If you’ve followed us for a while, you’ve probably seen a lot of different ways to train with a mace… full workouts, flows, complexes, conditioning pieces, all of it.
But this video is a little different.
This is how we actually use the mace most of the time in our own training.
And it’s probably simpler than you think.
It’s Not the Main Workout
Most days, the mace isn’t the centerpiece.
It’s the finisher.
After a full training session… strength work, carries, sandbags, kettlebells… whatever the focus was that day… that’s when we pick up the mace.
By that point:
- The body is fully warmed up
- Blood is flowing
- Joints feel good
- You’re mentally locked in
That’s exactly where the mace works best.
Why We Like It at the End
The mace has a very unique demand because of the lever length and how the load moves through space.
Even at moderate weights, the torque on your shoulders, wrists, and trunk is high… especially once you start getting into single arm work.
That’s why jumping straight into heavy swings cold doesn’t make much sense.
Using it at the end solves that.
You’re already prepared… and you can actually train it hard without spending half your time just trying to get loose.
How We Ramp Into It
We don’t overcomplicate the setup.
It usually looks like this:
Start with a lighter setup:
- Two-handed 10-2s
- Two-handed 360s
- Smooth, controlled reps just to groove the pattern
No strict rep count… just getting into rhythm.
From there, we’ll move into:
- Single arm work
- Slightly more intent behind each rep
- Letting the body open up and move
This is less about “warming up” in the traditional sense… and more about dialing in timing, coordination, and feel.
Then We Go Heavy
Once everything feels good, we’ll switch to a heavier setup.
This is where adjustable maces really shine. Having multiple handles or setups ready means you’re not wasting time swapping plates… you just grab and go.
Now it’s:
- A few two-handed swings to feel the load
- Then straight into single arm work
And from there… you just work.
Why We Keep It Short
This is where most people get it wrong.
They try to turn mace training into a long, drawn-out session.
That’s not how we approach it.
Most days:
- 2 sets total
- Roughly 10–15 reps per side (not counted strictly)
- High effort, high focus
That’s it.
Because once fatigue hits with heavier mace work… it hits fast.
Your grip goes… timing falls off… positions get sloppy.
You could stretch it into 4–5 sets… but now you’re pacing yourself instead of actually training with intent.
We’d rather keep it short and effective.
The Fatigue Is Different
Mace fatigue isn’t just muscular.
It’s:
- Grip
- Shoulders
- Trunk stability
- Coordination
- Timing
All at once.
That’s why even strong people get humbled quickly when the weight gets up there.
And it’s also why you don’t need a ton of volume to get a ton of benefit.
A Quick Note on Tissue Stress
Even if you’ve been training with a mace for a long time… you still need to respect what it does to your connective tissue.
The constant deceleration, redirection, and leverage can add up… especially if you’re not fully warm or if you push volume too high.
That’s another reason we keep it at the end… and keep it controlled.
You get the benefits without digging yourself into a hole.
Simple, Effective, Repeatable
That’s really the theme here.
We’re not trying to make this more complicated than it needs to be.
End of session…
Quick ramp up…
A couple hard sets…
Done.
You’ll get stronger, more coordinated, and more resilient… without burning yourself out or turning it into something it doesn’t need to be.
If you haven’t tried using the mace this way yet… give it a shot on your next training day.
Short. Intentional. High quality.
That’s where it really starts to click!