Seniors and Mini Clubbells

[Kettlebellgirl]

I want to send some of my seniors clients the Mini Clubbell direction.

The problem is Xtension is way too fast for them. They really need some basic SLOW stuff.
Can anyone suggest a DVD for me to use?

I almost think the Clubbell DVD would be better for them than Xtension.
Or maybe just use the Xtension poster, and don't even show them the DVD?
Is Ageless mobility the way to go?
The thing is I got two guys that have their hearts set on clubbells.
It's so cute, just not sure what to do.

Lauri

[Joseph David]

Lauri,
For seniors you must first teach them the movements unloaded so they can refine the techniques before loading the 7 key components. Start out with the basic skills before putting them into combination routines. Component learning is incremental, honor that progression and positive adaptation will result.
A senior Clubbell DVD sounds like a good product.
:)

[Coach Bentz]

A tip I picked up from Coach Gostnell is to use wooden dowels (think broomhandles the size of a mini clubbell). I saw her senior clients using them to great effect.

It's pretty close to unloaded, and they have something to grip as they're learning the movement.

[Joseph David]

A tip I picked up from Coach Gostnell is to use wooden dowels (think broomhandles the size of a mini Clubbell®). I saw her senior clients using them to great effect.

It's pretty close to unloaded, and they have something to grip as they're learning the movement.

Awesome Idea. Most harware stores have shortie handles

[Kettlebellgirl]

couple of questions
which exercises are best to start out?????
Someone please spell out for me what are these broom handles used for???
So I can ask someone at the store......
Thanks guys.
Lauri

[Coach Gostnell]

Hi Laurie,
I picked out my own pieces of dowel - as big a diameter as I could find, though still smaller than that of a mini - then cut them to the length of the mini (sanded off any rough edges).

In my Tuesday class, we do the Xtension work close to how it's presented on the DVD - the only change is we do mills with just one CB & switching hands - and we do Rock-its, parry casts and a few Iron Crosses just for yucks.

Here's deal though: Everyone sets their own pace. I've really hammered this along with RPD. What we shoot for is a set of 10, then a set of five, but the older woman in the class doesn't worry about keeping up the pace or doing that number of reps.

Also, the class is just once a week and she never does any of this stuff the rest of the time. Nonetheless, she started with using only the dowels, then moved up to the minis for part of the exercises, and now goes through all the exercises with only the minis. What she's working on now is reducing the amount of choke. It shows what can happen when someone trains consistently even if not that often. She's been at it a couple years with the class & I trust her to judge best what she needs to be doing.

Your people don't have to keep the pace set on the DVD - the great thing about the DVD is that it teaches and reinforces proper form for those particular exercises which are all designed to complement each other, so that might have advantages over choosing "potluck" from the Clubbell® DVD.

Ageless Mobility® is great too, of course, but if your guys have their hearts set on swinging Clubbells, how can they be denied? :) And if they actually practice more than once a week, they may not only be able to keep up sooner rather than later but be graduating from the 5s to 10s before you know it!

[Kettlebellgirl]

Thanks that was very helpful. I'll get the dowels and get them started.
Thanks Jeanne and Everyone!
Lauri

[Ryan Murdock]

Jeanne,

There's definitely an article in that. ;)

Excellent work.

[Coach Gostnell]

Jeanne,

There's definitely an article in that.

Not that you're cracking the whip or anything, eh Coach? (WHEN will I learn!! ;))