The mace, or Gada as it is known in India, is a strength and conditioning tool still widely used in wrestling gyms (Akhara) by the Pehlwani wrestlers.

Traditionally, the Gada is made from a bamboo stick set in concrete.

Gada swinging competitions where participants perform the maximum number of repetitions of the 10-to-2 exercise within a specific time frame are still popular with the Pehlwani wrestlers.

In recent years, the mace (also referred to as a macebell or steel mace) has become popular around the World.

Jake Shannon, a strength and conditioning coach from the US was the first westerner to popularize mace training outside of India, he introduced the mace to his wrestlers and they embraced it.

The steel mace is used by many people, including but not limited to;

  • Martial artists
  • Rugby players
  • Cricket players
  • Tennis players
  • Kettlebell enthusiasts
  • And many more people wanting real world functional strength.

The Anatomy Of A Steel Mace

The mace holds nearly it’s entire weight in the mace head, which creates an uneven and very challenging leverage disadvantage.

This leverage disadvantage is what makes the mace totally unique, and after swinging the mace no other fitness tool will ever feel the same.

When starting we recommend you begin with a lighter weight until you’re familiar with the movements, correct technique and offset weight distribution of the mace.

If you’d like to give mace training a go, we have maces available for sale on our online store.

Dan Clay
Dangerously Fit Academy