TACFIT Clubbells vs CST Clubbells - Complete Product Review

The short version of the TACFIT clubbells review: Don't buy TACFIT Clubbells. Buy the original CST Clubbells.

For more information, check out the full clubbell product review at the link above.

[lawrencebradschupp]

Thanks John, great review. Lots of good info to help with the purchasing decision.
A review of the Onnit ClubBells would be much appreciated. Thanks again, keep up the great work.

[bradleynickerson]

That was scary to watch, you can definitely tell on the slow mo video that your grip slides up the shaft of the club ever so slightly when you are in the back position of the mill and that must have compromised your grip and then it went flying. I have a 12kg Tacfit club and I agree that the knurling is way to fine to provide a good grip. I reserve it for two handed work which most Tacfit protocols use. I just compared the size of the knurling on the CST clubs and tacfit club and the CST club has a significantly coarser knurling which seems to make it grip much easier. Glad to see no one got hurt in the process. Cheers,
Brad

[neoliberalfm]

finally! everyone was buzzed when the new tacfit clubbells came in but the price wasn't the only thing that put me off them. It wasnt the grip so much for me, but they had a horrible 'feel' which I thought would go away with use, but it never did. For me the weight distribution is out. The cst all have a thin handle and are 'top heavy' so parks feel pleasing, a nice balance. the tacfit clubs however felt too narrow and all one weight - I dont get a 'sense' of the end of the club.maybe the issue?

[FlaviusdelaMancha]

Thanks for the reply. I'm sure Mr. Sonnon will do something about the grip safety of the tacfit clubbells. I made a good choice choosing the CST clubbells. They are amazing. Have a great day.

[FlaviusdelaMancha]

Hi, Mr. Sifferman have you expressed your concern about the safety issues of the tacfit clubbells to Scott Sonnon? Have you showed him this video? I use the CST clubbells and they are awesome .

[Martin-nuym]

"Hey Mark! I haven't seen this particular grip texture on any of the CST Clubbells. However, I did once see a much rougher texture on a CST clubbell that was purchased sometime last year. Ripping of the skin would have been a much bigger issue with that one."

My pair of  CST 15s have that grip and it definitely rips the skin more and one of the clubs was not as constructed as well as the other which further disappointed me.  I much prefer my pair of CST 20s.  I want a pair of the CST 25s but I would prefer the crinkle paper grip over the cross hatch grip.  Have the grips on the CST Clubbells improved since the 2012 model change?  

[kevinjleighton]

Hey John, Great review! I have been wondering about the differences between to the two for a while now. Do you remember the grip on my CST clubs when we worked together last Feb? I'm wondering if the grip is the same.

[balboa]

Thanks for the comprehensive review. I have several sets of Clubbells I purchased a few years ago (produced by Torque Athletic) and they have stood the test of time. If the need arises, I'll stick with the original design. You referenced in the open, Clubbells have some limitations. As someone who is also knowledgeable on Kettlebell training, are there any specific KB exercises (using that tool) you could recommend as being uniquely beneficial to someone who primarily trains using CBs?

[KhoVang]

In my opinion, the problem is also at the knob. The TACFIT has smaller knob and the angle where it meets the grip is too small, making it easier to slip out of your hand. I have a home made clubbell with a totally smooth steel handle, and although it becomes slippery with sweat, it never flies out of my hand due to the big end knob shaped like a baseball bat knob. However, it is harder to hold it vertically with the barrel up, your grip will slide up to the barrel.

[Brndndutton]

Thank you for your review. Definitely good to know. I LOVE my CST clubbells & will stick with those for sure.

[ForgedinFlamesBand]

I'll admit I'm not very familiar with clubbell training (I use kettlebells primarily) Have you considered using lifting chalk with clubbell training to reduce the possibility of slipping? For us if the hands get sweaty and the potential for slipping becomes an issue that's what we do

[kevinjleighton]

I love them on most days. I do use chalk when it is very humid and also used it at the CST cert., but most of the time it is not needed. Skin has not been to bad either. Other than the grip, is there a different feel when swinging the tacfit club?

[woglaka]

Have a set of 5kg Tacfit Clubs that have a plastic coating that is peeling off the metal of the cone and barrel, very strange. Grip confirmation is an issue with these clubs along with the price. Is it true that any new CST clubs have the same grip as the Tacfit clubs while keeping the same knob?

[neoliberalfm]

its hard to explain... with the CST clubbells, if I swing them up into order position, I definitely feel the uneven weight distribution, almost like a spinning a plate on top of a stick, it 'feels' more like a club, the top heavy design means my grip has to change to stop it dead, it gives me more feedback . with the tacfit clubbells I just felt like I was holding two long sticks which bent my wrists, there is less weight up top and its more evenly distributed, so I get very little feedback

[VladimirKelman]

I think it's pretty obvious that a smooth surface (of a classic clubbell) gives a better grip - it's just a law of Physics. You know how two very smooth surfaces come to a very close contact, kind of glue together?

[Max]

What's that music at around 14:30, during your work out?