Enjoyable exercise: Indian Clubs

judsoncarroll4

Lots of folks start new exercise programs in January. One I've found to be my favorite for upper body - back and abdominals out to the fingers - is Indian Clubs. Combined with regular hikes in the mountains, it is a good, low impact regimen for general fitness for men, women and children. As with most things, I enjoy learning about the history and development of the art. Here is a a video with some really neat historic clips.

https://youtu.be/AkTYmhUMzt0

MaryRowe

Interesting film--I knew the Turners popularized the practice in this country, but didn't know how much further back it went before them or how much it was elaborated and how popular it was in late 19th/early 20th. And I didn't know there were still Turnvereinen around today. Or that the practice is also still around, to some extent. The historic film clips are amazing.

The whole thing reminds me a bit of kettlebells, something of a contemporary equivalent.

judsoncarroll4

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/887748#Comment_887748

I've tried kettlebells, but they are nowhere near as much fun!

MaryRowe

Yeah, I tried kettlebells too, and got bored with them after a while. You could probably do a lot of the same basic stuff with both, but I can see that the lighter weight Indian clubs that allow you more options with the hand hold, would let you do a greater range of movements.

naomi.kohlmeier

That looks like a lot of fun!

judsoncarroll4

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/887757#Comment_887757

It is, and it also really builds respiratory capacity and endurance.

Marjory Wildcraft

So when I was younger we did batons in parades. I wonder if that is some rement of club swinging? I haven't seen a lot of young firls doing baton work in recent years... but I haven't looked much either. LOL

Cornelius

@Marjory Wildcraft When I was in my high school marching band ( around 3 years ago) another school had a baton girl. She was really good, they even lit the batons on fire!!!

naomi.kohlmeier

@judsoncarroll4 have you ever lost your grip on them when you were swinging them around?

judsoncarroll4

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/888142#Comment_888142

No. At first, I worried I would, but it has never happened. Grip strength builds with each exercise.