Indian Clubs vs Steel Maces – How to Choose Between Them

At first glance, Indian clubs (aka clubbells) and steel maces (macebells) look pretty similar - long handles, heavy steel, ancient training vibes. But spend five minutes training with them and you’ll quickly realise they’re different.

Both are unconventional training tools, and you know we love a bit of that here at Gravity Fitness. They look simple but challenge your strength, mobility, and coordination in ways that conventional strength equipment just can’t.

We stock both Indian clubs and steel maces, but which one should you get? This post breaks down the history, features, benefits, and best exercises for both Indian clubs and steel maces, so you can choose the right one (or get both, and understand how to get the most of them!)

A History of Indian Clubs and Macebells

Indian clubs are one of the OG pieces of training kit. Originally used as weapons in ancient Persia and India, they were later adopted as training tools for wrestlers, warriors, and soldiers. By the 19th century, Indian clubs had made their way to Europe where they became a staple in military training and even an Olympic sport. Their design hasn’t changed much over the centuries. The best Indian clubs (like the ones we sell) are a tapered club with the weight distributed along its length.

The steel mace, or macebell, also has roots in ancient cultures. The gada was a weapon used by wrestlers and fighters thanks to its long handle and heavy ball end. Today’s steel mace is a modern upgrade on the original style - solid steel, with more refined handle dimensions, and that ball shape on the end.

Both tools connect you to a legacy of ancient cultures and warrior training. But their design differences mean they’ll challenge your body in distinct ways.

What Exactly Are Steel Indian Clubs or Clubbells?

Indian clubs are a tapered design, which means the weight is distributed along the club and feels more balanced when you swing it. You can adjust the intensity by shifting your grip. Indian clubs are great for grip strength, rotational mobility, and shoulder health. Many people use them for rehab, prehab, and conditioning work, but you can also use Indian clubs for an entire workout that will build muscle, raise your heart rate, burn calories, and work every joint.

• Available in weights from 2kg to 20kg

• Tapered design for balanced weight distribution

• Perfect for grip strength, shoulder mobility, coordination

• Solid construction with matte black finish

• Lifetime Gravity Fitness warranty

Macebells or steel maces are a straight handle (not tapered) with a ball shape at the end. This makes for a more uneven load that is great for flows and rotational training, and can be used as a more traditional weight for compound movements. Steel maces train the stabiliser muscles and core like nothing else because they force you to make constant adjustments.

• Available in 4kg – 12kg

• Two handle thickness options (32mm or 40mm)

• Best for flows, rotations, and offset compound lifts

• Heavy-duty construction, grippy finish

• Gravity Fitness lifetime warranty

How To Use Indian Clubs and Steel Maces in Training

Indian clubs are all about fluid, controlled movement. They’re a good choice if you want to improve shoulder mobility and joint health, build grip and forearm strength, or add dynamic warm-ups or rehab/prehab into your training. You can scale the intensity from light to heavy to focus on mobility, conditioning, or strength.

Steel maces are a great choice if you want to develop rotational power and core stability, train balance and coordination under load, or do flowing movements with powerful swings. They’re also a great tool for adding something different to calisthenics or functional workouts.

How to Choose Indian Clubs vs Steel Maces

If you’re still on the fence, here’s the simple way to decide:

• Go for Indian clubs if your focus is mobility, shoulder health, and grip strength. They’re a great tool for everyone from beginners to advanced athletes, and the wide weight range makes them super versatile.

• Go for steel maces if you want to push your body with uneven loading and rotational strength. They’re humbling, they blast your core muscles, and they’ll open up a new style of training.

Of course, if you love unconventional training, the best option is to get both! You won’t be doubling up – they complement each other really well.

5 Best Exercises for Indian Clubs

1. Two-Handed Front Swing - classic warm-up and mobility builder.

2. Inside Circle - opens shoulders, improves rotation, and works coordination.

3. Outside Circle - similar but hits slightly different planes of motion.

4. Alternating Mills - flowing movement that builds coordination, and strength.

5. Squat-to-Swing Combo - add a lower body element for a full-body workout.

5 Best Exercises for Steel Maces

1. 360 Swing - signature macebell move that builds grip, shoulder mobility, core strength.

2. Offset Overhead Press - press with uneven load for stability and balance.

3. Mace Squat - mace across the shoulders or offset for leg and core strength.

4. Lunge-to-Swing Flow - dynamic lower body movement with rotational strength.

5. Mace Uppercut - powerful rotational move for the core and upper body.

Gravity Fitness Indian Clubs and Steel Maces Online

Indian clubs and steel maces are everything we love at Gravity Fitness – deceptively simple and brutally effective! Both offer something you’ll never get from normal strength training equipment. And they have a direct link back to ancient cultures and their training styles, which you’ve got to love.

The best tool is the one that fits your goals. Need mobility, prehab, or grip strength? Start with Indian clubs. Want rotational power and a new training challenge? Get a steel mace. Or use both, and train like a warrior from every angle.

[Check out our Indian Clubs here] [Check out our Steel Maces here]