The generational wealth and wisdom of India include the likes of Yoga, Dhyan, Ayurveda, and a holistic physical workout with traditional equipment such as Gada, Mudgar, and Samtola.
These are also known by names such as Mace, Mace Bell, Mugdar, Karlakattai, Jori, Meel, Clubbell, Steel Mace, etc.
Many people across India and the subcontinent have grown up seeing these in some form or another. Still, very few have had the ‘privilege’ to experience the workout and its benefits.
Benefits of a Gada Workout
1. Full-Body Workout
The Hanuman Gada and Mudgar offer a full-body workout, contrary to the popular belief that it is only for the upper body.
The Gada workout focuses on compound movements and multi-joint exercises, which help engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. The swinging patterns of the Gada challenge the body in a very different way compared to a dumbbell or barbell. The lower body strength, balance, and coordination required to swing the Gada in its full range of motion across different planes is something you need to experience to believe!
2. Grip Strength
One of the best indicators of health, an increase in grip strength can do wonders for you in sports, workouts, and everyday life.
The biggest advantage of the Gada is its unique weight distribution, where all its weight is stacked on one side and always stacked against you. This factor engages your forearm flexors and extensors, and almost all Gada exercises help you build better grip strength. The unique weight distribution also makes the workout more challenging and makes the weight of the Gada feel very different from its actual dead weight.
3. Balance and Coordination
Due to the unique length, weight distribution, and design of the Gada & Mace, your balance and coordination are constantly tested.
The swinging patterns used in this workout push and pull your body in different directions, improving balance, coordination, and full-body engagement without isolating muscles on machines at the gym.
4. Strength Without Stiffness
Most people who work out at the gym using machines often complain about stiffness or lack of mobility despite gaining strength.
With the Gada/Mace, you will never have to compromise on mobility or range of motion because the full range of motion is naturally incorporated into the workout. This is why elite athletes, special forces troops, and top coaches have started incorporating the Gada/Mace as part of their training protocols.
5. Injury Prevention
With an increased range of motion and mobility, the Gada workout significantly reduces the risk of injuries in weight training or sports.
6. Cardiovascular Fitness
Using the Gada/Mace in different swinging patterns and training for time elevates your heart rate, increasing stamina, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.
7. Inclusive Strength Training
Many people, especially women and senior citizens, are averse to lifting weights in the gym, which often leads to a lack of strength training and compromises longevity.
Gada/Mace training offers a fun, engaging, and effective way to incorporate resistance training into the lives of those who have stayed away from it for various reasons.
Explore our Hanuman Gadas to Workout at Home (Click on the Image):
The Gada: A Tool of Warriors
The Gada was historically used by warriors to build strength and endurance.
In ancient times, battles were fought with heavy swords and shields, requiring superhuman strength and endurance to wield these weapons for long hours.
Today, our lives are more restricted than ever before in human history. The same Gada/Mace helps us incorporate multi-planar movements and activate different muscle groups to stay healthy and strong. This time-tested workout has made a resurgence across the world.
It is not a fad or an alternative workout method. Instead, it is the oldest and most original form of strength training on the planet.
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