A Warrior’s Exchange – Taking Indian Strength Traditions to the Special Forces

Some experiences etch themselves deep into your bones — this was one of them.

Recently, Akash, our master training & I, Rishabh Malhotra, had the rare privilege of conducting a tactical strength training program for a special forces unit. These are men who operate in the shadows, often invisible to the public eye, yet they shoulder a weight few can comprehend. 

We were invited to lead them through a physical conditioning regimen — but not just any regimen. This one was rooted in traditional Indian strength practices, passed down through generations of akharas and warriors and martial artists, long before gyms and machines became the norm.

At Tagda Raho, we have added new elements to the system that make it more potent for strength and conditioning at a tactical level. 

Walking into the camp on the first day, we carried with us curiosity, knowledge which we were here to share and a whole lot of respect & awe. But what we carried even more dearly was the intent — to offer them something from our heritage that could match their resilience, and hopefully, enrich their already formidable capabilities. The air here felt different. It was hard to put it into words but we had not experienced this before. 

What I encountered, however, left me humbled.

These men — rugged, efficient, and conditioned for survival in the harshest terrains — approached the program with open minds and respectful curiosity. I expected skepticism. What I received instead was excitement. There was a spark in their eyes when they gripped the gada , mudgar and samtola for the first time. Some smiled with childlike glee, others nodded solemnly, as if they recognized something ancient in their hands.

The sessions were grueling, as they were meant to be. The swings of the mudgar and gada, the flow of bodyweight movements, the focus required to stay present in every repetition — all of it demanded more than just strength. It demanded discipline, patience, and keen intent to learn.

And yet, despite their elite training, these warriors never wore their toughness like a badge. They were humble. Gracious. Willing to learn. The kind of men who teach you without speaking a word — by how they show up, by how they endure, and by how they treat others with dignity.

In between sets and sweat, they asked questions. About the origin of the training, some shared insights on how they already see how this can help them train better. We had conversations around Indian wrestlers and training of old. Some shared stories from their operations and the challenges they overcome each time they step out. We saw them make connections between modern tactical performance and the ancient Indian philosophy of strength — strength not just of body, but of will.

It wasn’t just a training session. It was a cultural exchange.

And in that exchange, we too were changed.

Our program was segmented into various categories that helped them with :

1:  Upper Body Strength:

• Starting from grip strength which has application in hand to hand combat, firing and other operational tasks.
• We covered movements which helped with shoulder strength and stability, worked on their deltoid strength and conditioning. Working on the deltoids is highly beneficial for special forces commandos because strong, well-developed deltoid muscles (which comprise the front, side, and rear parts of the shoulder) directly support many functional and mission-critical activities they perform.
  • These include weapon handling, load bearing.
    • Commandos often carry heavy gear, including rucksacks, ammo, and body armour — often exceeding 30–40 kg.
    • The posterior deltoids and traps support the upper back and shoulders in load distribution, preventing strain or injury.
  • Explosive Upper Body Movements:
    • Activities like breaching doors, scaling walls, or engaging in hand-to-hand combat demand explosive shoulder power.
    • Deltoid strength contributes directly to punching force, push strength, and rotational stability.
    • Movements in our program help them bulletproof the shoulder, making it less prone to dislocations or strains during awkward lifts, falls, or sudden manoeuvres.

2: Core and full body drills:

• Rotational movements & Core Integration through use of gada, mudgar and samtola helps at a tactical level as most combat and tactical movements involve rotational force, not just linear pushing or pulling.
• Movements with the Gada, Mudgar and Samtola demand coordinated effort between the shoulders, spine, obliques, and hips, building rotational torque and spinal resilience.
• The Samtola was specifically put to use to work on full body movements with a focus on lower body engagement. Movements like the Chakravyuha, stability lunges, dynamite rows etc helps work on the kinetic chain of the body.
• Unlike machines or barbells, these tools create offset, asymmetrical loads which helps the troops get stronger, more agile, more mobile and harder to injure!

3: Functional endurance and conditioning:

• Special forces need muscular endurance, not just strength. Our specially designed circuits helped add this to their training drills. It helps them provide a new stimulus to the body. Make no mistake that the SF commandoes are already conditioned to an elite level. Our goal here was to help them add more to their training arsenal and provide a new dimension to their physical training.

It should be a matter of pride for all of us to see the Indian armed forces use traditional Indian equipment and training. Your team at Tagda Raho has worked with 2 special forces battalions so far.

The gada, mudgar & samtola are not just old-school tools — they are battlefield-relevant. It helps special forces commandos build the kind of functional endurance & strength that matters: the ability to move, carry, and perform under real-world stress, load, and fatigue — again and again.

Our training programs at Tagda Raho across all our centres are purpose-built. 

They are designed for uncompromising strength, endurance and mobility. No matter what field you belong to, what sport you play or what format of fitness you subscribe to, Tagda will only help you get better at what you do.

You can sign up at our centres across Bengaluru & Pune to experience our program first-hand. 

Jai Hind!