Until the funds arrive: Clubbell substitute

[Scott Sonnon]

There is no substitute for the commercial grade quality Clubbell. However, until the funds arrive, some people experiment with homemade substitutes.

I cannot endorse anyone's homebrew concoctions for many obvious legal reasons, though I did want to apprise you of one of the forum member's webpage on how to construct a homemade Clubbell substitute.
http://www.geocities.com/fightraining/klub.html

I do support making Circular Strength Training more accessible to people and the 'filled bat' is about the least dangerous (all homemade inventions were/are to some degree) I used before making the Clubbell.

[rbibbs]

I have a 'funds' problem too. Until I could budget Clubbells, I used similarly-weighted handweights and moved them in circles and ellipses instead of linear arcs. It trains several muscle sets at once, and builds coordinated strength in joints. (The user is on his own, as to the safety and applicability of such devised exercises.)

[zebra]

I too have made a few plastic bat versions of clubbells. One set is filled with play sand and weighs about 8 lbs apiece. Another set was filled with 12.5 lbs of lead shot and play sand. Those weigh about 17 lbs each.

To make them from the plastic bats I cut a 3/4 circle in the knob end, peeled it back like a flap and used a small funnel to pour the sand or shot/sand into the bats. After tamping each as tight as I could get them I poured liberal amounts of glue down into the handle until it stopped being absorbed. I sealed each flap with super glue and duct tape then two layers of athletic tape around the handles.

After using them for a few months I concluded that they are a somewhat successful - and low cost - substitute to try out the clubbell concept to see if it is worth the investment. It took me only 3-4 workouts to determine I liked the concept.

However, due to the geometry of the plastic bats if anyone builds the home made version using the plastic bats you should be aware that most of the weight is at the END of the bat and the handling is DIFFERENT than the real clubbell. Remember that safety is your responsibility if you choose this approach.

After trying out the real thing at the Arnold I concluded the handling of the real clubbell is superb compared to the plastic bat. I now have a pair of 15# and will get larger versions when the shoulders are ready.

If you want to make some to try out the clubbells workouts on a small budget do so. However, get the real ones as soon as you can.

[rbibbs]

A caution: The hollow plastic bat wasn't designed as an interior-load-bearing shell. Structural weaknesses could result in the contents separating from the shell while in use. You might want to only use these outdoors, and not swing them in the direction of anything valuable.

[Randell Waddell]

Scott suggested this PM be posted here for general viewing:
.................................................. .................................................. .
Morning Scott,

I noted your thread re clubbell alternatives.

Please find attached one of the designs for a type of PVC clubbell I
utilized prior to getting the real things. (The PVC solvent / glue utilized
should be allowed to dry for at least 24 hours before the implement is
used.) The screw thread at the top allows the clubbell to filled the
different materials such as sand initially then progressively refilling with
heavier weights such as lead fishing sinkers. Another advantage is that the
clubbell's moment arm (or centre of mass) can be varied quite easily by
choice and placement of fill utilized.

Please note that I encourage people to support your efforts and buy the real thing - that is why I have bought so many for our crew.

The design is offered as a safer alternative to the bastardisation of
things not designed to carry the loads as Rick highlights.

I fear however, that many people may make these alternatives and may choose not to take the extra steps of buying the real things.

Hope you and your darlings are all well.
.................................................. ....................................

If you are interested in considering an example of such a design, you might consider emailing Scott for the afore mentioned attachment. I do not feel comfortable just putting it out there - I would also ask you to consider that Nikolay and Scott provide us continually with cutting edge material, and this access is somewhat dependant upon us all supporting them by purchasing the real thing.

Personally, I never use the alternatives anymore unless I don't have enough for my people when we train - the real thing is so much better to use.

Cheers
Randell :D

[JasonE]

I am experimenting with the designs at the link provided by Scott, and I will give yours a go too, Randall.

While relatively cheap to make, the substitutes aren't even remotely close to being the tools my real CBs are. However, they will be reasonably sufficient for me to loan out to some interested parties, without having to worry about whether I get them back or not. I have made a few in the 5-10 pound range, and just one 18-pounder for me to play with. :?

I have been using thin high-density foam to add some impact resistance and to permit the otherwise round-ended bats to stand upright. :idea:

Yesterday I noticed that the bats without the foam can be stood upright in one of those plastic racks used to hold 2-liter Pepsi bottles. I plan to experiment with using 2-liter pop bottles as a sleeve over the ends of the bats, to give structural support and greater standing stability. :idea:

When I have my CST Epsilon registration paid off, I plan to acquire more of the real CBs for future group workouts, as there's nothing like the real thing.

[JasonE]

Anyone reading this thread with intentions of making substitutes at home, please also read this follow-up thread:

Further Discussion of Clubbell Substitutes (http://circularstrengthmag.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=14194#14194)

Thanks! Be SAFE!

[alchemycal_monkey]

has anyone used an aluminum bat instead of plastic?

[Jay76]

The only way I could afford my clubs was to sell my Kettlebells, Pavel would not be to happy :shock: :o

[bill cogswell]

I tried some "alternatives" to Clubbells my friend made and they don't come close to Clubbells as far as I'm concerned. In fact when he tried one of my Clubbells he was amazed at the difference (in a positive way) between the Clubbells and the ones he made. He had one made of a thick plastic bat filled with sand and he made the PVC type filled with lead shot.

[Connie Brown]

Nope sorry, no aluminum bat. I did a different route way back then - instead of filling a bat, I wrapped a bat with fishing lead, the kind that comes in 1-lb coils, and secured it all with wads and wads o duct tape. ( I always like to use duct tape in such projects.) It looks truly craptacular.

However, now, after having had the real things, I wouldn't bother. Instead I would scrape together the money for just 1 CB of the size I want. Selling old books, video games, DVDs, or equipment, skimming off grocery money, stuff like that. Or, if I really couldn't wait at all, maybe I'd get a sledgehammer for some tire whacking. I would NOT use anything but a CB in the CB swinging patterns. Come to think of it, I take it back - I wouldn't even spend the money on a hammer if it could go to another CB. They are the best kind of investment spending.

[JasonE]

My old orange plastic Frankenstein CB substitutes have become third-rate dust collectors. I've got a slew of them in various weights (matched sets, of course :wink:) but haven't touched them for a long while. Now that I'd like more of my garage space back, I'm considering what to do with them.

I could:

(A) Empty them out carefully and dispose of the components.
(B) Keep them intact and dispose of them.
(C) Smash them to bits with a real CB and dispose of the wreckage.
(D) Give them away to people looking for hideous doorstops.
(E) Something else, but what?

Anyone have some creative suggestions not listed above?

The various components used in them are:

Plastic bats
Pop bottles
Rice
Sand
Tire weights
Lots of duct tape

[wiggy1]

Got a boat?

They would make great anchors :D

Or how about a nice windchime? Just don't stand under them when the wind blows too hard :P

[JasonE]

Y'know, I suppose I could use them as weights for sled-dragging or stair-running or something else. Hmmm...

[Coach Gostnell]

Sell them on E-Bay...

...as, as ballast for underweight skydivers! Yeah, that's it. (I do have a tiny friend who had to load her pockets w/ rock when she went skydiving.)

[alchemycal_monkey]

in an age where everyone is hawking slickness and ease i seek methods to make exercise harder-not easier. Primitive methods and modes blast the body into submision and theres nothing like a dangerous primitive tool than a homemade clubbell... off balance do it yourself and ready to fall apart over your head!

a lead shot filled aluminum bat is looking real alluring and appeals to my adventure seeking monkey mind. :twisted:

[stickfighter]

The real problem with Aluminum bats is that they are not "completely" hollow. Every several inches there is a "wall" that is designed to stiffen/reinforce the cylindrical shape and effectively creates several "chambers" within the bat. Accordingly, you can't get any substantial amount of weight into one. The best you you'll be able to manage is an overall weight of 2lbs., maybe a few ozs. more. Considering that the average Aluminum bat already weighs about 1-1/4 lbs. from the factory, you're not really going to get a lot of bang for your buck or effort. If you insist on doing this, make sure that you seal the feed-hole you create with a self tapping metal screw. Cause' buddy, epoxy and duct tape just aint gonna' cut it on the Aluminum!!

CAVEAT EMPTOR!!

My suggestion, save some money and get a clubbell.

[Randell Waddell]

<Smile>

When you get the real thing in your hot little hands, you will berate yourself for not having got the real thing in the first place.

Remember - it costs us out here, in the rest of the world, often as much in postage as it does for the clubbells, and no-one I know out here - paying possibly twice as much as you would or more - regrets getting the real things.

Cheers
Randell. :D

[Connie Brown]

theres nothing like a dangerous primitive tool than a homemade Clubbell®... off balance do it yourself and ready to fall apart over your head!

a lead shot filled aluminum bat is looking real alluring and appeals to my adventure seeking monkey mind. :twisted:
speaking of monkey mind....

that's the kind of thinking that might win you a place on the Darwin Awards.

Heavy weight, sudden shifts, missiles and trajectories and the human body.... there's primitive and then there's perma-rehab.

[Travis McHugh]

Before I could afford my 15#ers, I made 2 - 10 pound "clubs" out of aluminum t-ball bats (they are hollow). I drilled a hole in the end of the barrel, filled it with lead shot, filled any space left in the end with expanding foam insulation and capped and taped the end. I, also, wrapped the handle with pipe insulation and athletic tape to thicken the grip. It cost about $30 to make.

They were very solid and the duct tape on the cap has not budged in well-over a year. I am thrilled to have my 2 - 15 pound clubs and am working on getting 25's, but I am also glad I tried my home-mades to ensure this was the direction I wanted to go before dropping the cash.

I made one for a co-worker who was so impressed by the sophistication of the workout he recently purchased a pair of 15# clubs. This is a guy who goes to the gym and "works out" every day.

With homemade "clubs" understand you will be experiencing a crude facsimile of the real thing and will only be getting a taste of the great experience that awaits you when you purchase the real thing.

[JasonE]

in an age where everyone is hawking slickness and ease i seek methods to make exercise harder-not easier. Primitive methods and modes blast the body into submision and theres nothing like a dangerous primitive tool than a homemade Clubbell®... off balance do it yourself and ready to fall apart over your head!

a lead shot filled aluminum bat is looking real alluring and appeals to my adventure seeking monkey mind

My creations looked real alluring too, until I started using them. The feeling of a heavy weight arcing off the expected angle because the filling shifted in flight SUCKS. I've had to bail out pretty fast to avoid a rotator cuff tear, and I've smacked myself pretty hard in the head, legs and near my spine too... all because the filling would shift when I didn't expect it. Sounds funny until it happens, and then it's just painful and dangerous.

When you're at any kind of speed, and especially when starting out, there is NO WAY to compensate for the sudden change in vector. Anyone using home-made CB substitutes really needs to go at a slower pace and pay a LOT of attention to any changes within their implement.

With a real CB, you can work at any speed you have the skill to handle without fear of unexpected changes that will destroy what you've taken such care to build up. The ability to work at higher speed is the key to high-intensity training which results in the fastest possible strength and endurance gains.

Still want to work with a Frankenstein?

[alchemycal_monkey]

I don't have any big problem with buying the real thing if i am sure that thats the way I want to go.

I'm just noy convinced yet.... dont know alot about it and havn't tried it out yet.

If there are some open source free exercises that are on this board or in the magazine perhaps all i would need to do is use a sledge hammer or even just a crow bar or concrete form stake just to go thru the motions for a week to see i this is for me....

I like what I have read so far and can't imagine not digging it.... I just want to try it out for a while first.

Plus I do some weapons training anyway with digging bars and sledges so I will most likely love to get a hold of a 15# -20 # club and train with that too.... theres nothing like a well made tool/weapon.


any good links to threads or articles for a beginner to the theory and exercises would be much appreciated.

[Scott Sonnon]

There are more free examples, articles, photos and video clips in CST Magazine than in any other in existence.

[alchemycal_monkey]

I will have to start reading the clubbell articles now.... so far I have been really enjoying and getting alot from the theory, practical advice and bodyweight stuff.

I have read some on kettlebells elsewhere and wonder what you all prefer and why.... what advantages has one over the other?

Just from an inexperienced evaluation I think I would enjoy the clubs more as I have a martial leaning and these are certainly more martial than the kettles.... I had thot the kettles to be more traditional .... tried and tested as the clubs are a new thing but then said wait! the club has got to be one of the first weapons.... how much more ancient and traditional can I get..... but anyway ... I would like input from people who use or have used both.

[JasonE]

Check the "Articles" link in my signature and you will find it easier to locate some articles to get started with. :D

You will find that many people here have also used Kettlebells, and many still do. They are complementary in many ways.

[KEVIN TEAGLE]

I used to swing my guitar around in circles but all it did was clip my ankles and began to feedback.

Kevin