When most people think about drop sets, they think about lowering the weight to squeeze out a few more reps. Mechanical drop sets take that same idea, but instead of changing the weight, you change the movement mechanics to make the pattern slightly easier while still training the same muscles and swing pattern.
When you are working with a mace, this becomes an extremely effective way to build more single arm volume, push heavier loads, and develop cleaner technique. You can do it without resetting your stance or starting a brand new set.
If you have been trying to level up your single arm ten to twos or feel stuck with your current weight, this method is worth experimenting with.
What Is a Mechanical Drop Set
A mechanical drop set is simply a set where you shift the movement to an easier variation as you fatigue. This allows you to keep working without dropping the tool or changing the load.
With a mace, you have a built in advantage. You can switch between single arm and two arm variations instantly.
Since two arm swings offer more control, more leverage, and more stability, they become your easier variation without lowering the weight. You get more reps, more volume, and more time under tension with no wasted time between changes.
Why Mechanical Drop Sets Work So Well with a Mace
Steel mace training already challenges leverage, torque, grip, and rotational control. When you add mechanical drop sets, you get a few specific benefits.
1. You can safely push heavier loads.
If your normal single arm ten to two weight is around twenty five to thirty pounds, but you want to practice heavier swings, you can load up to thirty five or forty pounds and use mechanical drop sets to stay in the pattern longer.
You start with the harder variation, then switch to two arm swings when fatigue shows up. You keep the weight heavy while reducing the difficulty of the movement.
2. You build more high quality volume.
Volume is the key to improving technique. Especially with skill based patterns like three sixties, mills, and ten to twos.
Instead of hitting a handful of good single arm reps before form breaks down, you extend the set by shifting into an easier variation without losing the rhythm of the swing.
3. You can keep challenging foot positions longer.
Traditional stance with feet together is one of the toughest positions to swing in. You do not always want to open your stance and reset.
Mechanical drop sets let you stay in that narrow stance and still work through fatigue with clean reps.
4. It keeps training fun.
This matters more than people admit. When training feels like you have options inside the set, you push a little harder, experiment more, and stay consistent.
There are no official rules with this. Just smart progression.
How to Use Mechanical Drop Sets with Mace Swings
Here is the exact method used in the video.
Start with the hardest variation
Single arm ten to twos
Traditional stance with feet touching or close
A heavier load than you normally use
As fatigue sets in, move to an easier variation
Two arm swings
Then back to single arm
Then two arm again
Repeat as needed
You are trading movement difficulty, not weight.
A sample mechanical drop set could look like:
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Four single arm reps
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Four two arm reps
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Three single arm reps
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Three two arm reps
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Two single arm reps
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Two two arm reps
Or it can be more flexible.
Start with two arm swings, add in single arm reps whenever you feel solid, then move back to two arm when technique needs support.
No limits. Just keep the set going with quality reps.
Why Single Arm Work Matters
If you have followed CK Maceworks for any length of time, you know we love single arm work.
It helps you:
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Build unilateral shoulder strength
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Improve rotational timing and control
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Expose and fix imbalances
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Deepen your understanding of the swing pattern
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Make two arm swings feel incredibly light
Mechanical drop sets let you practice more single arm volume at loads that would normally cut your sets short. This is where big progress is made.
Try It with the Canteen Attachment or Any CK Handle
In the video, we used a CK Maceworks Canteen attachment loaded to about forty pounds. It is a compact, versatile head shape that makes mechanical transitions fast and smooth.
But you can use this method with:
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The Cadi V2
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The Cadi Club
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The Shorty
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Any Load and Lock setup
Since all CK handles are plate loadable and custom sized to you, you can choose a load that challenges you while still allowing safe transitions.
Give It a Try and Let Us Know How It Goes
Mechanical drop sets are one of those simple training tweaks that make sessions more productive and more interesting. If you are working on strength, volume, or technical control with your mace, this is a tool you should try.
Tell us how it goes in the comments of the video, and let us know what you want to see next.
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Better swings come from better reps... and mechanical drop sets are one of the easiest ways to get them.