Anthony LaPorta Jr
I am very pleased to introduce Anthony LaPorta Jr, a personal trainer and a great fan of Indian Clubs, Clubbells and Mace. He looks after professional fighters to HS athletes, the general population, and medical exercise clients with Parkinson’s, MS and other major issues.
When did you start swinging Indian Clubs?
Anthony LaPorta Jr:- I found 12oz wood Indian Clubs from Motion RX with a VHS of Dr Ed Thomas around 2009. I then purchased a 1#/ 2# pair combo set of plastic ones. Surprisingly I won a beautiful 14oz wood pair at a 2-day course led by Dr Ed Thomas, Brett Jones and hosted by Phil Scarito.
Indian Clubs led me to Scott Sonnon and his clubbells. That led me to Mace training via Rik Brown. I completed a 2-day course with Rik in the of Summer 2016. I now own 3# and 5# pairs of mini clubs from RMAX International via Scott Sonnon, plus his entire set of clubbells. I own Steel Maces from Onnit – 7, 10, 15, 20 & 25#.
Anthony LaPorta Jr club and mace collection
What sparked your interest in Indian Club Swinging?
Anthony LaPorta Jr:- I am a personal trainer since 2004 and completed a 2yr degree in physical therapy with clinical rotations in 2010. I first started using Indian Clubs to rehab my shoulder post surgery from a fully torn rotator cuff, from boxing, + 180° degree torn labrum, separated AC joint, and resection of the clavicle.
Can you explain why you enjoy Indian Club exercise?
Anthony LaPorta Jr:- I find the benefits are amazing and combine mental and physical, moving meditation and even spiritual. I also believe they contribute to long-term mental health and can prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Plus, I know Indian Clubs are a tool and form of exercise where I can continue to show improvement versus decline as I go from my 40’s to my 90’s and beyond 100 yrs young!
Do you swing Indian Clubs one or two-handed?
Anthony LaPorta Jr:- Indian clubs I swing 1 handed and the heavier clubbells I swing both 1 and 2 handed, the same holds true for my mace training.
If you were to be cast away alone on a desert island, which pair of Indian Clubs would you choose to have with you?
Anthony LaPorta Jr:- The 14oz pair I won are beautiful and have a nice feel. I would probably invest in something truly artistic to take to the island. However, for performance and a weapon, I would probably take my 10# steel mace. lol
What are the characteristics of your favourite Indian Clubs?
Anthony LaPorta Jr: I need to try a wider variety of clubs, but I prefer a slightly thinner club for the more complicated crossing movements. However, not a traditional IC, the 3# mini clubs from RMAX are a perfect size and weight and grip for me to do long sets of complicated 2 clubs at once.
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Do you teach or plan to teach Indian Club swinging?
Anthony LaPorta Jr:- Yes, I incorporate Indian Clubs, Mace, and Steel Clubs with all my clients, from professional fighters to HS athletes, the general population, and even my medical exercise clients with Parkinson’s MS and other major issues.
What are the benefits of Club swinging?
Anthony LaPorta Jr:- Unparalleled in the wrist, elbow, shoulder mobility, stability and endurance simultaneously plus agility, timing, neurological training, and let’s face it, they = FUN!
How do you combine Indian Clubs with other training?
Anthony LaPorta Jr:- Personally, I use them as a warm-up or even in between sets, as well as separately in workouts for recovery and mobility. I also have taken 1 club on walks and made various patterns while walking, wonderful mentally, physically and spiritually. In fact, using the clubs out in nature is my favourite – parks, woods, & beaches.
How would you describe Indian Clubs to a friend who has no idea how Indian Clubs are used or what they are for?
Anthony LaPorta Jr:- We perform a wide variety of circular patterns with a light club to improve shoulder, elbow, wrist and thoracic mobility, plus they aid and speed recovery.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Anthony LaPorta Jr:- I would like to thank you, Paul and many others in this wonderful community of Indian Club practitioners who share freely a wealth of information on tools that have become a must-have for me personally and in my training business.
