AKHARA POWER: THE GADA

The gada is one of the traditional pieces of training equipment in Hindu physical culture, and is common in the akhara of north India. Maces of various weights and heights are used depending on the strength and skill level of the practitioner. It is believed that, Hanuman's gada was the hugest amongst all the gadas in the world. For training purposes, one or two gada are swung behind the back in several different ways and is particularly useful for building grip strength and shoulder endurance.

The Great Gama was known for excessive use of gada. Winners in a kushti contest are often awarded with a gada.

you can find the gada ( the mace) as an exercise tool in all the akharas of varanasi. In varanasi you can see the competition of swinging of the gada ( the mace).

Always start from lower to upper weight. sometimes the wrestlers and pahalwaan of jori swing the lighter weight gada for warm up . the pahalwaans do this swing with one arm. it gives a good body shape to wrestler and pahalwaan of jori (jori swinger).

Always learn the gada swinging under the master (guru's training).

learn the good technique for your best health. the gada is not an exercise tool but a spritual thing for Hindus. Most of the varanasian loves to swing the gada.

how to do gada swinging :

The Gada is swung from between the legs to gain momentum, then launched over the shoulder to begin rotation

Catching the momentum, the head of the Gada is then swung in a pendulum arc behind the body before being pulled up and over the shoulder, pausing momentarily before being sent back over the opposite shoulder.