Olympic Chi Ishi

Modern Exercise science is just now relearning what martial arts masters have known for centuries, extending the weight beyond the hand greatly increases the difficulty and benefit of weight training.

This is a chi ishi (pronounced chi-she) and it is a integral component of traditional Okinawan martial arts. The use of extra weights was called Hojo Undo, or supplementary exercises, and used many unique and effective training tools. Originally, these were made by attaching a handle to a rock. Later chi ishis were made using concrete. Concrete was much easier to work with, but there was still a major problem; once your strength increased you had to make a brand new chi ishi. Now, with the use of modern interchangeable weight plates you can have a chi ishi that will remain a challenge no matter how much you train.

This handle accepts Olympic-sized 2" weight plates. The bottom 12" is 1.5" in diameter to provide a comfortable grip. Simply slip the plate down the handle until it rests on the attached weight stop on the end. Then use the spring collar to keep it in place. Add as much or as little weight as you want.

Chi Ishi like training tools show up in almost every martial arts tradition because they are great ways to build grip and wrist strength for striking. While chi ishi training is mostly done by Goju Ryu and Uechi Ryu nowadays, it was once common to every karate style. Similar tools are also common to Kung Fu and Indian martial arts.

In the box: 1 handle (24")

1 spring collar

Weight plate not included.

Please contact me if you have any questions. The chi ishi handle is part of a whole line Hojo Undo equipment I make including an standard-weight sized chi ishi handle, nigiri game (gripping jars), makiwara (striking posts), kongoken (weighted oval), and tetsutabla. There are virtually no suppliers of these items so I'm happy to do my part.