The Gada

The Gada, a long mace made of wood or metal is today one of the most obscure training tools in the western world. Maybe a consequence of the eternal strife between its philosophy and the East’s perspectives, its usage is, however, and without a shadow of doubt, a challenging but immensely fruitful path towards proper physical conditioning and overall mental health.

Having an intrinsic pedigree of a weapon made for battle, for thousands of years, war maces and hammers did more than bulgeon and dent shields or skulls. Even when they were employed with that purpose, their swinging inherently propped up its respective wielders into a fitness standard all of its own. Their inherent effectiveness often translated into structural simplicity, and as such, it became common to spot simpler versions made of a simple bamboo stick with a stone at one end.

One of its undisputed great banners of effectiveness will always be the grappling master Ghulam Mohammad Baksh Butt, better known as The Great Gama. He was an early 20^th century wrestler from India that went undefeated all throughout his 50-year long career. Known also for his religiously applied diet and training regimen, he was also adept at using the Gada and maces in general for physical conditioning.

His feats of strength are unmatched, and some even became the stuff of legends. He also trained regularly with his Gar Nal, a circular stone ring weighing around 95 Kg worn around the neck, and it was said by many that at one point he was able to lift a 1200 Kg stone in some form off the ground.

ORIGINS AND ANCIENT HISTORY

Their origins as a tool for physical training and exercise are not exactly ‘pinpoiteable’ as of yet, even if their history as weapons is well documented and pre-dates these more peaceful purposes.

Even so, both purposes complement each other, and its ethos is certainly at home in India. This region has a very long-standing tradition of physical activity as a source of well-being both in body and mind.

The mace’s importance was even recognized by Alexander The Great of Macedonia in his writings (4^th century BC). He referenced their impact in battle and their value in training the fierce Hindu warriors.

These brave men used the training Gada in its simplest form, a weighted pole. In the image of their prized deity Hanuman, a monkey-faced human-hybrid who used the mace as a tool of power, the ancient people made their own the strength of the god, who was said to be able to lift the Himalayas.

The Gada, named after a powerful demon (Asura) of Hindu mythology that was capable of great destruction as it was of great good, was also the weapon of Vishnu, another deity, responsible for upholding the protection of the Universe.

This practice had therefore been grounded there for thousands of years before any far-flung people from the other side of the horizon could even take notice of its positive effects. It’s quoted in great Sanskrit epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, and its brutality was much of the reason why it was both feared by opponents and treasured by locals for centuries.

Later on in Europe’s and the Near East’s Medieval periods, they started to make a solid comeback in warfare. At the time, the evolution of armor plating had overrun the technology of the ubiquitously used sword and its relatives. And so, there were only two options: To be precise and strike the seems between the plating, or to override its effectiveness completely with raw power. Hence, the war mace returned to the spotlight, as did its benefits in wielding it.

A 17th century silver and gold Gada from the Indo-Persian region (Met Museum)

MODERN HISTORY

The spread of mace and club training arrived in the Western world mostly in the 19^th century by British influence. In the circa 3 centuries that the British ruled in the East with help of the East India company, the prevalence of the so-called “Indian clubs” and Gada’s was certainly widespread in many strata of society, and their health benefits soon became clear to those who were stationed in the sub-continent. Hence, and under the identity of Circular Strength Training, mainly clubs were soon integrated into Britain’s physical education system, as well as the army.

In 1862 they had taken hold in the U.S.A. through the hand of Simon “Sim” Kehoe, gymnastics tools and apparatus manufacturer. Through means of some of his trips abroad, when in Britain he witnessed the importance the clubs had, specifically in professions and occupations where physical standards were a need, like wrestlers, army troopers, police officers, amongst others.

Following the steps laid out by club enthusiasm in the early 1900s in the western world, the Steel Mace, child of the Great Indian Gada, is taking its rightful place at the side of more prolific training and fitness tools.

A modern version of the Indian Gada, made of steel (Athletics, G. O. G.; 2018)

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Generally weighing up to 30-35 Kg, maces are swung in singles. Many of their predecessors and relatives vary greatly in shape and weight, which in turn influences the ergonomics of moving them.

Gada-yuddha, meaning Mace training, stimulates joint mobility greatly and when in regular use may help correct postural vices or even structural dysmorphia.

Our torsos are also intensely engaged when faced with these unconventional patterns of movement. The unproportional distribution of weight in these long objects and their accelerating nature when in motion give our cores a sure “run for their money”.

The 360º back swing is a fundamental of Gada/Mace training (McKay, K. B.; 2020)

Also noteworthy is this tool’s importance in safeguarding the shoulder joint. These, being the most mobile in our bodies, are in consequence the most prone to injury. As such, the mace is often prescribed as a rehabilitation tool for shoulder chronic pain. This a symptom of modern age habits and a consequence of today’s society’s addiction to static movement and sedentarity.

Regarding musculature, strength will be certainly added on given enough progression. Not only on the shoulder girdle but also the forearm and hands by stimulating the constant necessity for gripping.

EFFICIENCY VS GROWTH

Circular mace exercises are self-limiting physical activities, since they naturally dictate a restriction in progression, if not properly adapted to a practitioner’s stage in growth and abilities.

This type of physical activity is today criminally ignored and forgotten by the so-called fans of fitness and health optimization, in favor of more linear machine exercises that deprive the athlete of the ability to secure the functionality of motion and its applicability into the readiness of our bodies to face any “curveball” that might be thrown at them.

The ‘Flowing Dutchman’ is today one of Mace Training’s most famous proponents and often posts interesting videos or explicative posts regarding the tool and its intricacies

The problem with today’s fitness modus operandi manifests precisely in many of these “safe” apparatuses that remove every stress vector on the body except the downward pushing resistance. The focus becomes centered around linear movement and aesthetics, and as such calories get burned off to sculpt the body, but functional strength and adaptability are sacrificed.

It is a matter of balance: The more efficient the tool is, the less work the body needs to make to compensate.

«Thereʼs a fundamental problem with this notion of “muscle training.” Muscles do not act independently but in concert. If we hope to be prepared for the demands of life and sport, we must train movements, not muscles.» (Murdock, R., Steer, A.; 2009)

BRAIN AND MINDFULNESS

The human system has the ability to adapt in two different but completing ways. Firstly by adapting its hardware (body), and secondly its software (mind, proprioception, and motor control).

Performing circular complex movements in repetition and alternating motion schemes is a proven valuable resource when it comes to offering our brains a motor control challenge. These patterns will help in fortifying our adaptability to unforeseen stress and in staving off or minimizing muscular, joint, and soft tissue damage, as well as building neurological agility and preventing degenerative central nervous system ailments, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

The repeating circular motions and the challenge of balancing an object with such an offset center of gravity can also help place our brains in a quasi meditative state of mindfulness. The focus on constance of movement allows for the erosion of overthinking and diminished sensation of stress.

«When you ‘flow’ with a steel mace, your mind is only focused on the movement. Everything else fades away, clearing the mind of stress and peripheral desires.» (Coleman S.; 2020)

SOURCES:

Articles, Reports, and Books:

Beatty, S., & Ryckman, S. (2018). Steel Mace Flow^TM, Student Manual – Level 1. Le Savage.

Imai K., Nakajima H. (2009) Exercise and Nervous System. In: Kamkim A., Kiseleva I. (eds) Mechanosensitivity of the Nervous System. Mechanosensitivity in Cells and Tissues, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8716-5_14

Murdock, R., & Steer, A. (2009–2010). The Clubbell Training Black Book (1st ed.). Ryan Murdock and Adam Steer.

Onnit Academy, C.S.C.S., & Hyson, S. (2021). The Beginner’s Guide to The Steel Mace – Primal Training for Power, Strength, and Balance. Onnit Academy.

Websites:

A. (2018, April 6). Video: Ancient Hindu Warrior Mace Training | Hindu History. Hindu History |. http://www.hinduhistory.info/video-ancient-hindu-warrior-mace-training/

Athletics, G. O. G. (2018, November 12). Styles Of Mace Training – Grit Over Gift Athletics. Medium. https://medium.com/@gritovergift/styles-of-mace-training-8e3c09c2b267

Cline, P. (2021, March 4). Benefits of Macebell Training. Coaching Shore. https://www.coachingshore.co.uk/benefits-of-macebell-training/

Coleman, S. (2020). How Steel Mace Training Improves Mental Health. SET FOR SET. https://www.setforset.com/blogs/news/how-steel-mace-training-improves-mental-health

Cook, G. (n.d.). Indian Clubs: History and Application | Functional Movement Systems. Functional Movement. https://www.functionalmovement.com/articles/736/indian_clubs_history_and_application

English, N. (2016, November 15). The Surprising Benefits of Club Training for Strength. BarBend. https://barbend.com/surprising-benefits-club-training-strength/

G. (2021, April 14). INDIAN JORI AND GADA OF VARANASI. Akharas With Gyan. https://akharaswithgyan.blogspot.com/2016/

Ibb, T. (2016, June 2). The Great Gama. IBB – Indian Bodybuilding. https://www.indianbodybuilding.co.in/bodybuilders/the-great-gama/

Islas, C. V. (2020, February 21). Everything you need to know about Steel Mace Training and your Nervous System. Steel Mace Warrior ^TM. https://www.steelmacewarrior.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-steel-mace-and-your-nervous-system/

J. (2020, September 21). Steel Mace Training: History and General Information. Align Fitness Move Feel Perform Better. https://www.align-fitness.com/uncategorized/steel-mace-training-history-and-general-information/

McKay, K. B. (2020, September 19). Train Like an Ancient Hindu Warrior: The Steel Mace Workout. The Art of Manliness. https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/train-like-an-ancient-hindu-warrior-the-steel-mace-workout/

National Gallery of Australia. (2010). Vishnu with attendants early 12th century [Photograph]. Art Search. https://artsearch.nga.gov.au/detail.cfm?IRN=102840

Paracer, A. (2017, May 22). Remembering Gama Pehelwan: A Great Wrestler With a Golden Heart. TheQuint. https://www.thequint.com/news/india/ghulaam-mohammed-the-great-gama-indian-wrestler#read-more

RMAX International. (2017). Clubbells. Clubbell. http://www.clubbell.tv/history.php

Sanchez, T. (2020, October 7). A short History of club swinging. Heroic Sport. https://heroicsport.com/2019/01/30/history-indian-clubs/

Set, S. F. (2019). Steel Mace History: Ancient Weapon Turned Powerful Fitness Tool. SET FOR SET. https://www.setforset.com/blogs/news/introducing-the-mace-2

Set, S. F. (2020). The Complete Guide To Indian Clubs: History, Benefits & Sizes. SET FOR SET. https://www.setforset.com/blogs/news/the-complete-guide-to-indian-clubs-history-benefits-sizes

Steel Mace Australia, Dangerously Fit Academy, Macebell Training. (2020, October 11). History Of Steel Mace Training (Macebell Training). https://www.steelmace.com.au/history-of-steel-mace-training-the-macebell/

The Met. (n.d.). Mace (Gada) [Photograph]. Met Museum. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/29617

Viaggi Cultura. (2020, September 16). Varzesh-e pahlavānī e Zurkhaneh, i valori delle case di forza iraniane. ViaggiCultura: coltiva la tua identità, viaggiando. https://www.viaggicultura.it/2020/09/16/varzesh-e-pahlav%C4%81n%C4%AB-e-zurkhaneh-i-valori-delle-case-di-forza-iraniane/

Vleck, T. (2014, August 8). The Gada Part 1 | USAWA. USAWA. https://usawa.com/the-gada-part-1/

Williams, B. (2018, August 27). The GADA/MACE + SHOULDERÖK^TM. POWERLIFTING MOTIVATION. https://www.powerliftingmotivation.com/the-gada-mace-shoulderok/

Wood, J. (2014, April 17). Sim D. Kehoe. Www.Oldtimestrongman.Com. https://www.oldtimestrongman.com/blog/2014/04/17/sim-d-kehoe/

Wrestling, C. W. S.-. (2007, August 19). Strength Training for the Eons. Scientific Wrestling. https://www.scientificwrestling.com/public/325.cfm

Photo-1: The Great Gama, in an early photo from the 20th century, seen with his Gada

Photo-2: An 8th-12th century Pala Dynasty sculpture of the deity Vishnu, bearing the Gada in one of its right hands (National Gallery of Australia; 2010)