FAQ’s
Why the mace?
The athleticism and endurance required for sustained combat has always been a driving factor in my personal fitness goals. The mace or war club is a both a workout tool and weapon that requires significant effort to use well. One tool allows you to get a great workout with nothing more than simple physics. It is highly portable and does not require much space to use. Plus, it is just badass.
Where can I get a steel mace?
You can purchase a mace off of Amazon, Onnit, and several other websites. Rarely if ever will you see one in a sporting goods store. There are slight variations between the different models and brands, and in my experience it does not really matter which one you decide to go with. The principal of the steel mace is what is important here, not the brand. A sledge hammer provides the same mechanics but is more difficult to use due to the elongated ends of the hammer. Traditional Indian gadas are made from bamboo and concrete.
How is Steel Mace Workout different?
The motions of Steel Mace Workout effectively train and build lean muscle in the body without requiring heavy weight or a gym. The exercises mimic real-world motions for actions that you will actually perform, not just moving a weighted bar in one motion along one plane. The constant variations of the workouts allows for a wide range of the body to be used in a single working session. Footwork and movement can be incorporated into the swinging for an added level of difficulty.
What size mace should I use?
Use less weight than you think you’ll need. It doesn’t matter how strong or capable you are right now, this is a challenging tool for even the largest of people. I am 6’3”, 210#, and I can get a great workout in 30 minutes with only a 15# mace. A significantly challenging workout for me involves a 25# mace. If you have never used one, I recommend a 10# or 15# mace to start, but no more.
What can parts of my body can I build?
Essentially, all parts. Forearms, upper arms, shoulders, traps, back, abdominals, glutes, and legs. Building pectorals and calves can be done, but the motions of the mace do not work these muscles as easily as the traditional bench press or calf raise machine. If you are truly looking to use the mace as your sole workout, I recommend 8 count body builders and push-ups for chest.
Isn’t a going to a gym better?
If you like going to a gym, then by all means, do what works for you. For me, no. My biggest challenge was actually getting to the gym. I felt that my time was better spent if I could workout from home and I did not have the space for a full home gym. Truthfully, I was bored with the isolation exercises that a gym offered. I was also constantly pushing myself to lift heavier and heavier weight which eventually resulted in injuries. The steel mace, coupled with the exercises I developed, allowed me to get into better shape than I was when I was going to a traditional gym, injury free, on my own time, at home, and with one tool that just so happened to be a medieval weapon. I will workout like this for the rest of my life.