We can think of lots of reasons not to exercise, like not having time or not feeling well, but excuses won’t get you into shape, will they? One excuse you simply can’t use is saying that you don’t have everything you need to get started. Well, once you’ve made your own weights, you’ll have everything you need, and there will me no more legitimate excuses!
Exercise weights don’t have to cost you a lot of money. You can make your own, in assorted sizes and weights, to use while you exercise. They’re very easy to make and will cost you next to nothing. There are a variety of ways to make them, too, some even using things you already have at home.
Not everyone has a bag of sand at home, though, so you’ll need to purchase some from your local hardware or home improvement store. The bags of sand come in different sizes making it easy for a group of exercisers to get together and create their own weights.
Something as simple as a plastic zipper-lock bag can become your new weights. Use an ordinary scale, or kitchen scale, to determine the weight of each bag. Fill the plastic bags with the appropriate amount of sand and squeeze out all the air. Zip the bag shut and you have your first weight. It’s important to get the air out of the bag or it will be awkward to hold the bag of sand while exercising. Letting the air out causes the bag to lie flatter and makes it easier to hold.
Most any type of bag that will close can become an exercise weight. Even bags made of cloth will work. As long as the bag has a secure fastener, it’s most likely suitable for this project, as long as it is the proper size.
One easy way to make exercising sandbags is to use throw pillow covers. Small throw pillows often have a zipper so that you can remove the foam and wash the cover. These covers are perfect for sandbag exercise weights. If you want, place the sand in a plastic zipper-lock bag first, then place it inside the pillow cover. That way, you can launder the pillow cover without worrying about spilling sand.
It’s very easy to put straps on the cloth sandbag weights. The straps make it easier to hold on to the weights while doing particular maneuvers. Create a strap from cloth or even from an old belt. Before placing the sand in the cloth bag simply stitch the straps onto one side of the pillow cover.
To make handles for the plastic bags use tape. Tear off a piece of masking tape the size you want the handle to be. Set this piece aside for a moment. Begin wrapping the bag with the tape, going around the bag a couple of times. Now pull the tape out, to the size you need the handle to be, but don’t put the tape against the bag. Instead, place the piece of tape you originally tore onto the extended piece that isn’t touching the bag, with sticky sides together. Now continue wrapping the tape around the bag once again. The two pieces of tape that have the sticky sides together become the handle for the weight.
Cloth sandbag weights don’t necessarily have to be round or square like a throw pillow. Fill the bottom of a pillowcase with sand, stitch shut, and you’ve created a long weight that’s great for overhead lifting. You can even make small weights by filling small stuffed animals with sand. Make a small slit in the stitching to remove the old stuffing, then fill the animal with sand instead. Stitch shut for cute weights unlike any that your friends have!
Using weights when you exercise is a proven way to build muscles and get more from your workout. Don’t let the fact that you don’t own any weights keep you from getting in shape. Get together with some friends and create sets of weights for all of you. It’s fun and easy and will save you a bundle. Make sets to give friends and family, too. They make great gifts for others that love exercising.
Reference:
- Purchase pillow covers here: www.overstock.com
