Bulgarian Bag FAQ’s
How do I learn to use the Bulgarian Bag?
The Bulgarian Bag in the past was only been used for Olympic and professional competitive level athletes to include wrestling, various martial arts, and MMA athletes. Recognizing the value of this training tool and the extreme benefits to all athletes at any level, the IBBC is dedicated to educating and exposing the world to this incredible and versatile training tool. The fitness applications for Bulgarian Bag are endless! Focusing on movement based exercises that target increased muscle endurance, superior grip strength and mental toughness.
Please take a look at our Events section for upcoming certifications, seminars and workshops. If you are interested in hosting an IBBC event, please contact us!
Is the Bulgarian Bag appropriate for use by women?
Absolutely! Women can train just like men. The benefits of the bag are based on muscular endurance, strength, stability, agility and coordination. This tool is appropriate for use by women of all ages training for a variety of sports and skills. The spectrum ranges from judo and other martial arts to triathletes and women who are interested in challenging their own current fitness levels!
What weight Bulgarian Bag is the appropriate weight to start with for both men and women?
Training with the Bulgarian Bag incorporates grip strength development along with the other aspects of use. Your current level of fitness, anaerobic capacity, age, history of exercise, strength and level of relative muscle endurance will all be key in choosing the right size bag. Generally, most women like to begin training with the small bag to get a good feel for its use as they develop the appropriate grip and specific muscle endurance. Men will usually start with the 26lb, again taking into consideration the variables mentioned above. However, most women can easily start with the 26 lb. bag for the lower body exercises, but will probably use the small bag for many of the upper body movements. Remember, the cumulative and dynamic effect of the bag is demanding, so the numerical value of the weight is very deceptive! Remember that the weight of the bag is based on the static weight as it sits still on the ground. However, once the Bulgarian Bag is picked up and starts to move, the cumulative forces of momentum, gravity, speed of movement, and inertia all play roles in determining the actual forces upon your body. So don’t be fooled by just the static weight, the real fun begins the moment you start moving it!
Does the Bulgarian Training Bag replace all other training tools?
No. We believe that these are tools in your arsenal that should be used for desired outcome based on your training goals and objectives. The Bulgarian Bag has unique properties and should be used together with a variety of hardware such as Kettlebells, barbells, dumbbells, dips, thick bars, trap bars, lever bars, medicine balls, grip devices, cardio equipment, and other tools as part of a well-rounded training program.
Does the Bulgarian Training Bag come with any warranties or guarantees?
Yes, the Bulgarian Training Bag is guaranteed and warranted to be free from manufacturing defects for one year. Normal use will result in normal wear and tear on the bag, which usually only amounts to a settling of the inner sand and wool compartments. However, if within six months of original purchase date your bag leaks sand or wool, tears, or becomes un-stitched due to normal wear and tear, return the empty bag and you will be shipped a new replacement bag. We take great pride in the quality of our training tools.
What is normal wear and tear?
Normal use gives the Bulgarian Bag a more pliable feel and seasoned look. The more use the Bulgarian Bag gets, the easier it is to work with. Please note that excessive slamming of the bag on the ground is not considered normal wear and tear, or use of the straps for dynamic movements that are not recommended. This type of activity will lead to breakage of the inner components and is considered misuse. As as result, the warranty will be voided. Suples produces high quality products that have undergone years of rigorous testing under extreme training conditions at the U.S. Olympic training center, but miss-use will damage even the highest quality products.
Care for your Bulgarian Bag
Your Bulgarian Bag is made of the highest quality grades of leather, and manufactured by hand in Bulgaria. Leather is a natural product with many variations in its color and graining and every hide tells a story.
Properly caring for your Bulgarian Bag can make a huge difference in its lifespan.
- Keep your Bulgarian Bag in a cool, dry place when it is not in use. Do not leave your bag where the heat could affect the leather (this includes the trunk of your car).
- Be careful not to store your Bulgarian Bag near a radiator or other heat source to prevent excessive drying out of the leather.
- All natural leathers will fade when placed in sunlight. Again, do not store your Bulgarian Bag near windows, under skylights or in direct sunlight to avoid fading and drying out of the leather.
- If your Bulgarian Bag gets wet, dry it with a towel and let it air-dry.
- Keep your Bulgarian Bag clean with an occasional wipe-down using a soft, clean cloth.
- All natural leathers are prone to staining from liquids, body oils and perspiration.
- Occasional conditioning of the leather is recommended. However, we do not recommend neatsfoot oil, linseed oil or silicon-type spray as these tend to close the pores of the leather, causing it to dry, harden, and become heavy over an extended period of time and through repeated use. Petroleum jelly keeps the pores open and in effect, keeps the leather “alive” while providing a softening condition. There are other cleaners and conditioners that are safe, especially those scientifically developed for glove leather.
- If the Bulgarian Bags are used in a group setting, we recommend using a standard mat disinfectant to wipe down the bags after use. Please note that the disinfectants will dry out the leather and it is important to maintain a leather conditioning protocol with the bags.