"HOW TO GET THE WORKOUT OF YOUR LIFE... with 2 pounds of wood?!"
How to Build Stronger, Healthier Shoulders (and a Whole Lot More)
With a 5000-year old Indian Tradition
"I didn't think so either...until I tried them." Every workout, there you are, pushing and pulling heavy weights (which is
definitely a good thing), but there's more to it than strengthening the muscles alone. You must maintain stronger
joints as well.
After all, when you lift weights, you can only lift them in straight lines...but your body moves and functions
in a circular manner.
This is especially true for the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder. Think of how many different directions you can move your arm and
how few of them you can reach with "weights" alone.
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Traditional Indian Clubs
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There's no question that the shoulder girdle is by far one of the most movable areas of the body but it is also
one of the most fragile. Regardless of
how you use your body, it is very important to keep the shoulders strong, loose and flexible. But many people never fully
develop their natural shoulder girdle mobility and muscular balance...
Let me tell you of a simple
training technique that will help...
The 5000 Year-Old Tradition That Makes You Stronger and More Flexible...
Indian Club
Exercises |
Several thousand years ago, Indian wrestlers and warriors prepared themselves for battle by swinging wooden "clubs" to
condition their bodies and build
upper-body strength. This practice spread amongst many different countries throughout the ensuing years.
In the 1800's, British soldiers started practicing "Indian Club" techniques and brought them back to Europe
where they became part of the physical culture tradition. Shortly after, European immigrants brought
Indian Club training to American shores where this technique was adopted into American school physical education programs
and military physical readiness training.
Utilizing a series of graceful swinging movements, Indian Club training was a simple method for individuals to build stronger,
healthier bodies while promoting joint integrity and improving overall strength. Sadly, Indian Club training fell out of favor in
the 1920's but that didn't mean this ancient technique had to disappear forever.
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A NEW Era: Ancient Training Techniques for Modern Results
The benefits of club swinging are endless and now you can bring this ancient tradition into your own workout with our
New Traditional Wooden Indian Clubs.
These clubs are light and portable and come in two sizes:
Our 1 lb. clubs are only 17 inches in length, while our
2 lb. clubs (pictured at right) are 19 inches - so they will easily fit into your gym bag.
This makes Indian club swinging an exercise you can do wherever you want.
You simply need a space big enough to let you swing the clubs without interference.
But just because the clubs are light doesn't mean that you aren't going to get one hell of a workout.
Our 1 lb. clubs will give even the strongest
of athletes a very vigorous workout when used correctly... |
Traditional Indian Clubs
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Why You Can Get a Great Workout with 2 Pounds of Wood
The biggest question on your mind is undoubtedly whether you really can get a great workout with something as light
as a few pounds. Think about what we are trying to do here (and keep in mind that Indian club training is not like training with "weights" as you
know it) the clubs allow you to apply resistance in a circular manner, thus increasing posture, blood flow, and flexibility to all
joints involved. Indian Clubs will help you "open" up your chest, increasing lung capacity and helping you breathe more efficiently.
Remember how I mentioned the shoulder joint earlier? -- When the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder is made stronger,
aligned, and more mobile, other joints like the wrist and elbow also benefit...and Indian Clubs can exercise the shoulder,
wrist and elbow in ways not possible with traditional linear weight training.
The movements are easy to learn and just a few minutes of club swinging makes you feel "solid" and ready for action. As a
strength athlete, shoulder health is of the utmost importance -- a few minutes of Indian club swinging a day will keep your shoulders feeling
stronger and more powerful.
Pat Miletich |
"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."
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Full Instructional DVD is Available
Scenes from the
Training DVD |
Just to make sure you learn the correct techniques, a complimentary instructional DVD is included with the 1-pound
Indian Club Package. We recommend all athletes
begin with this size. The 2-Pound Club Package does NOT include the instructional DVD but can be included at an
additional charge.
The instructional DVD called "Learn the Ancient Art of Indian Club Exercises," is hosted by Dr. Ed Thomas, fulbright scholar,
martial artist and physical education teacher who has been teaching classes in schools across the country.
Dr. Thomas earned his B.S. and M.A. in Exercise Science from The University of Iowa and
his Ed.S and Ed.D in Curriculum and Supervision from Northern Illinois University. Dr. Thomas has taught the art of Indian Club Swinging to the following schools: Northern Illinois University, Emory University,
Upper Iowa University-Fort Benning, Troy State University-Fort Benning, and Graceland University.
He is recognized by the Fitness Council of the National Sporting Goods
Association as being a quotable health and fitness specialist.
He began learning the art of club swinging over 50 years ago in the German-American gymnastics tradition. In 1988, he studied under a Burmese club swinging master while living
in Rangoon. Soon, he reintroduced club swinging to the United States Army while working at the United States Army Physical Fitness School in the early-1990s.He has produced fitness programs
for schools, the US Army, and nations around the
world.
He has been studying kinesiology for 40+ years and is convinced of the incredible benefits of Indian club
swinging. He learned the art of swinging the clubs
when living in Korea, Germany, Burma and Thailand and studying their physical cultures. Ever since, he has been
promoting the use of Indian clubs throughout the world.
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Indian Clubs - Something your workout has been missing
We have a couple of options for you to choose from. The first is our 1 lb. Indian Clubs. They have a quality finish,
and a traditional look. Great for general use, but also a great collector piece. These clubs come bundled with the instructional DVD.
Our other option is a our 2 lb. practice clubs made of seasoned and lacquered Indian Aicaia handwood.
The 2-Pound clubs are a bit heavier, so we recommend them only for those who are experienced in club
swinging and are looking for a new challenge.
Both the 1 lb. and the 2 lb. clubs are made in the "bottleneck" style and will give you a great workout, regardless of your strength. When we first received these clubs,
I picked up the 1 lb. clubs and gave them a try. I broke a sweat just minutes into the routine. For such a small amount
of weight, they sure do make you work.
As a third option, we offer the Collector's Combination. You will receive a pair of 1 lb. clubs, a pair of 2 lb. clubs,
and the instructional DVD.
Training with Indian clubs is a great way to improve your overall physical strength, flexibility, and shoulder integrity. They are
portable, easy to pick up and use, and will produce results almost immediately. No matter what your age or ability level, these
clubs are an excellent workout.
Pick up a pair today!
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Train hard,
John Wood
The Oldtime Strongman Genuine Wooden Indian Clubs - Order Below:
To place your order by phone, please call us at 1-800-978-0206
Indian Club Testimonials
Blue Man Group is a fun and intense show to perform in. The drumming style we use is big and physical.
Besides the normal strain involved with repetitive motion, we play on multiple surfaces, including pvc tubing
and paint covered drum heads. Were expected, of course, to be in shape and ready to give one hundred percent in every show.
Each performer has his own way of warming up and staying in shape. I find the Indian Clubs to be an amazing tool to strengthen and lengthen my muscles,
joints, and tendons. Whether Im just warming up before a performance, warming down after a performance, or doing some more intense strength building exercises with
heavier clubs, I never feel any excess strain from the clubs. Kalen Allmandinger - Blue Man Group
In Crossfit, we do a lot of high-intensity weightlifting and gymnastics. I purchased about a dozen pairs of Indian Clubs to use as a warm-up
in our group classes. They were an instant hit. In fact, my athletes are completely spoiled by them now, and request them in every session. Club swinging is fun,
helps to both prevent and rehab shoulder injuries, and is an excellent workout in its own right. Michael Latch - Valley Crossfit
I became interested in Indian Clubs several years ago after speaking with Vern Gambetta. What intrigued us about using the clubs was the training potential of
extending the kinetic chain and being able to add resistance in all planes of motion. The clubs are definitely one of those training tools that have to be tried to be
understood, but the main reason I use them is that they require you to be mindful rather than mindless in your movements. You learn to create fluid, graceful, precise
movement patterns, and these patterns are great for your shoulders, elbows, and wrists especially. Baseball and volleyball players, Nordic skiers, and swimmers are some
of the athletes who can benefit greatly by adding these functional, inexpensive and portable tools to their training program. Steve Myrland -
Myrland Sports Training, LLC
The Indian Clubs are great! I have clients ranging from college bound students to men and women in their 80s using the clubs for different reasons.
Some are using for warming up or cooling down before and after a workout while others are using as their main activity to help promote or maintain coordination
and flexibility of the shoulder girdle. We have several physical therapists using the clubs as a rehab tool. Chris Hall - Symmetry Fitness, LLC, New York, NY
There is just nothing like a workout with the clubs for general health, mobility and flexibility. Its good for anyone but especially good for the martial
artist because along with the loosening of the shoulder girdle it promotes coordination and strength in motion. Since I started using clubs about a year ago, I also
found a heavier set and have been exploring lots of different exercises based on my practice of Filipino-Kali-Escrima. Stephen Browne - Martial Arts Instructor
Warsaw, Poland
Besides adding interest and a new challenge to any routine, the Indian Clubs contribute neuromuscular and cognitive stimulation that cant be duplicated
with any other equipment. Im just beginning to learn about cross-pattern movement and right/left brain function, and I feel that clients can benefit from the clubs
in ways they might not even realize. At Fitness Performance we strive for integrated whole body movements instead of part-by-part workouts, and club swinging fits right
into this method of training. Marc Andresen - Fitness Performance, Glen Gardner, NJ.
I would like to thank Dr. Ed and Dick Thomas for opening a new world and expanding my horizons in the fitness industry. Incorporating Indian Clubs to my personal
training has done wonders for my shoulder injuries. Adding Indian Clubs to my adult fitness classes and my Kung Fu Kids classes has brought new functional training to our
center, or should I say old functional training since Indian Clubs have been around for a long time. Sim D. Kehoe was the pioneer of Indian Club training in America at the
end of the 19th century. Ed and Dick Thomas are the modern day pioneers of Indian clubs reintroducing this almost dead art. Julio Anta-Antas Fitness and Self Defense,
Miami (Doral), FL
I purchased a pair of Indian Clubs and video about a year ago for therapy of chronic shoulder pain. I have now been using the clubs for one year and have achieved a
much greater range of motion and decreased pain. I have now prescribed the clubs to my patients who tell me of the same results. I would highly recommend the use of Indian Club
Exercises for chronic shoulder pain and loss of range of motion. Dr. Mark Schmall D.C. - Chiropractor Rock Island, Illinois
I love the Indian clubs and the exercises.They are deceptively strenuous! I suffer a lot of neck and back pain from sitting all day at a desk and the exercises
really feel like theyre helping, restoring a kind of balance in a way. I spin the tape forwards and look at the more complicated moves and hope one day I get there. Adele
Carroll - Lymington, Hampshire UK
Im 52 years of age vocationally a government budget officer who spends way too many hours at a computer. A vocationally, I am a martial artist with over 35 years
of practice – the last 15 or so in Southeast Asian martial arts (kali, silat, kuntoa, bando, gungfu, etc.). I have now been swinging Indian Clubs for a little over a year.
The Ed Thomas video gave me the best instruction to date. The use of lightweight clubs helped loosen and strengthen the shoulder girdle which tends to get tight when I spend
too many hours at a computer. The light clubs also helped my elbows and wrists that have been injured through martial arts practice. With the club swinging technique, I get
full extension of the joints which I do not with more compact movements and exercises. Robert Eggebrecht - Chicago, Il
University of Management Associate Editor of the SportScience Web Site
Indian Club training was introduced at the University about two years ago. Since then, our students have really gravitated to Indian Club exercises. The rhythm of Club Swinging
has an appeal that feels almost primordial. I would rate Club Swinging as one of the best body/mind exercises that exist. The psychomotor control it develops is complex
and exotic, stirring joy at every swing. Ken Daley - Associate Professor Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, Maharishi
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