What is the difference between a strength bag and a Bulgarian bag?
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You've probably come across both terms: Bulgarian bags and strength bags. Both are bags, and both are for strength training. But what is the difference between the two bags? And which one is best suited for your training goals?
Let's start with the definitions of both bags.
What is a Bulgarian bag?
A Bulgarian bag is a variant of the power bag. It looks like a big croissant and owes its name to the inventor: former Olympic athlete Ivan Ivanov. Indeed, a Bulgarian. The Bulgarian bag is a multifunctional training accessory and is available in various weights with (usually) a minimum weight of 5 kilos and a maximum weight of 30 kilos. With a Bulgarian bag, you can always train at your own level and you have the opportunity to work up to a higher level by increasing the weight.The original Bulgarian bags were made of goatskin and filled with sandbags that were separated by wool. Nowadays, the bags are made of (artificial) leather and have a filling made of steel gravel.
Bulgarian bags are mainly used in wrestling, martial arts, fitness, crossfit, Strongman competition training and functional training. So, it's the perfect tool for training your explosiveness. You mainly train the deeper muscles. You improve strength and endurance and work on a full body workout. Thanks to the 'croissant shape', the Bulgarian bag fits perfectly around your neck and over your shoulders.
What is a strength bag?
A strength bag is straight and has an elongated shape, like a stick of English liquorice. It is also known as a “power bag”, “sandbag” or “fitness bag”. The strength bag is filled with sand that moves back and forth during exercises. As a result, your body must work hard to ensure that you stay in balance and thus more muscles are used than if you were making the same movement repeatedly. So, a good power bag is an unstable strength bag.A strengthbag has handles so you can have a good grip and lift the bag. Fitness bags are available in various weights, from 5 kilos to as much as 50 kilos. A sandbag is therefore very suitable for training with forward and backward movements. It allows you to push, pull, press, swing and even throw. Due to the versatility of the strength bag, you can see it as a combination of a kettlebell, medicine ball and barbell.
The difference between a strength bag and a Bulgarian bag
The shape is, of course, the most striking difference between the Bulgarian bag and the strength bag. This affects the use of both bags. A Bulgarian bag is more suitable for lifting and training explosiveness, while you can better use a strength bag to swing.A strength bag has four handles: two on the side and two on top, Bulgarian bags have three handles on the back and two handles with loops on the front.
You also use a strength bag mainly for training with instability, while a Bulgarian bag is used for working on strength. And finally, strength bags are available in heavier weights.
Whether you choose a Bulgarian bag or a strength bag, both bags are indispensable accessories for training deep muscles that are difficult to reach with dumbbells or weights, for example.
