Sample Class: Sand Bell HIIT

More flexible and variable than dumbbells or kettlebells, sand bells are sand-filled disks that can be lifted, slammed, tossed, curled, or flipped like a heavy pancake. The following playful workout mixes high-intensity cardio and strength training with two levels of progression, creating a user-friendly class for any participant.

Sand Bell HIIT Details

FORMAT: strength and cardio conditioning

TOTAL TIME: 55 minutes

GOAL/EMPHASIS: variable heart rate training with overloading of major muscle groups

EQUIPMENT NEEDED: exercise mats or towels and one sand bell (SB), between 5 and 25 pounds, per participant. Attendees should be able to lift the SB from the floor safely and correctly and press the weight overhead without compromising their neck, back or shoulders.

MUSIC: Any selection will work; intervals are tied to time rather than the beat. Create an upbeat, high-energy playlist.

CLASS OVERVIEW: Each round contains two levels (initial and progression) of one cardio move and two levels of a strength-based move (a total of four).

Perform each exercise for 45 seconds, followed by 15 seconds of rest. Complete each round twice, 8 minutes total. Emphasize that the progression is an option and participants may stay with the base version if desired. Provide low-impact versions of the moves or use body weight only.

Note: During the 15 seconds of rest, demonstrate upcoming exercises or progressions.

Warmup (6 minutes)

Using body weight only, do each of the following moves for 30 seconds. Complete two rounds.

• squat
• jumping jack
• alternating lunge
• inchworm (from standing, walk down into high plank and back)
• stationary lunge (right foot forward, then left foot second time through)
• spider (from high plank, step foot to outside of hand; alternate sides)

Work Phase (40 minutes)

ROUND ONE

DETAILS:

SB slam: From ready stance, lift SB from floor. Stay low through legs and keep core engaged. Lift SB overhead. Release/let go with force from low squat. Perform two jumping jacks.

SB slam + jump over + two jack flip turns: Slam SB
on ground, jump over SB, perform jumping jack facing away from bag, then do 180-degree flip and do second jack facing bag. Pick up SB and repeat.

Alternating SB lunge: Do alternating R and L lunges, holding SB against chest, arms crossed in X.

Alternating SB lunge with chest rotation: While holding SB, rotate ribs to side of forward lunging leg.

ROUND TWO

DETAILS:

SB jumping jack: Do jumping jacks while holding SB against chest, arms crossed in X.

SB overhead press jack: Holding opposite sides of SB, press it overhead as feet go out, then lower it to chest level as feet come in.

SB stationary lunge: Do stationary lunge with SB held against chest, arms crossed in X. Complete exercise with R leg forward for entire 45-second interval and L leg forward the second time through.

Stationary lunge with SB row: Stand in wide staggered stance/lunge preparation with R leg forward. Hold edge of SB with L hand. Pull into one-arm row while lowering R leg into stationary lunge. Repeat on opposite side in second set.

ROUND THREE

DETAILS:

Slam burpee: With good form, pick up SB, raise it overhead and slam it on floor. Then do burpee, hands on either side of SB upon release. Lift SB for next rep and repeat.

Slam burpee with side plank: Do one slam burpee and add side plank (one side) before returning to standing. Alternate sides for plank.

SB wide squat: Hold SB to chest, arms crossed in
X. Perform wide squats, feet turned out 45 degrees.

SB wide squat with curl: Complete SB wide squat, but grip SB across forearms as if holding a tray. Curl SB toward chest while lowering into squat.

ROUND FOUR

DETAILS:

SB swing: Grip SB with both hands and, from wide stance, perform kettlebell swing. Maintain straight spine and hinge at hips.

SB swing, toss and bound: (First ensure that participants have 5–8 feet of free space in front of them.) Perform three SB swings. Release SB on last follow-through, allowing it to fly forward several feet. Staying in squat, perform plyometric squat bounds past SB, and then flip to face opposite direction. From there, perform series again.

Triple-kick SB touch: Place SB on floor next to kicking leg. Do three repeating front kicks and then step kicking leg back into low lunge, tapping SB with nearest hand.

Triple-kick SB touch with balance knee: Perform triple-kick SB touch, but after touching down, pick up SB and hold to chest while bringing kicking leg through to balance knee lift. Lower SB to floor with another low lunge and repeat.

ROUND FIVE

Grab exercise mat or towel for this round.

DETAILS:

Plank walk: With SB on floor, feet wide on either side, squat and place hands on SB, walk out to high plank and back in to wide squat. Lift chest but stay deep in squat position.

Plank-walk triceps pushup: Complete plank walk, adding triceps pushup in high plank. Pick up SB while returning to wide squat. Modification: Do triceps pushup from knees.

SB crunch press: Hold SB like a steering wheel. Press SB toward ceiling while crunching. Lower SB to chest as shoulders lower to floor.

SB crunch press with toe drop: Start with knees over hips, calves parallel to floor (supine). Dip toes to floor as SB lowers to chest during crunch press. Move from hips and brace abdominals as R leg moves up and down. Switch to other side on second set.

Cooldown (5–10 minutes)

Stretch the large primary movers targeted during the workout: spinal erectors, obliques, gluteals, hamstrings, adductors, shoulders and chest. Here’s a sample list of stretches:

• pigeon pose
• downward-facing dog
• child’s pose
• lying spinal rotation
• seated hamstring stretch
• butterfly stretch (adductors)
• fingers interlaced behind back (pectorals)