Sandbags are easy to make, but hard to get right.

This matters because a durable sandbag is a great workout tool.

Carry it on your shoulder.

Clean it, jerk it, and do a burpee on your way down, and call that aman-maker.

Throw it in front of you, andrun after it so you could throw it again.

You need a sturdy sandbag to stand up to all that.

The Filler

Sand, right?

But sand loves to leak out of seams and holes.

Pea gravel weighs and costs about the same as sand, but its less sandy.

It may not feel as comfortable on your shoulder, though.

Two lighter options are worth considering.

Wood pellets, manufactured as fuel for wood stoves, are about half the density of sand.

Theyre about the size of Hot Tamales candy.

Expect to find a little bit of sawdust in the bag, but not much.

Theyre another cleaner-than-sand option.

Rubber mulch is lightweight, but its worth considering if you want to build a sandbag (mulchbag?)

thats physically large but doesnt weigh a ton.

Rubber mulch is more expensive than the options above.

Not a canvas bagthats the next step.

If your sandbag gets wet, it will get heavier.

That might be a plus!

But it could also get moldy, muddy, or gross.

If you plan to use it outdoors, something waterproof is best.

Large zip-top freezer bags (double or triple bagged).

Heavy-duty contractor garbage bags (3 mil or more), ideally double or triple bagged.

Think for a moment about how many liner bags youd like.

Dont stuff these bags full, or else youre just making tight little bricks.

A key feature of a sandbag is that it slumps around and conforms to the shape of your shoulder.

Leave a little room in whichever liner bag you use.

Theyre large enough that youll have a lot of excess plastic.

But if youre making your own, Im guessing you cant drop $80 on an empty bag.

So, look to military surplus bags.

Theyre well-made, usually of canvas, and can often be had cheap.

Look for either aduffel bag, or a plain drawstringbarracks bag.

Or thrift yourself a bag.

Cut the other strap on thediagonally oppositeside.

(Usebackstitch, and sew a square with an X in the middle.)

If the bag has any other straps, cut them off or secure them with duct tape.

Add more duct tape, or extra layers of garbage bags, as needed.