Tony Cecchine and Clubbells

[Michael Brown]

I am obviously long since sold on the utility of clubbells for combat sports conditioning.

I am curious though (I know there are several folks here who know or train with Tony Cecchine so they might have an answer), I read an article where he criticized several means of training including kettlebells, olympic lifting and odd object lifting. It seemed by the tone of the article that he was clearly in the camp of traditional heavy lifting with barbells and dumbells.

I notice that he endorses clubbells. I certainly think clubbells fall into the catagory of odd objects.

Anybody know what caused this change of heart?

I ask only because his program seems interesting but I will not pay for anyone's material that seems to flit from concept to concept. Or more importantly if there is an underlying reason for the endorsement.

The other issue I am curious about is why he doesn't compete. He seems like a perfect candidate for competition in submission grappling or MMA. Anyone know?

I don't know the man and he seems have a good system but every martial artist has likely been fooled before. These are issues that have peaked my curiosity and made me a little skeptical but I am far more interested in answers than I am in being skeptical.

If anyone knows the answers I'd like to know. I am interested but am getting too old to hit everyone's seminars or buy anyone's stuff for the heck of it. :lol:

Thanks in advance.

Michael Brown

[Scott Sonnon]

Michael,

You'll have to ask Tony about his training. His website is www.catchwrestle.com. I know he learned old heavy Indian Club lifting from his strength coach, Radwan, so he never had a "change of heart" when he encountered the Clubbell. It was for him the most superior production quality.

[Scott Sonnon]

I wanted to add that Tony does not compete due to a life-threatening prohibitive medical condition. Because he does not appreciate this being discussed, those who know this situation, do not post private information in this regards.

[Vbrown]

My understanding of Tony's position (which could be wrong, btw) is that many people look for the next big thing to magically transform them.

Essentially, he likes a very solid base of GPP before one even thinks about moving on to SPP. Too many people flit from one thing to another rather than just digging in and doing hard work.

As for competition, I think many people sleep better at night knowing that they won't be facing him. He's quite possibley one of the most driven and focused human beings I've ever meet. And I don't think he has and "off" button.

FWIW,

Vince

[Scott Sonnon]

Despite his health conditions, he recently (from what he stated) established the world's record for most number of pushups in one minute (for his weight class.) The number eludes me.

Vince, dead on.

[Vbrown]

Thanks Coach.

Re: pushups. I don't know what his number is now, but a number of years ago I was there counting when he did 134 in 60 seconds. At 220lbs. I thought he was going to die, but instead, he went faster.

Pushups....swinging clubs for 10 minutes straight....somedays I just feel like a piker!

Regards to all,

Vince

[Mike]

Despite his health conditions, he recently (from what he stated) established the world's record for most number of pushups in one minute (for his weight class.) The number eludes me.

Vince, dead on.

Doesn't he also hold the official record for the barbell curl too?