In his writings and lectures, Dr. Ed Thomas reinforces the importance of progression, variety and precision in all physical training including club swinging. He suggests that even strong, athletic and fit individuals first practice with a one-pound club. For joint integrity, mobility and efficiency, no more than three pounds will ever be needed. Thomas has studied many forms of club swinging for over fifty-five years, and he is a highly respected professor of movement and exercise science. The skills on his video are captivating, but watching him swing clubs in real life is difficult to describe and quite amazing. Unfortunately, he tends to be somewhat reclusive, guarded and cryptic with his knowledge. A student once asked him how many repetitions of each movement a club swinger should be able to do. Dr. Thomas replied, “One perfect repetition should be your goal, and you will train a lifetime in search of it.” For those determined to practice with heavy clubs, Dr. Thomas recommends careful self-analysis and attention to the mechanical principles governing the shoulder girdle, elbow, wrist and other areas of the body used during club swinging. “Natures laws are immutable,” He frequently writes. “Ignore them, and you will surely suffer the consequences.”
