Saturday, February 20, 2010
Steamship GymnasiumBack in days of yore, the steamship was a very popular method of international travel. Given the upscale nature of their clientel, and that it took several weeks of travel time, these steam ships offered all the amenities of home, including a fully stocked gymnasium like this one with its Indian Clubs, Swedish Bars, Wall Pulleys etc.
This particular gym was aboard the R.M.S. Franconia, which took thousands of immagrants from Liverpool to Boston during the years of 1912 and 1916. It was also owned by the White Start Line, which also owned the Titanic.
Labels: Gymnasiums, Indian Clubs, Steamship, Swedish Bars, Titanic, Vintage Exercise, Vintage Gymnasiums, Wall Pulleys
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Monday, February 08, 2010
Indian Club SwingingSwinging the light clubs is a training methods that has been practiced for thousands of years in other cultures but has only been going on in the U.S. relatively recently. Traditionally this method has been used to build upper body strength and promote shoulder stability -- and they work just as well today. This sequence is from The Encyclopedia of Indian Physical Culture.
Labels: Encyclopedia of Indian Physical Culture, Indian Club Training, Indian Clubs, Light Clubs, Shoulder Stability, Shoulder Strength, Traditional Exercise, Traditional Physical Training
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Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Harry Shafran's WeightsA unique look at some of the equipment once belonging to Harry Shafran and housed in his great gym. Much of what is shown here was previously owned by Warren Lincoln Travis. The whereabouts of this equipment is currently unknown.
Labels: Classic Gym, Globe Dumbbell, Globe Dumbbells, Gym Equipment, Harry Shafran, Harry Shafrans Gym, Indian Clubs, Kettlebells, Strongman Equipment
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Saturday, December 05, 2009
The Textbook of Club Swinging by Tom BurrowsWhereas Arthur Saxon wrote The Textbook of Weight-Lifting, Tom Burrows wrote the Textbook of Club Swinging. Both men were certainly qualified to do so.
Labels: Arthur Saxon, book, Club Swinging, Club Swinging Champion, Indian Club Book, Indian Club Swinging, Indian Clubs, The Textbook of Club Swinging, The Textbook of Weightlifting, Tom Burrows
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Friday, December 04, 2009
Gus HillAnother look at the great Indian Club swinger, Gus Hill and some of his fabulous clubs. I can't say much for his outfit but the shoulder development from regular club work should be evident.
Labels: Gus Hill, Heavy Indian Clubs, Indian Club Swinger, Indian Clubs, Wooden Indian Clubs
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Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Princeton Gymnastic Team, 1874A look at the the Princeton University Gymnastic Team of 1874. Obviously Indian Clubs were a big part of their program. The Captain and top performer, J.J. Chishom, is sitting in the middle holding the large club.
Labels: Gymnastic Team, Gymnastic Training, Indian Clubs, Large Indian Clubs, Princeton Gymnastics
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Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Electric Indian ClubsMr. George W. Peterson, of Chicago Illinois, was an avid Indian Club swinger who was also an engineer. One day he had an interesting idea: to devise a means of attaching electric lights to his clubs whilst swinging them in a darkened theatre, thus producing a number of interesting patterns. This occurred in June of 1900.
Labels: Custom Indian Clubs, Indian Club Performance, Indian Clubs
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Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Dr. Ed ThomasDr. Ed Thomas has been instrumental in the modern interest in Indian Club Swinging and they would not be nearly as popular without his efforts. He has been using the clubs for decades. Today, at 64 years old, he still swings the clubs often ~ naturally. Dr. Thomas is featured in the instructional DVD which comes free with our Indian Clubs in case you are interested in learning the proper technique for swinging them.
Labels: Dr. Ed Thomas, Indian Club Swinging, Indian Clubs
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Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Vintage Indian ClubsHere's a few members of the Proviso Township High School Basketball team clowning around. That's Cunningham on the left, Jarus in the middle and Warren on the right. What I'm more interested in is the Indian Clubs on the wall in the back - Wow, what a selection! This picture was taken in 1922 - and back then sights such as this were common place.
Labels: Indian Clubs
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Saturday, October 10, 2009
Narragansett Machine Company Wooden Indian ClubsOne of the most popular Indian Club Manufacturers of the early 20th century was the Narragansett Machine Company of Providence, Rhode Island. They offered clubs in many different sizes and weights. As you can see, this particular club weighs in at 1/2 pound.
Labels: Indian Clubs, Narragansett Machine Company, Wooden Indian Clubs
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Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Tom Burrows Makes the RecordOn April 18th, 1913, the Australian Club Swinging champion Tom Burrows accomplished an incredible feat: he swung a pair of Indian Clubs for 100 hours straight without a rest. He averaged 80 repetitions a minute through the entire affair, a mind-boggling feat of muscular endurance and toughness. That's a record you won't see challenged any time soon.
Labels: Australian Strongman, Endurance Club Swinging, Endurance Feat, Indian Club Swinging, Indian Clubs, Tom Burrows
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Monday, September 14, 2009
Spalding Ebonite Hardwood Indian ClubsSpalding provided a number of interesting Indian Clubs during the early part of the last century. These clubs were made of Ebony, a particularly sturdy dark wood which is also quite heavy. They also featured a decorative gold band and nickel plated heads. Given the look, style and makeup, these clubs must have been a lot of fun to train with.
Labels: Advertisement, Hardwood Indian Clubs, Indian Club Advertisement, Indian Clubs, Spalding, Spalding Indian Clubs
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Saturday, September 05, 2009
Unusual Wooden Indian ClubsHere's another interesting example of some unusual custom wooden Indian Clubs which were created by an enhusiast. Clubs of different shapes and dimensions offer different training experiences. It is quite understandable for someone who enjoys clubs swinging to have several different pairs, and likely the case with these.
Labels: Club Swinging, Custom Indian Clubs, Hardwood Indian Clubs, Indian Clubs, Wooden Indian Clubs
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Tuesday, September 01, 2009
"Classic Gym"I don't know anything about this particular classic gym other than this picture was taken in 1889. Looks like a great place to train...
Labels: Classic Gym, Climbing Ladders, Climbing Ropes, Gymnastic Rings, Gymnastics, Indian Clubs, Physical Culture Equipment
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Thursday, August 20, 2009
Indian Clubs in ChinaI knew that many other cultures regularly trained with Indian Clubs but was not aware that China was one of them, at least until now. Club swinging has always been popular with young students as it is a very good way to stay physically fit as well as build upper body strength before studies begin. A short morning training session will improve the educational process.
Labels: China, Club Swinging, Fitness, Indian Clubs, Physical Culture
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Monday, August 10, 2009
Spalding Indian ClubsIndian Clubs were immensely popular in the late 1800's and early 1900's, hence, there were a number of manufacturers which made them available, and each with their own distinct mark. The mark for A.G. Spalding & Bros of New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Chicopee, Massachusetts is shown above.
Other early manufacturers include The Narragansett Machine Company of Providence, Rhode Island, Sim D. Kehoe of New York City, The Concord Bicycle Company of Concord, New Hampshire, Edward B. Warman of Los Angeles, California, and Wood and Chester of Boston, Massachusetts.
Labels: Concord Bicycle Company, Edward B. Warman, Indian Clubs, Narragansett Machine Company, Physical Culture Equipment, Sim D. Kehoe, Spalding Indian Clubs, Wood and Chester, Wooden Indian Clubs
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Friday, July 24, 2009
A Presidential WorkoutRunning the country is hard work which is why a regular workout schedule is a good idea. Here's Calvin Coolidge swinging the Indian Clubs while House Speaker Frederick H. Gillett trains on the wall pulley in the White House Gym. This picture was taken on January 31st, 1923.
Labels: Calvin Coolidge, Classic Gym, Indian Club Swinging, Indian Clubs, Physical Culture Equipment, President, Wall Pulleys
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Thursday, July 09, 2009
Custom Wooden Indian ClubsMany early examples of Indian Clubs like these were ornately decorated by their users. A little bit of customization is not necessary, but does make club swinging a little more fun.
Labels: Custom Indian Clubs, Hardwood Indian Clubs, Indian Club Swinging, Indian Clubs, Wooden Indian Clubs
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Vintage Indian ClubsMany examples of early Indian Clubs were custom made by club swinging enthusiasts, much like this colorful pair from the early 1900's.
Labels: Custom Indian Clubs, Indian Clubs, Physical Culture Equipment, Vintage Indian Clubs, Vintage Strength Equipment, Wooden Indian Clubs
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
Traditional Indian Club TrainingDespite the lure of more 'modern' gyms, at places like the Shri Kashi Vyayamshala physical culture school in Varanasi, India, traditional training techniques are still being taught to younger generations. Here a group of students is learning to swing the light Indian clubs. Also note the Mallakhamb, or Wrestler's Pillar in the background.
Labels: Indian Club Swinging, Indian Clubs, Indian Physical Culture, Indian Wrestling, Mallakhamb, The Physical Body DVD, Traditional Exercise, Wrestler's Pillar
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Sunday, April 26, 2009
Professor Harrison"... We learn that Mr. Harrison first began to use the clubs three years ago, at which time his muscular development was not regarded as being very great, his measurements being: round the chest 37-1/2 inches, round the upper arm 13-7-8ths inches, and round the forearm 13-1/4 inches.Professor Harrison of London was a well-known gymnastics and physical culture teacher who was honored by Queen Victoria for his physical prowess. It was watching Professor Harrison expertly swing his heavy "war clubs" which inspired Sim Kehoe to bring club swinging back to America and promote it on a wide scale.
The clubs with which Mr. Harrison commenced weighed about seven pounds each; he has advanced progressively until he can now wield with perfect ease two clubs. each weighing 37 pounds, and his heaviest weighing 47 pounds.
The effects of this exercise on the wielder's measurements are as follows: round the chest 42-1/2 inches, the upper arm 15 inches, and the forearm 14 inches. At the same time, his shoulders have increased immensely, and the muscles of his mid-section which were weak when he first used the clubs, are now well-developed and powerful. In short, all the muscles of the trunk have been improved by this exercise."
Professor Harrison
Featured in The Illustrated London News
August 14th, 1852
Labels: Club Swinging, Heavy Indian Club Swinging, Heavy Indian Clubs, INdian Club Exercises, Indian Club Swinging, Indian Clubs, Professor Harrison, Sim D. Kehoe
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Wednesday, April 22, 2009
 Bob Jones | Who else? The incomparable Bob Jones balancing skillfully on his thumbs on a set of Indian clubs. Bob would begin this feat with an Indian club under each finger and then flick them away one by one until he was left on his thumbs. (Which is why the clubs are scattered beneath him.) With so many "lifting" records portrayed on this site it may be easy to overlook this one but if you want a good example of a feat which will never be duplicated, this would be it. It's difficult enough to hold a handstand, let alone on the thumbs, let alone balanced on Indian clubs. |
Labels: Balance Feat, Bob Jones, hand balancer, Hand Balancing Feat, Indian Clubs, Thumb Strength
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Friday, April 03, 2009
| In 1996 Alice J. Hoffman wrote the first book about Indian Clubs to be published in over 50 years. Unlike all previous books on Indian clubs, Hoffman focused on them as art objects and antiques rather than their use as a physical training tool. Many weights and styles of clubs are pictured and the shear number of variations and some of the history behind them makes for some interesting reading. Overall, this book was quite an unusual and expected undertaking... well worth tracking down if you are a serious Indian club fan. |  Indian Clubs by Alice J. Hoffman |
Labels: Custom Indian Clubs, Indian Club Book, Indian Clubs, Indian Clubs by Alice J. Hoffman
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Thursday, April 02, 2009
5 lb. Indian ClubsSometimes my training is as crazy as my hairstyle - yow! Anyhow, here's a look at some custom 5-pound Wooden indian clubs that I had commissioned. A lot of folks have been asking about heavier clubs. If we're going to do that, we're going to do it right. These clubs are nearly identical to those once manufactured by Sim Kehoe. As you can see, the manufacturer did a fine job with them.
Needless to say I was very pleased with how these clubs turned out. I am considering having several sets of these made up and featuring them on the website for ongoing sale although we will likely change the design a bit, maybe use a darker stain... It's hard to say exactly where we will go with this concept but look for it down the road a ways.
Swinging heavy clubs like these is a great way to build thicker wrists and stronger forearms but I strongly STRONGLY advise anyone who may be interested in taking up club swinging to master the light clubs first before you even think of touching these. -- Yes, this makes a big difference in your results.
Labels: 5 lb. Indian Clubs, Club Swinging, Custom Indian Clubs, Indian Club Swinging, Indian Clubs, John Wood, Physical Culture Equipment, Sim D. Kehoe, Wooden Indian Clubs
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Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Dr. Ed ThomasDr. Ed Thomas was introduced to the Turners and Indian Club swinging as a boy in the mid-1950s. This experience began a life-long interest in traditional physical training techniques. In 1988, Dr. Thomas studied traditional Indian club swinging in Burma for nine months.
Today, Dr. Thomas is a Fulbright Scholar, martial artist and university professor with over 25 years of teaching experience. He is actively involved in teaching and promoting physical training programs in schools and the U.S. Military.
Labels: Dr. Ed Thomas, Ed Thomas, Indian Club Benefits, Indian Clubs
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Monday, March 30, 2009
 Heavy Clubs | Although there actually were a few outlets for finding commercially-made wooden indian clubs, many, like this one, were custom made by local craftsmen. This was especially true of heavier clubs -- those weighing five pounds or more. This particular style of club was popular during the late 1800s and can be seen in the background here. The heavier clubs were very popular among wrestlers and boxers for building shoulder strength. -- something they are still very effective for accomplishing. (You'll want to master the light clubs first though, before moving on to heavier clubs.) |
Labels: Custom Indian Clubs, Heavy Indian Clubs, Indian Club Workout, Indian Clubs, Shoulder Exercise, Shoulder Strength, Wooden Clubs
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Sunday, March 29, 2009
Indian Club SwingingAmong the many benefits of regular Indian Club swinging are increased shoulder strength and stability. To obtain these benefits, however, certain traditional movements must be mastered and refined with regular practice. One of these traditional movements is demonstrated sequentially above by Dr. Ed Thomas.
Labels: Ed Thomas, Indian Club Benefits, INdian Club Exercises, Indian Club Swinging, Indian Clubs
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Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Wooden Indian ClubsIn the early days, Indian clubs were not often commercially available so many of them were custom made by individuals. Of course, many club swingers designed their own anyway in order to train with clubs of different weights and styles.
These clubs came from a private collection. Note the shorter but fatter clubs in the foreground and the intricate designs on the others. Some of the handles are also knurled for a better grip. A lot of thought went into the design and care of these clubs.
Labels: Custom Indian Clubs, Indian Clubs, Vintage Indian Clubs, Wooden Indian Clubs
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The College of the City of New York GymnasiumThe College of the City of New York Gymnasium, circa 1916. Note the 18 full sets of wall pulleys, dumbbells, Indian Clubs and the elevated track. Pretty much everything you need -- looks like a great place to get in a workout.
Labels: Classic Strongman Gyms, Gymnasiums, Indian Clubs, New York Gym, Wall Pulleys, Wooden Dumbbells
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Friday, March 13, 2009
Gus Hill: Champion Club Swinger of The World" As a means of physical culture, the Indian Clubs stand pre-eminent among the varied apparatus of gymnastics now in use. The evolutions which the clubs are made to perform, in the hands of one accustomed to their use, are exceedingly graceful.
Besides the great recommendation of simplicity, the Indian Club practice possesses the essential property of expanding the chest and exercising every muscle in the body concurrently.
Note in the crowded thoroughfare of Broadway now and then an occasional passer-by, with well-knit and shapely form, firm and elastic step, broad-chested and full blooded, and you may mark him down as an expert with the clubs."
Gus Hill,
Club Swinging Champion
circa 1890
Labels: Club Swinging Champion, Gus Hill, Indian Clubs, Physical Culture, Physical Culture Equipment
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Thursday, March 12, 2009
The Narragansett Machine CompanyAt the turn of the century, The Narragansett Machine Company was the very first widespread manufacturer of physical training equipment. They made everything from Climbing Ropes and Indian clubs to traveling rings, Wall Pulleys climbing ladders, and even sophisticated strength machines made very eloquently with oak and brass.
I didn't realize it until much later but my grade school gym was outfitted back in the 1920's entirely with classic physical training equipment from The Narragansett Machine Company -- and we were still using it fifty years later.
Labels: Antique Equipment, Climbing Ladders, Climbing Ropes, Gymnastic Rings, Indian Clubs, Narragansett Machine Company, Physical Culture Equipment, Physical Training, Providence Rhode Island, Wall Pulleys
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Sunday, March 08, 2009
Indian Club Swinging"Club swinging can be described as circular weight training but can exercise the shoulder, wrist and elbow in ways not possible with traditional linear weight training. Club swinging will not only strengthen muscles and ligaments, maintain joint flexibility and improve range of motion but will greatly reduce risk of injury.
You will also notice improved grace, rhythm and eye-hand coordination due to the concentration and neural demands necessary to perform the movements. The benefits of Indian Club Exercises are enormous and can greatly enhance the performance of any athlete." - Dr. Ed Thomas
Labels: Circular weight training, Club Swinging, Indian Club Benefits, Indian Club Swinging, Indian Club Workout, Indian Clubs, Shoulder Strength, Wooden Indian Clubs
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Saturday, March 07, 2009
Traditional Athletics:Indian ClubsMany countries represent their traditional sporting events on their stamps. Here's one from Afghanistan showing an athlete swinging large indian clubs (also called Meels).
Labels: Heavy Indian Club Swinging, Heavy Indian Clubs, Indian Clubs, Meels, Stamp, Traditional Exercise
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Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sim D. KehoeSimon "Sim" D. Kehoe was a manufacturer of gymnastic equipment who was introduced to club swinging during his travels abroad. He observed clubs of various sized being swung by British soldiers who, in turn, had learned club swinging from their counterparts in India. ... police, soldiers, wrestlers and "anyone else whose caste renders them liable to emergencies where great strength of muscle is desirable."
Once Kehoe tried the clubs for himself he instantly understood their value. Upon his return to the U.S. in 1862, he set up shop to manufacture Indian clubs and introduce club swinging to the American public on a wider scale. His efforts certainly worked, swinging Indian clubs of various sizes became wildly popular in many circles. More on Sim Kehoe and his clubs at a later date...
Labels: Club Swinging, Indian Club Swinging, Indian Clubs, Sim D. Kehoe, Sim Kehoe, Wooden Indian Clubs
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Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Handstands!You won't see many pictures like this these days. This is a group of six Chicago "Turners" each doing a handstand on a set of parallel bars. Note the sets of Indian clubs, wooden dumbbells and Milo weights on the wall in the background. The picture dates to 1905.
Labels: Classic Gym, Gymnastics, Hand Balancing, handstand, Indian Clubs, Milo Barbell Company, Physical Culture, Physical Culture Equipment, Turnverein, Vintage Gymnasiums, Wooden Dumbbells.
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Saturday, February 14, 2009
Exhibition ClubsIndian clubs come in many shapes and sizes. This is a pair of 'exhibition clubs' manufactured by Spalding sometime around 1902. They were hollow, so they are lighter than they look, and feature an ebonite finish with German Silver bands around the bottom part of the clubs. I'm sure they looked quite spectacular in action.
Labels: Exhibition Clubs, Exhibition Indian Clubs, Indian Clubs, Physical Culture Equipment, Spalding Indian Clubs
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Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Tom BurrowsOn March 20th, 1895, Australian club swinging champion Tom Burrows set out to break his own record of 24 hours on continuous club swinging. In order to do so, he set forth the following conditions:
1. The clubs were to be 2 pounds each and to be 24 inches long.
2. To Swing 50 complete circles each minute.
3. No rest or stop allowed during the 25 hours.
4. No aid of any sort allowed.
5. To swing no fewer than 70,000 complete circles for the record.
6. There would be two judges present at all times to watch the swinging.
Burrows commenced swinging his clubs at 9:18 pm on Wednesday evening. At 10:18 pm the next day he officially met his mark of 25 continuous hours of club swinging but he didn't stop there. At 11:33 pm he finally put down his clubs having established the mark of 26 hours and 15 minutes of continuous swinging. The above photograph is from that evening (I'm quite curious about the axes.)
Labels: Australian Strongman, Club Swinging, Endurance Feat, Indian Club Swinging, Indian Clubs, Tom Burrows
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Friday, January 30, 2009
John B. BaileyJohn B. Bailey, professor of sparring and gymnastics. This picture dates to April 28, 1870. Note the large indian clubs in the background... equally useful for sparring AND gymnastics. Though not particularly muscular, you can tell this gent knows his way around the ring.
Labels: Gymnastics, Indian Clubs, John B. Bailey, Sparring, Wooden Indian Clubs
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Thursday, January 15, 2009
Indian Club Swinging At WorkDuring the last century, a few minutes of Indian Club Swinging were not out of place during the normal work day. These sessions helped relieve tension and stress thus sallowing for more productive work to be accomplished. Above is George Kersten, the longtime judge of Cook County Illinois. The good judge certainly had his hands full in the city of Chicago during Prohibition years. Still, he never missed am opportunity to swing the clubs. These pictures are dated 1922.
Labels: Indian Club Benefits, INdian Club Exercises, Indian Club Swinging, Indian Clubs
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Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Indian Club Swinging With Calvin CoolidgeWhen you swing Indian Clubs you're in pretty good company. Here's Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States takng a few minutes to swing the clubs around in the 1920's. You have to admire that. Coolidge also liked to ride a mechanical horse (which he had installed at the White House) and pitch hay for exercise. Note the rack of wooden dumbbells and clubs and wall pulley in the backgound.
Also see Hooverball for another excellent example of presidential physical fitness.
Labels: Calvin Coolidge, Indian Clubs, Physical Culture, Wooden Dumbbells.
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Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Brosius' GymWhat a great gym! - This fantastic facility was established by George Brosius, a pioneer gymnastics coach and famous "Turner" in the Milwaukee area. More on him and his amazing story at a later date. Gotta love the indian clubs, climbing ropes and medicine balls. This pictures dates from the 1920s.
Labels: Classic Strongman Gyms, Climbing Ladders, Climbing Ropes, George Brosius, Indian Clubs, Medicine Balls, Milwaukee, Physical Culture, Turnverein
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Pat Miletich - MMA Fighter, 5X UFC Champ"With over 40 professional fights I've had to deal with a number of injuries including a partial rotator cuff tear, a jammed shoulder,and cartilage damage.
I went through extensive rehabilitation with limited success. I was introduced to Indian Clubs a little over 2 years ago and I can tell you since using the clubs on a regular basis, my shoulder now feels solid and 100%.
Indian Club Exercise are now a necessary part of Miletich Fighting Systems training. Not only for me, but all our fighters."
- Pat Miletich - MMA Fighter, 5X UFC Champ
Labels: Fighter, INdian Club Exercises, Indian Clubs, MMA, Pat Miletich
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Monday, March 31, 2008
Traditional Indian Club TrainingThe swinging of "jori and gada" (heavy indian clubs and maces) holds a special place in the ancient art of Kushti - (Traditional Indian Wrestling and Physical Culture Training.)
In the akharas (wrestling gyms) these traditional impliments are decorated in many unique ways. Some are painted with lively decorative patterns, others, used only by the most skilled masters, are studded with nails. Some of these decorative indian clubs weigh as much as 35 KG.
Labels: Akharas, Challenge Weight, Decorative Indian Clubs, Equipment, Gada, Heavy Indian Clubs, Indian Clubs, Indian Wrestling, Jori, Kushti, Wrestling
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Saturday, January 26, 2008
| Lest we forget, that Indian Clubs actually did come from India... This sequence is from The Encyclopedia of Indian Physical Culture and is featured as a method for keeping the shoulders strong and flexible. It was suggested that children especially should be taught the Indian Club exercises in order to build a foundation of strength as well as good posture. |  Indian Clubs |
Labels: Encyclopedia of Indian Physical Culture, Indian Club Benefits, INdian Club Exercises, Indian Clubs, Indian Physical Culture, Shoulder Exercise, Wooden Indian Clubs
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Tuesday, January 15, 2008
James J. Corbett's Indian ClubsIndian Clubs used to be very popular with turn-of-the-century boxers because they will build strong and well-conditioned shoulders.
This pair of indian clubs once belonged to the great Heavyweight Boxing Champion James J. Corbett who used them in his training circa 1895 (he held the championship belt from 1892 to 1897.) You can make out his name written in black ink on the left-most club.
Corbett certainly looks like he trained.
These clubs are 17 inches long which means they weigh around a pound each. They also once were on display in "The Ring" Boxing Museum.
Labels: Boxing, Indian Clubs, James J. Corbett, Shoulder Exercise
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Thursday, January 03, 2008
Indian Club Exercises... A look at some of the graceful arcing movements of Indian Club training. These exercises help build strength and flexibility in the shoulders and upper-body in ways no other piece of equipment can match. It is for this reason that Indian Clubs are a worthwhile addition to every program.
Keep in mind that these are not wild, random swinging movements but very precise exercises and patterns designed to train strengthen the joints and "open up the chest" in a specific way.
Labels: INdian Club Exercises, Indian Clubs, Physical Culture Equipment
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Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Indian Club Swinging at West Point"... besides the great recommendation of simplicity, the Indian Club practice possesses the essential practice of expanding the chest and exercising every muscle in the body concurrently."
- Indian Club Exercises, by E.B. Warman (1921)
"The effect of these exercises , when performed with light clubs, is chiefly a neural one, hence they are primary factors in the development of grace, coordination and rhythm. As they tend supple the muscles and articulation of the shoulders and to the upper and fore arms and wrist, they are indicated in cases where there is a tendency toward what is ordinarily known as "muscle bound."
– The United States Army Manual of Physical Training(1914)
"[Indian Clubs] cultivate patience and endurance, and operate most happily upon the longitudinal muscle of the back and shoulders, thus tending to correct the habit of stooping."
- The New Gymnastics for Men, Women and Children by Dio Lewis (1867)
"The club exercise will do much to develop the proper outlines of the shoulders back and waist. The man who uses the clubs diligently will never need to have his coats "built out" on the shoulder or padded on the front and rear."
- Indian Clubs by C.R. Treat (1869)
"Indian club exercises have of late years become one of the most universal methods of developing the muscular anatomy of the human body. Schools, colleges and even theological seminaries have adopted their use in their respective institutions with the most beneficial results. For keeping the body in a healthy and vigorous condition there has as yet been nothing invented, which for its simplicity and gracefulness can be favorably compared with the Indian Club exercise."
- Indian Clubs and Other Exercises by M. Bornstein (1889)
Labels: Indian Club Benefits, Indian Club Books, Indian Club Swinging, Indian Clubs, Strength Authors
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Thursday, December 13, 2007
| Swinging heavy Indian Clubs is a very intense workout and has been a part of Kushti (Traditional Indian Physical Training) for centuries where they are known as "Jori". Indian Clubs also appear in many other ancient physical training programs including Iran, where they are known as "Meels." These Indian Clubs are about three feet long and weight 26 pounds apiece. |  Heavy Indian Club Swinging |
Labels: Heavy Clubs, Indian Clubs, Indian Physical Culture, John Wood, Jori, Kushti, Physical Culture Equipment
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Indian Club Swinging"Indian club swinging can be described as circular weight training and can exercise the shoulder, wrist and elbow in ways not possible with traditional linear weight training.
Club swinging strengthens muscles and ligaments, maintains joint flexibility and improves range of motion.
Regular practice with Indian Clubs will improved grace, rhythm and eye-hand coordination due to the concentration and neural demands necessary to perform the movements. The benefits of Indian Club Exercises are enormous and can greatly enhance the performance of any athlete."
Labels: Circular Weight Lifting, coordination, Equipment, flexibility, Indian Club Swinging, Indian Clubs, Physical Culture Equipment
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
| Sometimes you will need unusual training equipment if you want to build unusual strength -- Here's a look at a few of my favorite pieces: You'll see a few unique sledge hammers and various tools along with some vintage Indian Clubs. Most of the time I'll use this equipment for leverage training like Slim The Hammer Man. |  Hammers, Maces and Clubs |
Labels: Hammer Training, Indian Clubs, Sledge Hammer Leverage, Sledgehammer, Slim The Hammerman, Training Equipment
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
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