The Complete Clubbell Review
Everything you ever wanted to know about clubbells – the world’s best club swinging tool for strength training.
The clubbell is a club swinging tool that is primarily used for strength and conditioning, fitness training, and athletic performance enhancement. I’ve been using clubbells regularly since 2006, and it’s about time that I give this great piece of equipment the attention it deserves. I’ve seen what they’re capable of, and to tell you the truth, I’m very impressed.
Given that clubbells are not cheap, you should probably know the whole story before making your first purchase. I know what it’s like being a first-time buyer – you’re skeptical. I was too. Back when I first learned of clubbells, I was a fresh out-of-college, soon-to-be married personal trainer with very little disposable income. Every penny counted, and I wasn’t about to blow a bunch of money on a scam product that would collect dust in my home gym. I needed to know if it would be worth the investment BEFORE I spent my hard-earned cash.
The RMAX organization makes some bold claims concerning the clubbell. Truth be told, I think some of them are way over the top, but that doesn’t mean I would discourage anyone from looking into purchasing a clubbell. It’s just important to educate yourself and understand the TRUE advantages, disadvantages, and proper applications before you pull out that credit card.
This review is meant to help you in two ways: 1) learn all about the clubbell training tool itself, and, 2) decide if it’s right for your situation. I’d also like to offer you a free gift if you do decide to invest in the clubbell.
Clubbell Review Components:
1) Learn all about the Clubbell equipment itself in the Product Review (videos): This is where you’ll get all of your product-related questions answered, including detailed information about what the clubbell is, what it’s made of, quality and design considerations, what makes it unique, and who the clubbell is best suited for (and not best suited for).
2) Determine if the Clubbell is the right training tool for you: This section will deal specifically with who can benefit from the clubbell, and who cannot. If you’re trying to make up your mind about whether the clubbell is right for YOU and your circumstances, then this section will provide you with the answers you need.
You’re about to get an inside look at what clubbells are REALLY all about. This is a long product review, as I wanted to err on the thorough side and try to cover everything. So, let’s take a detailed look at the clubbell, the world’s best club swinging tool.
Clubbell Product Review
The clubbell combines modern engineering technology with ancient principles of strength training to create an effective tool for health-first, multi-planar strength training (that’s fancy speak for “three-dimensional strength in real life”).
The advantage that the clubbell has over other weight swinging tools is in its innovation and design standards. Simply put, the clubbell has a far superior design and higher quality standards over other weight swinging tools.
The primary advantage that the clubbell has over other strength training tools is its multi-dimensional training nature, and that it can be used to improve the conditioning of a broad range of movements, instead of just muscle groups. This is not just another feature or highlight to throw in with the rest – this has major implications! We live, work, and play in three dimensions, and our training should reflect and enhance this. We are not creatures of isolation, but creatures of integration. The clubbell teaches you to integrate your body with complex movement chains that are directly applicable to real world needs. This is exactly why I have incorporated it into my training programs. The clubbell teaches you how to apply whole-body strength through a broad range of highly technical, athletic movements.
It should also be noted that with the clubbell, you can strengthen full ranges of motion, not just partial-range, limited movements (like most pushing, pulling, and twisting exercises). Not only that, but the clubbell can be very light and yet still produce significant adaptive training effects through the use of momentum. With other weight lifting tools, you’ll need a heavier implement which places unnecessary strain on the joints and connective tissues, slowly eroding them over time. Instead, the clubbell strengthens your joints through traction and shock absorption.
You’re going to learn a lot about these unique advantages and more during the “Pros and Cons” section of the product review videos. First, let’s take a look at the clubbell equipment itself…
The Complete Clubbell Product Review (Part 1)
The Complete Clubbell Product Review (Part 2)
Clubbell Benefits to the User
You probably noticed a common theme in the review videos: versatility. I frequently mentioned that the clubbell has a very broad application and can be used for a variety of purposes. When you boil it down to its very essence, the clubbell is just an awkward, heavy object that is best used for strength training. That said, almost any goal that can be accomplished through strength training can also be accomplished with a clubbell.
There are over 140 different traditional clubbell exercises taught in the Encyclopedia of Clubbell Training. These are just the basic palette of clubbell exercises, and this covers all three planes of movement (sagittal, frontal, and transverse), and all six degrees of freedom (moving up/down, left/right, forwards/backwards, bending up/down, twisting left/right, and tilting left/right). Those 140 exercises serve as a springboard for creating combination routines and even brand new exercises, unlocking literally thousands of movement/exercise possibilities. You can use the clubbell for: straight sets, supersets, circuit sets, drop sets, pyramid training, grease-the-groove training, high intensity interval training (HIIT), high-density training, escalated-density training, combo training, hybrid training, movement-skill training, endurance training, strength-endurance training, max-strength training, and so much more. Again, the clubbell is just a tool, and you decide how you’ll use it based on your goals.
So, it should go without saying that the clubbell can serve a broad range of purposes and training goals, such as:
- Fat loss – The clubbell can be used to lose bodyfat, trim up your waist, and reveal your abs because most clubbell workouts naturally increase the strength of your metabolism and burn fat for hours after you’ve finished exercising. The clubbell is so well-suited for fat loss, that most users notice a decrease in bodyfat even when pursuing other goals.
- Muscle building – The clubbell can be used for systemic hypertrophy (building functional muscle all throughout the body). It won’t help you look like a bodybuilder, but you can build an imposing “hard-body” muscular physique – even in places you didn’t know you had muscles.
- Whole body, systemic strength and power development through full ranges of motion in sophisticated movements.
- Other fitness attribute development such as strength, endurance, power, coordination, balance, agility, etc.
- Improved joint mobility and stability, muscle flexibility, and connective tissue strength - reducing the risk of injury through pre-habilitation (aka concentrated injury prevention).
- Athletic performance enhancement for a broad range of sports and recreational activities.
- Improved grip strength, which is a proven marker for longevity.
- Improved posture during static (ie standing, sitting) and dynamic physical activity (ie running, jumping, lifting, throwing, etc.) through the 7 Key Components of Structure.
Those are the major areas of benefit. Obviously, all of the other benefits of exercise will also come along with clubbell use: higher energy levels, increased bone density, lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol numbers, improved cardiac and respiratory function, stronger metabolism, etc.
Why I Don’t Recommend These Other Similar Tools
So, now you know why I fully endorse and recommend the clubbell. Let me share with you some specific reasons why I do NOT recommend other similar tools…
- Indian Clubs – The smaller ones, though easier to maneuver around the body, are too light to create a substantial adaptive training effect for the whole body. The larger Indian clubs, though traditional, are too bulky to swing around the body during most exercises, and thus, have a very limited margin of use.
- Macebells – The macebell excels in a handful of exercises, but they are too long for versatile use, and thus, have a very limited exercise selection.
- Sledgehammers – These were never designed with exercise in mind. The awkward weight distribution of the sledgehammer makes swinging them difficult and limited to only the simplest movements (ie leverage holds and woodchoppers onto a tractor tire).
- Homemade concrete clubs and Plate-loaded versions – These are too risky to the user and surroundings, and encourage fear-reactivity during normal use. The chance of injury increases dramatically upon impact with one of these tools.
- Sand-filled or water-filled plastic and/or other bats – These are unstable tools that shift when lifted or swung, and can cause injury to user in the form of torn, strained, or pulled muscles, or even joint problems. Instability is a good quality in some training tools, but not when club swinging. Even in tightly packed tools, the weight distribution is usually unbalanced, awkward to handle, and creates unnecessary strain in the joints.
With the clubbell, you get a compact, safe tool that was designed specifically for exercise. That’s why I recommend you only invest in authentic clubbells.
John's Collection of Clubbells
John’s Advice to Prospective Buyers
I’m not a spender. I’m a penny-pincher. I don’t spend money without thoroughly evaluating a product for myself (especially when it’s expensive). I had to personally use a friends’ clubbell for months before I even bought my own. My first purchase was a pair of mini-clubbells that I spent a year using before I was fully convinced that it would be worth the investment to upgrade. It took me over 3 years to outfit my clubbell home gym because I only buy what I need and what I’ll use (and what I can afford!).
That said, clubbells have been one of the best investments in training equipment I’ve ever made. Even four years later, they have not grown old and I still use them for most of my strength and conditioning goals almost year round. Few of my training tools have received so much use.
If you’re looking for a quality club swinging tool, then I highly recommend you invest in the clubbell.
What Clubbell Weight Should I Start With?
Use the following guidelines to choose the most appropriate starting weight.
Poor Fitness Level – No training experience, recent rehabilitation from injuries, small build
Men – Pair of 10 lb clubbells, and/or a single 20 lb clubbell
Women – Pair of 5 lb clubbells, and/or a single 15 lb clubbell
Average Fitness Level – Some training experience, healthy, moderate build
Men – Pair of 15 lb clubbells, and/or a single 25 or 35 lb clubbell
Women – Pair of 10 lb clubbells, and/or a single 20 or 25 lb clubbell
Excellent Fitness Level – High training experience, healthy, large build, athletic background
Men – Pair of 20 or 25 lb clubbells, and/or a single 35 or 45 lb clubbell
Women – Pair of 15 lb clubbells, and/or a single 25 or 35 lb clubbell
Note: Most men start with a pair of 15′s and women start with a pair of 10′s. These are clubbell weights that most trainees will not outgrow – even after years of use. If you’re still undecided, then choosing the lower weight is usually the best option.
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CST, CST-KS, NSCA-CPT
Fitness Professional and Certified Clubbell Instructor
P.S. Please leave a comment below for questions or comments concerning the clubbell.
Hi John,
thanks for taking the time to give us such a comprehensive Clubbell review. :-)
Regarding Indian Clubs: I tried high quality wooden Indian Clubs. My coach trains physiotherapists in Indian Club Swinging for rehab and coordination improvemment. In my opinion (I am not an expert, only a trainee at beginner’s level)they are a very good complementary tool to the RMax Clubs: For rehab, for very deconditioned individuals, for improving coordination. Very demanding training. Obviously not for strength & conditioning but for movement sophistication and adressing suboptimal movement patterns.
It helps me to practice Clubbell exercises without fear reactivity because bad coordination, muscle imbalances, lack of mobility can be adressed before swinging serious heavy stuff. Not for the simple stuff like swings but if I do 15 lbs clubbell mills with bad movement patterns (SMA and what not), I may get punished. With a 3 or 5 lbs Indian Club I can practice skill, release muscle/fascia adhesions and improve movement patterns without risk of injury.
PT Gray Cook’s approach is: first correct movement patterns, then do the heavy S&C training. If you don’t, you won’t stay long in the NFL or whatever is your game.
Gray Cook’s experiences:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75-c_xYHZHQ
So I think Indian Clubs have a place in the world of Physical Living.
Hi Andrea, Yes, all tools have a best purpose and clear benefits, and I’m personally a fan of the Indian club for shoulder rehabilitation purposes (under the direction of a qualified PT). But regarding weight swinging tools for strength training, the clubbell is far superior. Maybe someday I’ll review some authentic Indian clubs, too.
Hi John,
Thanks for the great and comprehensive review – good work – I’m going to see your videos later when get back home, where the internet connection is more proper.
@Andrea: I’m physiotherapist and use clubbells to many of my clients – starting with 5lb to get movement in and bit by bit more heavy clubbells when movement pattern is learned and pain allows.
Henri
Physiotherapist
CST
IKSA/IUKL Kettlebell National club instructor
My pleasure, Henri.
Great work with videos!! – indeed!! Funny to think to whom has most benefits with clubbell-training? I think all of us, because there are no-other equipment which you got so much benefits in so tight package!
I normally teach people to use bodyweight-exercises first – then kettlebells and finally clubbells – why I do that?
1. For to learn to be functional, we don’t need extra equipments – just our body. Easiest to carry on ;-) and start with
2. In my experience: kettlebell (KB) is easier to learn at the beginning than clubbell (CB) – and that’s because of mass of gravity. KB is easier to handle.
3. When you manage to handle KB, you are ready to finalphase – THE CLUBBELL!!
Of course we all are different and some people want to start with CB at once or never. This is how I work in generally.
Well, i really like all the advantages of clubbel.
But I’m removing all the chances from get hurted working out, after 2 knee surgeries, one to reconstruct a torn ACL and the other was a meniscectomy, 15 days ago. And all that clubell swings makes me crazy! Imagine an 10 lbs clubell swinging to my knee!
That’s a crazy worry or I can hurt yourself really bad with it? Anyone knows someone that get hurt?
THanks!
I’m the newest fan of your website! Really good!
Hi Alexandre,
Yes, there is definitely some risk with clubbell use, as with any form of exercise. Used improperly, they can, in fact, be very dangerous. That’s why all of the instructional materials come with safety precautions and usage suggestions to minimize the risk.
To give you some perspective on the risk of impact…
I’ve been using clubbells almost year round since 2006. I’ve probably had 8-10 “accidents” where the clubbell has hit me – 2 or 3 times in the head while doing mills, and the rest were usually grazing my kneecaps from the sides during hammer swings or similar. In ALL cases, it was either a situation where I was extremely fatigued or I simply wasn’t paying attention to what I was doing (just going through the motions, and not being mindful). With the exception of a small bruise to my head, the impacts have never resulted in an injury.
That said, 99.9% of the time, you can avoid impact from exercising caution when progressing, and in being mindful (clubbells FORCE you to be mindful and focus 100% on what you’re doing). It’s that .1% of the time that you’ll thank Sonnon for the rubber exterior.
It’ll be awhile before you’re cleared by your doctor for exercise, so you’ve got some time to think it over. Once you’ve got clearance, the clubbell would be a great tool for strengthening those knees after your rehabilitation.
Thanks! (a little late, but better than never!)
I’ll talk to my doctor about it to strengthening the knees!
Thanks for the thorough review, John. I’ve been a bit unsure about whether I should invest in some clubbells for a while now but I finally took the dive today and ordered a pair of 10lb clubbells. Can’t wait to get started with them — they look like great fun! :)
You’re going to love them, Victoria!
Finally received them! John, do you have any opinion on “The Clubbell Training Black Book“? I’m thinking that it might be a good investment to make some time in the future. Also, if I wanted to implement clubbells into my training as simply as possible with minimal hassle, do you think it would be a good idea to practice the Mill, Swipe and Hammer Swing and work my way up to completing the Trial by Fire?
I haven’t reviewed the Black Book actually. I know both Adam Steer and Ryan Murdock pretty well, though, and they would only put out a good product.
Those three exercises complement each other very well, moving through all 6 degrees of freedom, and the TBF is a great benchmark to work up to. So, if you can do so with excellent technique and minimal discomfort, then I think that’s a good plan. If not, drop down a bit, and practice some less sophisticated exercises to groove the 7 Key Components (ie front swings, side pendulums, side semi’s).
Enjoy!
Dear John,
Sounds great, but how does one learn to use a Clubbell?
Apart from hiring a clubbell coach, there are a couple options…
The Encyclopedia of Clubbell Training is the most comprehensive educational resource currently available and will give you a fairly exhaustive overview of most of what clubbell training has to offer. Also see the Big Book of Clubbell Training and the accompanying DVD program if the Encyclopedia is a bit too much all at once.
I should also mention Shane Heins Clubbell Mass Evolution, which is a superb instructional product for those who are looking to build lean muscle mass.
You made me order some club bells in, I didn’t realize how many variations in training the club bell had too offer up until I read this review. Good job, john.
Glad to hear it Robyn!
Hi John,
This is good stuff. I’ve been researching clubbells for some time now. I always seem to find my way to Physicalliving.com. Your website is a staple for me. Thanks for the unbiased and objective information. Keep it coming.
I appreciate the kind words, Daniel – thanks for reading.
I realize this thread isn’t recent but here goes my clubbell question:
I’ve been doing circular strength training for about 6 months (intu-flow, flowfit and BER) and am really interested in clubbells. I started with CST due to shoulder problems from traditional functional strength training and have gotten great results so far, no 100 %, but 85% say. My question that I haven’t been able to google-Fu successfully is will someone get the results of clubbell training starting 2 handed with a 25 versus the 15′s. Basically it’s cheaper and I can afford to start there now, or wait longer to start with 15′s later.Thanks for a great site and resource.
Mike,
You can get a lot of mileage out of a single 25 lb clubbell. You won’t have quite the diversity of exercises with single clubbell training, but there’s more than enough to work with. That said, if you’re approaching this decision from a shoulder rehab perspective, then one option is to start with a much smaller clubbell instead. I started with a pair of 5 lb mini-clubbells myself – used them for a year before finally upgrading to 15′s. One more idea is some people will buy a single 15 lber, and then buy another one down the road to make a pair. It all depends on your priorities. Let me know if there’s any other way I can help you further, and thanks for reading!
Hi John,
Good video reviews of the ClubBell- your site is actually better than Sonnen’s and provides more info.
I do a lot of kettlebell work along with Functional Training workouts (following Coach Dos Remedios MHPT and CST programs)
I came across your video on Club Bells and was intrigued. I’m thinking if I buy some I need to get 2 x 15 lbs and 1 x 35Lb plus the encyclopedia so I can figure out how to use them.
But…that’s a lot of cash for a product I never tried. What do you recommend for a starter kit? My goal is to incorporate Club Bells into my kettlebell and weight training programs for variety. My primary interest in total body conditioning.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the kind words.
A pair of 15′s, a single 35, and the Encyclopedia would be an ideal all-around starter kit. I like the potential of having both a pair of lighter weights and a heavier single from the start, but your budget determines what you can afford.
A pair of 15′s will get you more total mileage than a single 35, and will help give you a taste of what clubbell training has to offer. So, I’d recommend a pair of 15′s first, along with some form of instructional material that intrigues you. The Encyclopedia is the most exhaustive, but there are other options that less expensive and still provide plenty of training material (ie Big Book of Clubbell Training, Clubbell Training For Circular Strength DVD, etc.).
That said, there are a LOT of free online instructional tutorials that are excellent, if you’re willing to look for them. I’ve seen great clubbell tutorials from Scott Sonnon, Adam Steer, Shane Heins, and others over the years. They’re out there if you’re patient enough to search for them. That might be reason enough to also invest in a heavier clubbell instead of a more expensive instructional program. It all depends on your preferences.
Let me know if you have any other questions. I’d be happy to help!
John,
This is a post for those thinking about buying clubbells who’ve never tried them.
Based on your recommendations and our email exchange, I ordered my clubbells and the Big Book of CB Training on Jan 1st and they arrived today (Jan 6th). It was a pleasant surprise since I didn’t really expect them for another week based on the site’s shipping FAQ.
The 15lb pair are pretty challenging – my choked up grip slips quite easily and right now I cannot imagine doing single hand swipes or casts with this weight. These feel HEAVY. The 35lb one is…well…sitting off in the corner for future use.
I would describe myself as moderately athletic and strong from free weight training and kettlebell lifting– I swing a 70lb KB with two hands for reps, a 44 for reps with 1 hand and can snatch a 53lb KB. But a 15lb clubbell snatch??? Not happening out of the box- the club would slip out and be embedded in my wall (or my head). If I purchased again, I might start with the 10s.
I start tomorrow with some single and two handed swing training. I plan to use Clubbells for metabolic conditioning and to complement my strength training. Having scanned the Big Book, I can see I’ll have many, many variations of exercises to choose from.
I’ll send periodic progress updates.
PS. I purchased from John’s affiliate link and he sent me a Swing tutorial video that is absolutely fantastic. I recommend you do the same if you decide to buy.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you liked the video. And wow, that was fast delivery!
you wrote:
“These feel HEAVY…If I purchased again, I might start with the 10s.”
I understand what you’re saying 100%, but I bet if you give it a few weeks, you won’t regret your decision. The 10′s would certainly be an easier transitional weight, but you would likely outgrow them in a matter of weeks. The 15′s will be a good weight indefinitely – you’ll never outgrow them.
What you’re experiencing is “new clubbell trainee syndrome” :)
They should and will feel exceptionally heavy because you’re not used to such an extreme leverage disadvantage. I imagine that your forearm muscles start screaming much sooner than you’d like. The good news is that if you work incrementally, I’m sure you’ll see some rapid initial gains in strength, especially grip strength, which is usually a beginner’s limiting factor.
In the mean time, you can try some vibration drills – shaking your body, and especially your arms and hands out in between each set. This will help flush out any toxic by-products that accumulate with fatigue. You’ll also want to make use of Intu-flow joint mobility and Prasara yoga to help you maximize your preparation and recovery. I’m not sure if you own any of those resources, but there are free tutorials available online if you search for them.
Enjoy!
I was shocked to find how much weaker my left arm was in circular strength training than my right arm! Using any other weight training device and system I never, in almost 20 years of lifting had a moment where I thought “wow! my left arm is weak!”. But clubs found weakness instantly, using 15′s. What do i do? Drop to 10s? 5s?? I’ve never been injured, it feels so weird. I do have 2lb wood Indian clubs and they aren’t an issue.
Nick, If it’s not an injury or mobility issue, and it’s strictly a strength deficit, then yes, the only option is to either a) choke up on the clubbell grip to decrease the leverage challenge, or b) use lighter clubbells. Good luck!
John, choking up helped a lot and allowed me to perform many of the 2 club sets with the 15′s. Ultimately though I had to buy a 10lb club for wrist casts and shoulder casts and mills with one hand. These are so deceptively heavy it isn’t funny. I’ve been lifting all my life. I said before and I’ll say it again, it’s like starting over.
I did also recently pick up “tacfit commando” and Sonnon’s flow yoga material. He’s all around the best fit instructor I’ve seen on retail media. No club coaches near me, sucks.
Clubbell update- a year later
After using my clubbells for a year, here are some results:
1. I added a 20 and 25 lb clubbell.
2. I can do many more exercises with the 35lb clubbell that I could barely hold onto when I got it a year ago. These include overhead swings, giant side circles, side swings, front swings, presses and more.
3. My core strength has become…phenomenal. I never had this before.
4. Grip strength has vastly increased.
5. Hips, legs, back, shoulders all stronger with increased mobility and endurance.
6. I could buy a few more clubbells to have matched sets, but I haven’t found this necessary other than my starter pair of 15s.. I do a number of asymmetrical exercises such as swings holding a 20 and 25 clubbell plus a few different single hand exercises.
I still visit this site periodically for updates and have added 30 minutes of daily mobility drills based on John’s advice and his interview with Scott Sonnen (I bought the IntuFlow book for direction on this). I consider the mobility drills as a warm up and believe it has increased my mobility and have helped with injury prevention.
For me, the clubbell purchase was worth it. I use them several times a week and they’ve helped my body to work as a complete unit.
In my home gym, which I now consider ideal I have: Olympic weight set, power rack and bench, pullup bar and rings, kettlebells, clubbells, some rubber tubing, a medicine ball, some heavy rope and a homemade dragging sled. Life is good.
Thanks again John for the guidance and inspiration.
Hi
I am thinking of investing in some clubbells and wanted to know do they bulk your upper body up. I don’t want to end up with huge forearms! I really want to strengthen my arms and upper body if I used the mini clubbell 5kg would that still be of benefit.
Thanks
Hi Lydia,
The short answer is that, no, clubbell training will not make you bulk up. It would take a very concentrated effort, along with a tailored nutritional program to even create a possibility for that – not to mention some powerful drugs. I’m very confident telling you that there’s nothing to worry about, and I would highly encourage you to take up clubbell training if it interests you. Don’t let an unfounded fear hold you up…
F alse
E vidence
A ppearing
R eal
This question has come up frequently, so I’ll provide a deeper explanation in a future Q+A article.
Absolutely correct John – very few women are able to build large muscle mass – certainly without deliberately trying – and doing so hard.
The high leverage and fluid movement for clubbell training make them very suitable for targetting low mass strength growth – used correctly they will build the small muscles and encourage the techniques that will help a person develop strength and lift safely.
Bottom line is if you don’t want to get too bulky – don’t lift very heavy weights don’t load your diet and you won’t, even if wish to and do you do I’d cite the example of a young woman I did some personal training for a few years back – her friends teased her for the beautiful muscle shape she developed in her arms – and then all promptly joined gyms.
Exactly, Ed. It’s really a non-issue. Clubbells are great for building full-body strength, and women are highly unlikely to bulk up – from ANY strength training and especially clubbell training. For those interested, see here for more info:
Why Women Don’t Bulk Up From Strength Training
http://physicalliving.com/strength-training-for-women-why-women-dont-bulk-up-from-strength-training/
I will never get it – this weird fear of “bulking up” in some women. Women can’t get huge muscles like men because they just have not enough testosterone. I can do the hardest weight training and I will get strong but I will never look like Randy Couture or Silvester Stallone. Not gonna happen. Without medication, doping etc my muscles will get as big as their are supposed to be – genetically. Not more.
The problem is that most “slim” women look pityfully anorectic (atrophied muscles aka skinny fat) because they don’t use their muscles. “Normal” woman in our sick society are either skinny fat or obese. I always avoid being “normal”, because healthy, intelligent, strong people are not “normal” in US and Western Europe.
Hi,
I’m sure you know your stuff, and congratulations on managing to talk for that length of time on camera – that is more than I could have done!
I can see that you are passionate about this product, but I am not convinced.
The nature of my work involves to name just a few: wielding a chainsaw at all levels and angles, splitting logs with an axe/splitter, cutting wood with a bow saw, digging with a bar, pick, mattock, spade and shovel, breaking rocks with a sledgehammer, rope access drilling work – working from a rope/harness, tree climbing, plastering, dry stone walling, etc…
My work is physical and demanding, and luckily I enjoy most of it!
In my spare time I frequently weight train, some bodybuilding – but for personal gain not competition. I am proud to say I am all natural (drug free) and am proud of my core strength and really strong grip – I can shoulder shrug 250 kg’s on a 2 inch bar for 3 x 15 reps without wrist straps – just grip. I’m not a show off, I train to keep my mind and body focused and active.
I have tried to use kettlebells, but have not found them to be any different than a lot of what I do at work (Try holding an 8kg back handle chainsaw at arms length all day and you’ll know what I mean! ;) ), and therefore no benefit to my training regime.
I often ‘Challenge’ workmates to a duel – be it lifting a sledgehammer slowly through the full range of motion of your wrist, with arm extended, or pushing a wheelbarrow half loaded with one hand!
And I’ve long been looking for a training aid that would complement my routines, and improve my core strength as well as wrist and grip strength.
Unfortunately, I feel disappointed with the review of your product – I felt you concentrated too much on such insignificances such as the benefit of having rubber coating? I mean come on, are you just trying to make the video as long as possible? Rubberised, padded, I get it – move on. I have to admit – and I hate to sound insulting here, but I lost interest completely.
Granted, not everbody works in the same line of work as me, and so may well feel the benefits of this product, and for them I am pleased. Do they make altered versions? Perhaps a thicker grip for increased grip strength? Or longer and more top heavy perhaps?
As a final note – you do look very good at using the clubbell, so please accept this as a compliment – and positive criticism not negative. :)
Hi Pat,
Thanks for your message and the kind words. I can relate with you, having spent nearly a decade as a landscaper – even owning my own business. Almost everything we did was labor-intensive, but the stone walls and ponds were among the most physically challenging. I still remember installing 3 retaining walls at a local school. The first one was 24 feet high, and 130 feet long. We were using 91-pound pre-cut concrete pavers. 91 lbs is nothing for the first few hundred blocks (repetitions of deadlift from pallette, carry to wall, shimmy into place). But around 2-3pm in the sun, they start getting heavy :-)
I’ve always had an appreciation for this quote:
“Why do strong arms fatigue themselves with frivolous dumbbells? To dig a vineyard is worthier exercise for men.” -Marcus Valerius
To answer your question – the heavier clubbells have thicker grips (the heavier the CB, the thicker the grip) and they are longer – and there are ultra-heavy versions. Even the 45 lb clubbells will be enough of a challenge for the strongest of men. Remember, the force production is based on leverage disadvantage AND compounded by momentum from swinging. So, even a light weight can produce a huge amount of force. In other words, the 45 pounder can be swung to create the equivalent of hundreds of pounds of force.
However, if that’s not enough, there is the 80 lb “challenge” clubbell, and I may have even seen some heavier ones, too. You should probably know that while I’ve seen a few people perform feats of strength with the 80 (ie only simple exercises such as the two-handed power clean to “order” position), I don’t know of anyone who uses one regularly in their training. It’s just too heavy, even for the strongest strongmen.
To clarify though, they aren’t merely a grip strength tool, but a tool for integrating full body strength – something you have to do naturally in your line of work. The clubbell could help you refine this and integrate your wrist and grip strength with your core strength in many different movements.
My suggestion: buy a 45 lb clubbell to get a taste for weight swinging. Or, just move on and keep doing what you enjoy. I love clubbell training, and think you would be missing out, but probably not that much. Even though they are an excellent tool for a variety of purposes, they’re still not for everyone.
Thanks again, and let me know if you have any further questions.
Ouch… the shipping costs are pretty painful…! Isn’t there any other option?
Jerry,
Sometimes clubbells pop up on ebay, but shipping costs will always be high for heavier packages, especially with rising fuel costs. The homemade versions can be an affordable option, but there are some definite drawbacks as I noted in the review.
It’s not as bad as it could be though. The price of clubbells has actually come down quite a bit since I bought my first set. They used to be a lot more expensive than they are now.
John,
Regarding the broken bolt on one of your clubbells: an “easy-out” is probably what you need to remove the stud from the end of the clubbell.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_i_1?rh=k%3Aeasy+out%2Ci%3Aindustrial&keywords=easy+out&ie=UTF8&qid=1307228006
Maybe I even have one the right size already! Bring my grandson and the broken clubbell over and we’ll see if we can get that stud out.
Love,
Dad
Thanks. Will do, Dad.
Hi John
Just a quick question!
I’ve found somewhere to buy some clubbells in the uk but they only stock 6kg and 8kg pairs, I know you recommend a set of 15 lbs to start so which one to go for?
Planning on using them for mass evolution having just done tacfit warrior for 8 weeks.
Thanks in advance
Hard to say, Rob. If you have extensive strength training experience then I’d lean towards the 8kg, otherwise stick with the 6kg (especially if you haven’t used clubbells before).
Hey John,
I bought KettleBells through your affiliate link, and sadly haven’t given them much use. I’m thinking of getting a pair of ClubBells now (hoping they prove to be more fun). Shane Heins recommends starting with 10lbs. Do you agree with that for a man? I weight 185lbs, ride a mountain bikes, but don’t do much else. (Heck I even bought the pullup bar through your affiliate line too.) I’ve been doing pullups, but can only do about 3 at a time. So 10lbs or 15lbs pairs for me?
If money isn’t an issue, then go ahead and get the 10′s first. That would be ideal, and will help you ease into the transition to weight swinging. I started with a pair of 5 lb mini-clubbells and used them for a year before upgrading to 10′s and 15′s. That said, a pair of 15′s is probably the best investment you could make for long-term training. They will definitely be challenging in the beginning, but after a few weeks, they should feel manageable. And you’ll never truly outgrow a pair of 15′s.
P.S. Thanks for the support, John. It keeps this website going!
P.P.S. If you’re looking for fun ways to use the kettlebells (I get bored with the traditional lifts, too, sometimes), then take a look at this KB workout I did not too long ago:
http://physicalliving.com/14-minutes-of-continuous-kettlebell-practice/
You can also look into Sonnon’s TACFIT Kettlebell program. I didn’t review it here, but have used the program myself – good stuff, and definitely unconventional as far as kettlebell training goes.
Hey John,
Ordered through you, and sent you my receipt. Unfortunately I have not heard back from you for a while. I fear you just haven’t gotten it, and I was hoping to get your article since I have already received my clubbells.
Thanks,
John
Finally got in contact with you, and got the video with the tips. Thanks for that. Time for me to get to work! (I feel like I have a long way to go)
Thanks for your patience, John. I think I’ve got my tech issues figured out now.
Hey John,
I wish I found this page sooner. I think I purchased a set of bogus 15lb clubbells on Amazon which were advertising Scott Sonan’s name. Once I got the clubs the features seemed completely wrong. I returned to the site to research further and found that they are Apollo brand clubs. Are these affiliated with Scott? I tried the emails at rmaxi intl but they’re shut down. The merchant is using his name to sell a full range of club weights.
I’m pretty bummed for my first pair of clubs, to say the least. Though they are 15 lbs, the similarities end there.
I’m sorry to hear that, Nick. I don’t think Apollo is associated with Sonnon, and they’re probably very different in design. I’ve seen a few knock-off versions over the years, and wouldn’t trust them myself. A lot of thought and testing went into the authentic clubbells, and I’ve found them to be a superior training product to any other weight swinging implement. That trust is enough for me. Worst case scenario, you can always return them (Amazon is usually pretty hassle-free), and invest in the real ones. Good luck!
I now have a real pair of 15lb clubs, what a difference. They’re longer, and so more of a challenge. The grip, coating, everything is top notch. Amazon is all over this other vendor now from my complaints. They’re real good about managing merchants, I hope this doesn’t happen to anyone else.
Yea I’m doing that. Scott needs to know they’re using his name though. That’s messed up. If you do a Amazon search for his name those clubs come up and they use his name in the title description, but in the body fine print they do disclose the clubs are Apollo. Dirty.
Excellent Presentation John. Few have done such a comprehensive introduction. I’ll refer!
Have to check out your 7 key components to the front swing sometime. Always always can learn more.
in strength, sweat, spirit,
Joe
hi john,
i have been asked what do i want for xmas and i remembered indian clubs. after researching, i believe they are too light. i then found club bells and subsequently this web page. i have been working with kettlebells for the last 4 yrs. on a good day, i can snatch 55 lb kbell 100 reps each arm. can you recommend what i should start with regarding club bells?
Hey Gino,
Most men start with a pair of 15′s, but if you’re feeling burly, a pair of 20′s might fit the bill. I usually recommend erring on the lighter side since clubbells are deceptively challenging – even the measly 15′s. I’ve known more than a few people who bought too big and regretted it.
My recommendation: a pair of 15′s as first priority, and then either a single 25 or 35 lb clubbell for two-handed training.
Been using these for only a month or so, but I’m very impressed – I’ve used conventional weights and kettlebells for a fair few years but find the clubbells the best all round training tool for hand strength I’ve used – better even than hand grippers the excellent powerball.
Glad to hear it, Ed. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for posting this review, it helped me decide on which ones to buy. As a beginner, I going to buy 2 15lbs CBs and go from there.
Aloha!
I am looking to get a pair of 15s but the website says they are out of stock… I am in a Middle Ages full contact sport and I think this workout would be perfect in increasing motion and forearm strength for me.