Indian Club Swinging
Jack Gillen was hooked on Indian Club swinging the first time he tried it back in early 2000. After immediately experiencing the healing of a chronic shoulder injury, Jack loaded sets of clubs into his truck and drove around the Big Island sharing them with family and friends. Most scoffed, but a few with major shoulder problems embraced and benefited from the clubs. Some of these early clients were fellow surfers and paddlers who had not seen the water in some time due to their injuries. Through using the clubs, they were restored to their prime condition and were able to re-enter the water stronger then before.
Since then, the clubs have gone on to help all sorts of athletes and non-athletes from many different walks of life. The current list of Wave Chi clients include:
- Golfers
- Surfers
- Tennis Players
- Prone and Stand Up Paddlers
- Office Workers
- Baseball Players
- Canoe Paddlers
- Swimmers
And even dancers and other individuals where range of motion is an essential part of their activities.
The ancient art of Indian Club swinging was popularized in America in the late 1800′s and early 1900′s and faded slowly over time being utilized by a select group of martial artists and mixed martial art fighters. Over the past ten years, the clubs have become slowly re-popularized through the work of many individuals, like Jack, who have first hand experienced their unique benefits. The clubs use gravity and controlled traction to provide support and strengthening to the shoulder girdle and other hard to exercise regions of the back, neck and shoulders. They provide flexibility training, strength training and range of motion training all in one motion. Currently the clubs are used in the military, martial arts studios and other specialized types of training.
The benefits of the clubs go beyond just muscles and chronic pain. But to the mind. Studies have shown the repetitive motion exercises like the clubs can help to “fine tune ” the brain and create a mediative experience. The clubs help people to train their brains on eye hand coordination and it has been proven that the circular exercises in the workouts help to attune brain functions. Thus, working out with the clubs helps body, spirit and brain!
Club swinging is a “go anywhere” exercise. All you need is your set of clubs, and an open space to do the workout. Jack himself takes the clubs to the beach or other places around the Big Island with his iPod and simply starts swinging the clubs. The ability to leave the house and enjoy the outdoors while exercising your mind and body is a tremendous benefit and one of the things that current clients enjoy the most about the using the clubs.
Indian Club Swinging has benefits for all people in all walks of life – whether you have a shoulder injury or not, whether you are a professional athlete or not. The clubs are a range of motion exercise that benefits all facets of an individual’s life- body, mind and spirit.
Go to our storefront, to purchase the clubs and our DVD as well as other Wave Chi products.
