so many concepts integrated together.

I’m proud to say that I passed my exams and am now Level 1 & 2 DVRT certified! Whoop whoop!

What does this mean? It means I have the training to successfully integrate sandbag training into a traditional fitness program and still teach proper fundamental movement patterns such as the squat and hip hinge while also enforcing core and shoulder stability. Using the Ultimate Sandbag may enhance the teaching of these movements and body positions compared to traditional fitness equipment.

For my top 3 take aways from the DVRT course, check out my guest post on Josh’s Ultimate Sandbag Website:

http://www.ultimatesandbagtraining.com/sandbag-fitness/this-really-isnt-sandbag-training/

I also put together this Ultimate Sandbag complex which kicked my butt yesterday! Here’s what I did:

A1. Lateral Deadlift to Clean
A2. Rotation Lunge to Clean
A3. Rotation Lunge to Clean
A4. Cossack Squat

As for the reps/sets, I performed 3 reps per exercise per side per set and did 5 total sets with 60-seconds rest. I used a 3/4 full water bladder inside my Ultimate Sandbag – you can hear the water sloshing around in the video (below). This increases the instability of the implement as you can see my weight shift from time to time during the complex. This increases the complexity of the exercises and forces by body to react to the always changing water position in the bag.

If you want to add sandbag training to your program, I recommend Josh’s Ultimate Sandbag. They are made from a durable vinyl with easy to grip handles. Sand filled or water filled options are available. Discloser – I am an affiliate but remember, I only support the best products available.

jon-erik kawamoto fitness coach

To find out more, check out www.JKConditioning.com/USB.

That’s a wrap.

-JK

Erin Squarey

Personal Strength Training by Thomas King

I had signed up for other gyms in the past and never went or rarely went. Something always got in the way or I was just too tired and lacked motivation to go. This way I’ve made a commitment to Jon or Thomas and I try very hard to keep my sessions once I’ve booked in. JKC is different from other gyms that I’ve tried in the past because no one is there to be “seen”. We are all there to get a good workout in and go on with our lives. And it’s a small gym so you get to know everyone and it’s like a big family. When I joined JKC, I couldn’t do a chin up with an elastic band, but I’ve slowly worked up to 10 free hanging chin ups. That was big because I hate chin ups.

Tara Stuckless

I heard really good things about it from my sister, and I could see the positive results she was getting. I needed to do something. I was overweight, depressed, and recovering from a back injury. I had reached a point where simply getting up out of a chair was becoming difficult. I knew that if I didn’t do something about it my senior years would be very burdensome to the people close to me. I’m so glad I did! After just a few weeks my day-to-day pain was drastically reduced, and my mobility increased. I had the confidence to try sea kayaking, and I now play ice hockey twice a week!

The key difference is the expertise. The trainers know the gym equipment and the exercises, but they also have degrees in kinesiology, and can apply what they know to your workout. As someone who was in poor physical condition starting out, I was worried about hurting myself. Previously I tried an outdoor weekly bootcamp and injured my knee by pushing too hard. The trainers at JKC constructed a program that started at the right level for me, evolving it as I grew stronger and more fit. I feel well looked after.

Phyllis Swyer

Personal Strength Training by Jon-Erik Kawamoto

My initial goal was to find qualified personal training services in a personalized small gym setting. I have never been a fan of large gyms. JKC offers a friendly, happy gym experience that motivates me to strive for bigger and better results every week. Jon, Thomas and Craig are genuinely talented and always excited to celebrate everyone’s success.

I have a passion for challenging myself to achieve or beat goals. My favourite memories take me back to greater wins than I ever imagined with deadlifts and after a lot of determination and hard work, being able to do multiple chin-ups. Training at JKC has been one of the best experiences of my life – thank you for your commitment to helping me stay fit!!💪🏼😅

Sean Leet

I saw an article in Men’s Journal that quoted Jon in about 2018 while traveling and was impressed that someone in St. John’s made that international magazine. Jon spoke about an exercise called the Farmer’s Walk and I started working that into my routine at the YMCA. I tore that article out of the magazine and kept it, meaning to make contact, but got busy. Then I had lunch with an old friend Bruce Dyke. I hadn’t seen Bruce for a while and I remarked that he looked super healthy and fit. He told me about his, and his son Cas’, experience at JKC and then I remembered the Men’s Journal article! No coincidences!

The experience is unique on many levels – great people, camaraderie, passion, purpose, and dedication. Jon and Thomas are attentive, precise and understanding. Their teaching has unlocked a new perspective for me with what our bodies are capable of. I still appreciate the YMCA, wonderful place, but I can’t imagine working out without Jon and Thomas now.

David Squires

Not having much if any experience with professional gyms I though it would be along the lines of going to a facility and doing your own thing, getting some instructions from time to time, if you asked for it, and for most part working out on your own, in a large impersonalized setting. I was a bit apprehensive as I figured I’d be standing around a lot looking at all this equipment wondering what to do with it, or worst doing something to hurt myself. Well I couldn’t have been more wrong. Both Jon and Thomas are very attentive, professional trainers, who lay-out an exercise program, from start to finish, for you. They demonstrate the exercise they want you to do and then watch you do it to make sure you got it right. Jon and Thomas are very thorough, patience and non-assuming.

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Challenging Ultimate Sandbag Leg Complex

By Jon-Erik Kawamoto »