Interview with Matthew Palfrey of Brute Force Sandbags Europe

Fitness equipment can’t get much simpler than sand in a bag. Check out this interview to find out more where I get to talk with Matthew Palfrey from Brute Force Sandbags Europe.

The irony of this interview is almost too good to pass up. I live within an hour of the headquarters for BruteForce Sandbags, but thanks to the virtual world I’m meeting with Matthew from Europe. Go across the pond to learn more about a company in my own backyard.

We struggle with technology to make a Skype interview work across the pond, but check out how you can use sandbags to improve your fitness. Thanks to Skype this interview is a flashback to Maxheadroom from the early 90’s – almost too annoying.

But I’ve done my best to edit the content. Excuse the skips and jumps it is my meager attempts at the all so amazing fast-cut editing. The interview is definitely still worthwhile. Matthew explains how he got involved with sandbags, why they have become a central tool to his fitness, and how he got involved with BruteForce Sandbags to represent all of Europe.

Who is Matthew Palfrey?

His background is coaching, where he’s been coaching for the past 15 years. With a degree in bio-mechanics and takes the time to passionately look at how people are moving. His focus has been helping people in commercial and private environments to help people move; a unique specialty.

One area where he’s been able to apply bio-mechanics has been in rehabilitation. He’s been able to work with people who weren’t able to move at all and take them through a journey back to movement again. Giving someone the gift of movement again has been tremendously rewarding.

We will always have people wanting to lose weight and gain muscle.

LinkedIn – Social Networking for Professionals

Matthew and I met via LinkedIN. What we’ve discovered is that the boundaries of LinkedIN for professional networking continues to expand. No matter what niche, or career background you are in there are ways you can connect with others.

Falling Into Sandbags

Matthew, as a specialist in the bio-mechanics, tripped into using sandbags. He found some references to sandbags, then made his own to start.

Sandbags started out as a journey. Matthew just started by lifting sand in the garage. There are really no barriers to entry to try out sandbags.

He shares his workouts from the garage on his blog, Sandbag Fitness.

BruteForce Sandbags

BruteForce Sandbags found Matthew because so much of his site was focused solely on the use of sandbags for training. Based in Colorado, they found Matthew and approached him by offering demo sandbags for him to try out. The bags were more resilitent than the DIY version and after 18 months of use the bags are holding up: no leaks, no tears, no rips. The product passes his testing.

But you don’t have to start off with BruteForce. Start off simple. Find a cheap and available way to get started, then see what works. If sandbags work and you enjoy it then you can invest in something that will last and serve you better in the long run.

There are options. Just get started.

How do Sandbags Fit Into a Fitness Arsenal?

Sandbags are an odd-shaped object that doesn’t cooperate with you. it is real world, a weight that doesn’t make it easy to grab. You will end up training with much less weight than with a barbell. Sandbags translate well into contact sports and life.

This type of training fits well for a broad range of age groups. Dare we call it a form of functional training, but the sandbag provides a means of training that translates to a number of actives we encounter in life like picking up a child, or groceries, etc.

The sandbags don’t have handles so you need to be able to grip the bag to train. Unlike many other forms of training where you hands aren’t even engaged in the exercise. While with sandbags if you don’t have a good grip you really can’t use this form of training at all.

Sandbag training is particularly helpful for people who have issues loading the top of the spine like you would with a back squat. They also work well for loaded hill sprints, loaded carries. There are lot of practical applications of sandbag training.

How To Get Started with Sandbags?

Start with a bag filled with sand. Ducttape up the holes and get started. Simple and to the point.

Matthew has a ton of tools to help you get started:

• Sandbag Fitness Workouts on the Blog
• Videos at Coach Palfrey on YouTube
• The Complete Guide to Sandbag Training

25% Discount for Cube Dwellers

Jump for joy! Matthew has setup a special discount just for you, you cube dweller. He is offering a 25% discount on his book with you use this discount code.

To get the discount, just enter the code cubedweller25 when you order Matthew’s book: The Complete Guide to Sandbag Training

Sandbags – Have you tried them?

Let’s hear from you. Have you had a chance to try using a sandbag to workout? I have only tried some DIY versions. I had planned to get to visit BruteForce in Denver, but plans fell through. I’ll make another trip up there to be put through the paces with a BruteForce Sandbag.

Let’s hear your sandbag story.