Indian Clubs, Swing Bells as they are also called were introduced to America in the 1800’s. They are made out of wood and resemble bowling pins or juggling clubs. They come in different sizes and weights depending on your experience, strength and your objective. You can use them for rehab or for strength gains and raw power. The club is the oldest and most ancient of all weapons. When we think of pre-historic man we immediately think of the brawny caveman dragging his weapon of choice the club.
The club evolved into a highly sophisticated martial arts weapon used world wide by most ancient cultures at one time or another. Many cultures used the club not only for fighting but also to strengthen the warriors’ body. Modern Club Swinging has its roots in India and Persia, what is modern day Iran and Iraq. In the late 18th century the British that occupied India were amazed by the strength and power of Indian slaves and Police Officers.
You will find mention to clubs in numerous religions. In the Old Testament Cain murdered his brother Abel with a club. The Greek/Roman mythological Demi-God Hercules worshiped for his power and strength was known for his skills with the bow and arrow and the club. In India the club or Gada as they call it is a symbol of invincibility and physical power. Almost every God or Goddess in the Hindu religion is pictured holding a Gada.
Sim D. Kehoe produced the first clubs in the USA and was also the person most responsible for the growth of Club Swinging in America at the end of the 19th century. In the late 19th century a movement called “Muscular Christianity” popularized Club Swinging. This movement linked physical training to moral and spiritual development. They were also popularized by strong man acts, professional wrestlers and athletes from around the world. Indian clubs were indorsed by American Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Teddy Roosevelt and by Queen Victoria of England. Club Swinging was so popular as a means of fitness and sport that a series of Club Swinging tobacco cards (similar to baseball cards) were printed.
Club Swinging became an Olympic sport it was called “Rhythmic Gymnastics” in the St. Louis Olympics of 1904 in which the Americans won all of the divisions. It continued in the Olympics until the 1932 Los Angels Olympics in which the Americans won all of the divisions again. Club Swinging was once practiced in many colleges, gymnasiums, the military and in social clubs throughout America. It was a very popular women’s activity in primary through secondary schools. Many colleges and girls clubs had competition and demonstration teams. In fact just recently I met Irene Bergman a reporter for the Miami Herald that performed and did demonstrations with Indian Clubs as a young lady in Jr. High for her girls club. Yet, this wasn’t just for girls most gyms and PE programs had Indian Clubs for boys so that they could develop into masculine strong young men.
I would like to thank Dr. Ed Thomas since the information that I used to write this article came from the knowledge that I acquired from his DVD, articles and web site. My website was also a featured web site in his web site www.ihpra.org, the Iowa Health and Physical Readiness Alliance. I would also like to thank his brother Dick Thomas for producing the Indian Club DVD and the Indian Clubs that we have at our training center. He also sent me photos of the wall mounts of early 1900’s gyms. This enabled us to mount our clubs in the way of the old gyms. Dr. Ed and Dick are modern day Sim Kohoe bringing back this ancient art now when we need it the most. We at Anta’s Fitness and Self Defense will march along with them in an effort to instruct our youth in Club Swinging to help them develop a sound mind and a sound body. So as you can see “What is Old is New Again” and as the holy bible says there is nothing new under the sun. Personal training is one of the fastest growing professions and today’s modern chrome plated fixed machine health clubs are growing in leaps and bonds yet we have the highest rate of obesity in our history. Why not give the functional workout methods of our grandparents and great grandparents who were fit and lean a try.
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