Found this really informative history of Indian Clubs on Wikipedia and wanted to share with you…

Indian clubs belong to a category of exercise (and juggling) equipment that was popular in the late 19th and early 20th century in Europe, the British Commonwealth and the United States. They comprise bowling-pin shaped wooden “clubs” of varying sizes and weights, which are swung in certain patterns as part of an exercise program. They can range from a few pounds each, up to special clubs that can weigh as much as 50 pounds. They were used in carefully choreographed routines where the clubs were swung in unison by a group of exercisers, led by an instructor in the front, similar to modern aerobics classes. The routines varied according to the group’s ability and the weight of the clubs used.

An Indian Pehelwan (wrestler) training with clubs circa 1973
Indian clubs derive their name from the much larger and heavier objects of similar shape traditionally used by martial artists and Kushti wrestlers in India to train for strength. The practice of swinging such clubs to develop physical fitness was first introduced to England by British soldiers who had studied the discipline while stationed in India during the 1800s.

Carte de visite of Sim D. Kehoe, who brought Indian clubs to the United States from England
They were exceptionally popular during the health craze of the late Victorian era, used by military cadets and well-heeled ladies alike, and even appeared as a gymnastic event in the 1904 and 1932 Olympics. Gymnasiums were built just to cater to club exercise groups. The popularity of the Indian Club waned in the 1920s and 1930s as organized sports became more popular. Regimented exercise routines, like those requiring Indian clubs, were relegated to professional athletes and the military, who had access to more effective and modern strength training equipment.
While torches and other sticklike objects have been used in juggling for centuries, the modern juggling club was inspired by the Indian club, which was first repurposed for juggling by DeWitt Cook in the 1800s.

Of all ironies, I have been diagnosed with degenerative shoulder arthritis in my right shoulder. My name is Chris Aguilar, and I am one of the two producers who helped Jack create the Surf Clubs video. Over the last month, I have had to come under the care of the clubs and from time to time will be giving you updates on →

Here is a video showing my condition as of 6/21/2010 and my use of the clubs. Yea, my form sucks, watching it back really helps me to see the mistakes I make when swinging the clubs!