Travelling with Clubbells

[Ryan Murdock]

What solutions have members devised for flying with their clubbells?? I'm thinking ahead for CST Eta :wink:

[JasonE]

I use a wheeled bag and strap them to the bottom of it. Due to weight, you may need to pack them separately to avoid excess weight charges.

Be sure to distribute the weight evenly and use a bag with solid wheels. I broke a wheel off one of my largest bags and it became very unwieldy. :roll:

[Mike]

I would pack them near the top of your bag WITH the manual just in case they do check your bags they won't think you're some psycho going to kill someone with a 15 lb. club!!

[JasonE]

Don't try to keep them in a carry-on. :wink:

[Ryan Murdock]

Thanks for the ideas gents.

No carry-on? Whattd'ya mean? :lol:

[JasonE]

I just bought myself a new bag to replace the one I broke hauling Clubbells home from CST Epsilon. It's made by High Sierra, the official bag supplier of the U.S. Ski Team.

I chose the High Sierra 36" Drop Bottom Wheeled Duffel because it was designed for hauling snowboards and other heavy gear, in addition to loads of clothes and other "normal stuff". The wheels are heavy-duty, and the handle used for wheeling it around is well-made and locks both in and out.

Here's a link to one site (among many, I got mine on clearance in a store) that carries this brand:

http://www.ebags.com/products/index.cfm?modelID=17335&BrandStore_Link=11_Details_17335

The bag I got is made from a microsuede material that looks different, but the overall design and construction is nearly the same as what you see here. This bag can be wheeled, carried like a duffel, or worn as a backpack.

One of my favorite features is the drop-bottom. Running the length of the bag (the site has a pic of this you can click to see), the drop bottom is large enough for a couple of Clubbells and has straps to keep them in place. Of course, you can put lots more stuff in there, too. The drop-bottom is normally a separate pocket from the main cavity, but you can open an internal flap for one extra-roomy storage space. The small outside pockets are just plain handy.

I'll be taking this on a trip next week and will have some Clubbells with me. :) I'll report back with a performance review when I return.

[JasonE]

If anybody else has a bag they like for hauling CST gear, please post it here. Thanks! :D

[Coach Gostnell]

I wind up dragging the clubbells around a lot - in and out of the house, the gym, the office so I found a duffel-style bag, with wheels & retractable handle that's long enough to hold the longer Clubbells, at Big Lots. It's reasonably heavy nylon or some such, but also soft-sided, so I stood it on end, put a sturdy cardboard box that just fits in the bottom so the clubbells don't weigh down the end and drag on the ground when I wheel it, at least until I come up with something else. I can envision a lightweight framework in there to hold them securely but am still looking for what that might be. Possibly something involving velcro.
The bag may not last forever but the PRICE! - $9.99!

[vyvial]

golf club hard cases are pretty inexpensive and work well for lot's of equipment

[Roger Siggs]

I teach fencing and historical swordplay, so I'm carrying a lot of swords with me all over- when Itravel I take a hardshell golf case. Big and roomy, but without much extra weight (carrying the clubbells and swords already puts me over the limit most trips.)

Roger Siggs
Tattershall School of Defence

[cbeltrante]

UnderArmour has a backpack for baseball bats that I think clubbells would fit perfectly in. Of course you can only take two ,but it's cool. Here's the link:

http://www.underarmour.com/ua2/ua/detail.asp?dept_id=75&pf_id=080493&mscssid=TVU44W64NU1E9P2JVHM2FRNSB1XP986B 8)

[Scott Sonnon]

:shock: :twisted:
http://www2.underarmour.com/images/product_large/080493black.jpg

[cbeltrante]

I definitely will have one of these backpacks by the time of the next seminar on the East Coast!!! :wink: 8)

[WarpedMind]

After the Epsilon CST experience, it was time to fly home. The security guys at Kennedy are a trip.

Me, I put my two 15s in my largest suitcase along with clothes. The clothes kept them from moving around.

Naturally, while inspecting the luggage, they wanted to know what these were. So guess what. Clubbell demo time.

Fresh from the seminar, I was ready to go with them. After they passed them around, holding and swinging them like bats and the whole nine yeards, I did a bunch of different exercises. They were amazed that something only 15 pounds could feel so heavy. Then they were amazed with what some chubby little guy could do with two of them.

All in all, it was a good experience... except the guys thought that somehow they deserved a big tip for helping me with my luggage. (Apparently the big tip I gave them wasn't enough. Typical.)

Oh by the way, don't even think about carrying on a clubbell or kettlebell onto the plane. Since 9-11, it's next to impossible. They say that these implements can be used as weapons... though I'd say that the average joe would rather use something much lighter to wield.

[JasonE]

I am back from my trip, and am happy to report that the wheeled duffle I mentioned earlier performed with flying colors! :D

It can easily handle over 70 pounds, though the straps in the lower compartment were set a little too far apart for me to have more than one over the CB at any time. I just packed my footwear and some other stuff in with it and all was well. In case of a bag search, I packed the OCS Manual with it and had no troubles.

For anyone going to a warm beach soon, I highly recommend bringing your CB along. It felt amazing to do Swipes and Mills on the beach, with sun beating down and cool water coming up to meet my feet. :D

[WarpedMind]

I'm sorry I missed it, Eric... where did you go? You mentioned the beach... did you come to Florida and not give me a shout? :evil: I would've worked out at the beach with ya!

[JasonE]

Tom -

Sorry I forgot tp give you a shout! My beach time was all in the Fort Myers area. If you live around there, I'll definitely drop you a note next time I come down. (Gotta be sneaky though, I was warned not to make a bunch of CST plans before my GF and I flew down. :wink: )

[JTCluck]

Resurrecting an old thread to discuss travelling with the mini-clubs.

I am looking for suggestions on how to pack them.

I am on an assignment that has me on the road quite a bit. I thought the mini-clubs would be perfect for a little exercise in the hotel. I packed one in my usual bag (soft-sided). Because of its size, it fit great so no issue there.

However, because of how the baggage handlers throw the bags around, it arrived with the knob shattered. :( I am looking for suggestions.

I still have the box that they came in so that may work but it is likely too long for my bag.

[Scott Sonnon]

Joe,

I pack my mini-Clubbells with the knob end stuffed in my sneakers, and the laces tied together.

[Escort]

ADVICE FOR TRAVELLING WITH CLUBBELLS:

Expensive Baggage vs. Inexpensive Baggage?

Any high quality luggage for clubbells is worth the price; and added features, such as sturdy wheels, dolly handles, back-pack straps, and heavy-duty canvas or nylon are worth the cost.

Cheap baggage and even mid-priced baggage is also a good option, because you can always wrap your CB's with the same clothes that you will be carrying. HOWEVER; the weak point on these is ALWAYS the carrying straps that are usually sewn on without reenforcement studs are something similar. I have "baby carryed" my CB's on these type of bags, only to have them ripped off by baggage handlers. To avoid this you can strap them down (straps) with duct tape or several turns of masking tape. You might even make your own carrying straps with a bit of ingenuity.

Shattered Knobs? Take them off and secure them well so they do not get lost. On most standard 26" long duffel bags, it will also give you the critical clearance that you may need. Cross them in these type of bags, whether paired or single.

As I mentioned on a "Carrying Clubbells to Mexico" post; do not attempt to carry Mini-Clubbells on any flight, foreign or domestic.

Hope this helps; and I am also definitely going to check out the ski-type luggage that I just read about on this forum.

Thanks,

[Coach Gostnell]

Was just in Costco this weekend: They had a great, heavy-duty bag for softball players that would be just right for cbs. Long, skinny, good handles. No wheels though. :(

[Coach Flanagan]

Me and Patrick recently picked on baseball bat carrying bags on wheels at a sporting goods store- "Premier Baseball Bag" by Power Bolt . Only downside is not much roomy interior but thats no big deal anyway if you're trying to keep it under 50 lbs so you can check it hassel-free.

[Escort]

Jeanne,

Can you tell me the name brand of that particular item? We have Costco's in Mexico, but they sometimes carry different brands.

Thanks,

[Coach Gostnell]

Luis, if I caught the name, I don't remember. It was right next to the golf bags though. Seems like they were around 20 bucks.

Sean, if the price is right on that "Premier Baseball Bag", I might just shop for one of those, especially if it comes with sturdy handles and/or carry strap. Thanks for the tip.

[shadow]

i haven't actually travelled with them yet....

but i had a bag made out of hemp specifically to carry my bokken and jo for back in the days when i did aikido.... i'm gonna use that when i do travel with them :)

[Coach Flanagan]

Jeanne,

It ran me about 44 bucks over at Di ck's sporting goods. If you're just bringing your 5's and your 10's, it should be a perfect fit

p.s Thanks Connie! :wink:

[Connie Brown]

If you put a space between the letters you can get past the censor.

[JTCluck]

All,

Thanks for all of the replies and ideas. I especially like the sneakers idea since I don't have to buy new luggage.

I find the miniclubs well-suited for business travel. They are small, lightweight (relatively speaking) and I can get a decent workout right there in my hotel room. The only drawback is that I have to check a bag -- something I normally avoid.

[Connie Brown]

I'm with you, Joe. Traveling with the CBs is the only reason I went back to checking a bag. And now, I find I really like the convenience of not having a carry-on as I wedge myself into the cabin with the rest of my fellow travelers as we are allotted 2 more inches of cubic space than the slaves had in the Big Crossing.

Plus the advantage of taking the CB with me is ... oh okay, I'll say it... priceless. Because when I'm traveling it's usually a heightened stress-filled affair - family or exciting business - and having the best, most time-friendly exercise in the world helps balance that out.

[Coach Gostnell]

and having the best, most time-friendly exercise in the world helps balance that out.
Yep.

Plus, just having them along helps motivate me to not abandon all my good habits just cuz I'm on a trip, which used to be a big problem when I took off somewhere for more than a day or two.

[JasonE]

I find that simply having my UGS along is a good motivator too. Slip them on and any suitable open space becomes a playground for Body-Flow. :) I wear them all day at work, and simply slip a stretched-out pair of Clarks loafers over them when outdoors.

For those carrying CBs in your checked luggage, I can't recommend a bag with heavy-duty wheels strongly enough.