I Finally Tried Mace Training! (Kinda)

[@kenovakid]

I’ve lifted in my garage with only kettlebells, sandbags, and mace bells for over a year now and I’m the biggest, strongest, and healthiest I’ve ever been.

[@thestonecircle]

Hell yeah!!!

[@ringburner3611]

Ive found (for at least in my case) that doing 100 mace swings after work every day followed by 100 hyperextensions has pretty much eliminated all upper/lower back and shoulder pain i had. I drive for a living and it feels like a good way to balance it all out in the form of a 10 minute mini workout. Sometimes ill throw in an extra 5 minutes of stability exercises just for good measure

[@thestonecircle]

Swings and hypers that really covers the bases right there!

[@estebansa5]

I satrted training with Indian and heavy clubs about 6 months ago on a daily basis, it might just be my anatomy, but about two months in I started noticing some nice triceps and delt growth. Also it's helped a lot with chronic shoulder pain , highly recomended 🙏🏽

[@thestonecircle]

Heck yeah who doesn't want some extra triceps growth too!!

[@sergioguayerbas]

I am passionate about watching your videos and your workouts that I had never seen before. Since I was little, my passion for medieval fantasy has led me to read book sagas and a lot of different content. I have been a man who has gone to the gym but seeing you do these workouts, with sword and sandbag, in the forest has inspired me. I would really like to start changing my training and do something like that because I'm going to enjoy it a lot more. I hope you continue uploading sword videos because I love it. Thanks for the content.

[@thestonecircle]

Hey I'm so glad you liked this one!! Never sure how this stuff will be received haha. I'm right there with you, I'm pretty much listening to some kind of medieval fantasy stuff all day while I'm working, audiobooks etc, and when I'm going to bed. I hope you enjoy the training, switching to sandbags was the best thing I ever did!

[@pmenon78]

Sandbags, mace snd clubs ... awesome combo

[@thestonecircle]

Heck yeah!

[@tadeusbruno]

@@thestonecircle + climbing rope

[@justas423]

Another thing about "Do exercises/skills you think are cool" is that it's good motivation. Seeing yourself lift heavier and heavier bags or get closer and closer to a calisthenics skill is good motivation compared doing very specific exercises and only seeing the numbers and feeling go up.

[@thestonecircle]

Yes exactly!!

[@ChristianThierry]

Look into Montante and great swords for an even FULLER body workout; I also recommend you take a look at an adjustable club like the Adex. Looks like I'm travelling the same road as you but in the opposite directions, Mace to Sandbag. Keep going! I'm enjoying the book :)

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thank you for the recommendations I'll look them up! Definitely planning on getting an actual mace/club after this. Been planning on it for so long I'm glad I went through with this experiment, made me realize how effective this stuff is! And heck yeah I'm so glad you're liking the book man!!

[@BrokenKrayon]

The joy of mace training is it genuinely feels a lot like play. Good for the mind and body!

[@thestonecircle]

I don't think I've ever felt so much like I was actually in Skyrim haha, straight up play for sure!

[@holloway_one]

Been using them for months now, my shoulders look and feel incredible

[@thestonecircle]

Heck yeah! My shoulders really do feel great since I started doing this, and that's without even using a real club or mace!

[@duchaneaux]

Make sure you do finger extensions with a rubber band to counter the constant gripping for whatever weighted levers you use. Your elbow tendons will thank you. I was really into macebell training and I overdid the reps everyday from practicing shield casts that I developed tennis elbow that took me a few months to get over.

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thanks for the heads up! I actually finally got a bucket and some rice for rice bucket extensions, just need to get it set up!!

[@JasonAizatoZemeckis]

Real Stone Circle fans know that he advocated for banded finger extensions in another video

[@celticdeamon567]

​@@thestonecirclethe progression with that it to go to heavy grain sand and then small stones, then rocks. Good for hardening bones too.

[@rahulvarma001]

@duchaneaux Thanks! I just started with a 7.5kg steel mace, and for the last 2 days i felt some twinges below by elbow. now i understand why. I think you saved me a few months rest and rehab.

[@StraitjacketFitness]

​@@JasonAizatoZemeckis Facts. It can still be good to bring it up and discuss it from time to time. Isolating finger and wrist extention has been very helpful for my grip strength and eliminating/preventing elbow pain. FR.

[@thefubuking9919]

I started training with a dumbell only loaded on one side to do more are less the feeling of a mace. Forearm feel incredibly strong and really little pain compared to normal , i finally have a way of working my shoulder that i enjoy it's so much fun swigging that dumbell around ! Thanks for that video you keep changing the way i train and i love it !

[@thestonecircle]

That's an awesome idea!! Glad you liked it :)

[@notacyborg1717]

I've been doing sledgehammer exercises and they are a great finisher. Plus they are fun. A surprising number of women at work stop by to talk and then casually brush my shoulder as they leave (got a woman, not going to do anything, but it was surprising to me that the shoulders drew that attention)

[@thestonecircle]

Heyyy that's awesome haha, no better sign the trainings working than that!!

[@hzali6683]

This! I have a custom built 8kg sledgehammer and it's only equipment I have besides my soilbag (sandbag but filled with soil) and bench. I created many variants with it and the imbalance of the sledgehammer allowes for some great unilateral exercises. Not to mention the bursted shoulders...

[@tristan-gregory]

Love mace and club work, been doing it for years. One thing you should keep in mind is applying a commensurate amount of wrist extension stretching and strengthening. I found club work to make me prone to De Quervain’s without it.

[@thestonecircle]

Hey I really appreciate the insight thank you!

[@SpikeTFA]

So stoked to have you check out these rotational mace style workouts. I listened to a lot of Mark Wildman about it, and have been looking forward to you giving your take on it in your signature way. Absolutely love the philosophy you bring to it, sort of a bottom-up understanding on repeating a weighted pattern to get good at it (combat, labor, etc). I can guarantee you that within one month of even moderate mace work with like a 15 lb, your shoulders just...change.. it's fucking wild dude. I've gotten up to 400 mace swings in a row with a 15lb, and it only really takes about 10 minutes. It's not even that impressive, but the effect are still insane, and I can only imagine what it would be like to do the same with 30+ lbs (someday!). I swear, training with sandbags and maces just feels like you're preparing for war.. there really is a different spiritual element to these tools

[@thestonecircle]

Heck yeah man I can't wait to get something heavier than this sword!! I feel that completely too, training tools like this just hit different, preparing to throw a person, to fight them with a weapon!

[@SimonGonzalOS]

Yoooo wow perfect timing i got two indian clubs recently. Looking forward to watching this

[@thestonecircle]

AWESOME! I can't wait to try clubs myself now that I've seen the potential!

[@SimonGonzalOS]

@thestonecircle bro mine are so heavy but they weigh 15 lbs. Weird how the weight is distributed but great for wrists as well cuz of how leverage works

[@thestonecircle]

@@SimonGonzalOS I've heard 15 lbs can be so heavy with those! Even this sword felt heavy after enough repetitions, and the balance point was still pretty close to my hands!

[@schloemerluke22]

Feels like some type of funny coincidence you made this video. Id been training with a mace for a while before I started using some of your programming. Recently I have been experimenting with a modified version of your programming that combines and puts some decent emphasis on mace. Lots of fun. I’d for sure recommend getting a proper mace or building one yourself. Heavy mace swings are the way. I think just classic heavy shield casts and alternating single arm shield casts (sometimes called single arm 10&2s) are a good place to put focus. If you get a club, mills are a place to put good focus; it combines a shield cast with an inside/outside circle (depending on which way you rotate.) Being able to do high volume with a moderate to heavy weight is where the magic happens, but there is absolutely benefit to exploring a more “power swinging” approach of heavier weight for lower reps.

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thank you for those recommendations! Pretty hooked on it so I'll be getting an actual mace for sure

[@Kilakro]

I know you only showed it for a couple seconds, but seeing you swing that sword one-handed was impressive as hell. Keep up the good work and give us mere mortals a goal worth striving for!

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thank you! The one handed version really felt cool :)

[@Shy2Low30]

I doubt that I came up with this but I discovered for myself that something I call ‘sandbag fold to squat’ it’s been an amazing experience to test this exercise out. I basically grab the sandbag fully bent over similar to a standing pike or zercher jefferson curl then going to standing then going to cheeks to heals or ground ATG squat than repeat some squats than back to fold. It’s been extremely challenging and fun, I started with 2 folds and 2 squats per fold with a 160 lbs sandbag. Now I’m working with a 210lbs sandbag doing 4-6 folds w/ 2-4 squats per fold. It’s been an amazing experience and exercise and I wanted to share it with ya guys. I hope this comment makes sense btw…

[@thestonecircle]

Hey that makes total sense and sounds awesome! Sorta like a good morning squat combination move, or some kind of sandbag Kang squat. I'll have to give it a shot!

[@Shy2Low30]

@thestonecircle yea it’s super affective! Its one of the only primary exercises I’m using for my legs except for Nordic curls… I accidentally came across the idea after watching one of your videos and trying to one motion a sandbag but started with straight legs then just full spinal flexion good morninged it up and then squated… really recommend, the fold to squat can be done with other variations as well, if ya want some of the variations I’ve been using I can share them.

[@StraitjacketFitness]

That sounds like something I would do. And it sounds like progressively overloading that movement, plus a calorie surplus should seriously build some muscle. Keep it up brother.

[@Shy2Low30]

@straitjacketfitness ohhh definitely, I really recommend it! The exercise gives such an amazing stretch to your whole body, it’s probably my favorite exercise. Period…and ur definitely right about bulking up, I think this exercise is the main reason my weight went from 236 to 248lbs… it’s been super helpful for my whole posterior chain, my arms n shoulders, and most definitely my thighs… I’m planning on getting a 275lbs sandbag soon and getting to a 330lbs bag by the end of next year!

[@RagaIlOk-jn2ln]

This sounds really interesting, do you mind explaining it a little different.

[@Stay_Hated]

The Conditioning for Combat sports dvd from Scientific Wrestling is a criminally underrated resource for all things mace, club and calisthenics. It’s 3 hours of Karl Gotch showing off a million different ways to be a savage. If you’re into calisthenics but not gymnastics based stuff it’s something worth looking into.

[@thestonecircle]

Thank you for the recommendation that sounds awesome!

[@Stay_Hated]

@@thestonecirclethe physical copy is pricey but If you get the digital version its much cheaper. Have fun 👍

[@saiketbiswas8444]

Strong Diablo 2 feels in the earlier part of this video : D . I think swinging a heavy stick/club/mace is a pretty universal skill to build up on in the same way a basic punch is universal.

[@thestonecircle]

Heck yeah those were the days!! Diablo 2 was so good, even if I played warcraft 3 most :) I think you're 100% right there!

[@Close2silent]

4:18 “If I wanted to hyper focus on muscle I would just sit on a machine but skills are fun and also gives you muscle” bars 🎙️

[@thestonecircle]

Haha heck yeah glad you liked it :D

[@danielbrooke-gandhi]

Nice. Very glad to see you try the mace, or near enough. The technique for a mace 360 requires the arc to be a bit more even on each side. It also involves rotation about the spine driven from hips, which isn't obvious from the outside. My favourite drill is to start with a back pendulum, which involves putting the mace in the bottom position at the back, then rotating the trunk side to side. Your goal is to get the mace perpendicular with your head on each side, with most of the force generated by your hips and spine. Once you can do that, pull it over at the top of the arc. Now reverse it and pull it over the other side and you have a 360. This was a game changer for me.

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thank you for the suggestions!! I'm looking forward to working with a heavier mace now that I've done this for a while, excited for the extra challenge!

[@danielbrooke-gandhi]

@@thestonecircle nice, I recommend an adjustable mace if you can get it. You can get a cadi club and mace handle from ck mace works and some cheap standard weight plates for not too much.

[@drew5555555555555555]

Nice man, I've been using Persian meels for a while now and have gotten some pretty good results from them in terms of strength. Like the connection from my hands down to my core is a lot stronger. They were originally used as sword training which makes sense. I think the chances of me ever getting into a sword fight are probably right around zero, but if I ever do at the very least I'll be able to swing it really hard lol.

[@thestonecircle]

Hey heck yeah that's awesome!! Preparing for 10 years into the zombie apocalypse when the ammo is gone :D

[@McFangsworth]

Dude, I LOVE mace training! Got my Eryx adjustable macebell, and it just feels awesome to use. As soon as the weather allows it I use it outside (as my apartment is too small to use as a practice space). Glad you enjoy it as well!

[@thestonecircle]

Hey great to hear from you that's awesome!! I'll have to look up the Eryx model :)

[@McFangsworth]

@@thestonecircle It's great! Might be exclusive to the European market though. I've heard great things about the CK Maceworks and Adex models however!

[@thestonecircle]

​@@McFangsworththank you!

[@PlacidTanuki]

Try out the adjustable mace from CK maceworks since you already have plates on hand! You can treat it like your own personal weapon that you're trying to master. For clubs, Titan Fitness actually has some on the cheap end!

[@thestonecircle]

@@PlacidTanuki thank you for the recommendations!!

[@michaelpopkins3002]

Macebell work is up there with sandbags for me. Its so much fun,and as youve stated before... its a skill to work towards. And the shoulder,forearms, Grip burn is immense!!! More than anything its just so much fun to swing and imagine your a bad ass!!😂😂

[@thestonecircle]

@@michaelpopkins3002 it really is so fun! 😁 need to get a real mace now!

[@michaelpopkins3002]

Definately!!

[@ByronTexas]

I’m taking my old 1” solid barbell and cutting it down to 36” and maybe a 40” bar(s). I have IRONMIND’s Bulldog collars and will use them to make an adjustable mace. With my 2.5’s, 5’s, I can make a very light mace or a mace that’s too heavy to use and everything in between. I also have magnetic 1.25lb plates. I think being creative with plumbing pipes could get you an adjustable mace for super cheap.

[@thestonecircle]

That sounds like it's gonna be awesome when you get it made!!

[@1igonin]

Great video (you inspire me to do my ninja bokken training ahah). I also see that the biggest advantage of the sword over mace is the control you develop by using a sword, as with a mace you will not stop it easily once is starts spinning (which is exactly why its so dangerous) while you can and are practicing by stopping the blade at impact point, which makes it much better in a real combat situation as it gives you a greater control over striking or just controlling/threatening your opponent while avoiding unnecessary injury/death (which is most important). Keep it up ;)

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thank you! That's a great point I really like that about the sword, so much room for precision with it. I have a long way to go of course haha, but it's exciting!

[@johnfalco4169]

I discovered the mace about a year and a 1/2 ago when I was looking to rebuild my shoulders after some damage. They really helped rebuild my shoulders. I started off using an 8 pound sledge hammer It's the same principle.

[@thestonecircle]

Hey really glad to hear it worked for you! I'm looking forward to working with heavier implements too

[@TroyHardingLit]

Clubs and sandbags are my current protocol. Love it. Prefer clubs to calisthenics personally. Mostly because I have an adjustable club that allows measured progression.

[@thestonecircle]

Heck yeah that sounds like a great setup!

[@johnirving4906]

I enjoy your videos, and your book. I really appreciate that you are trying new and different things. Keep up the good work.

[@thestonecircle]

Hey I'm so glad man! Thanks so much for getting the book :). Still hooked on the sandbags and calisthenics circuits, but it's been fun trying out some new things, I have plans for the rice bucket and a chest expander at some point too, just to see how it goes!

[@RollinBoy]

I own a 6kg Mace and have taken a break from it as I developed tennis elbow (Do your warm ups!) So what I have been doing instead... Is Axe Flowing. I got the idea from Rope Flow, David Weck's crazy invention where you twirl a soft light rope around you in patterns, minus the skipping. So instead of a rope, I swing around a Cold Steel War Hawk with the plastic scabbard on. Its basically the size of a large tomahawk, more in like with a French Naval Boarding Axe. Its light so the risk of injury is low, you can swing it in all manner of patterns, its great to condition, strengthen and loosen up the WHOLE upper body. Especially rotational power. Its a good skill to develop because it teaches you to go with the momentum of the axe and learn about 'indexing' since you got to aim with the axe blade (something rope flow doesn't do) And yes... I feel like Conan the Barbarian or some Viking :) it awakens something in you

[@thestonecircle]

That sounds so badass!! I definitely had trouble with the edge alignment when I started using the sword after practicing with sticks for so long haha, totally different game! And that's really the best part right? Becoming some badass warrior :D

[@RollinBoy]

@@thestonecircle It’s the only part that matters lol Give it a try mate, the axe changes the weight point, so you’ll be kinda in between a sword and a mace, plus I wonder if it would improve your wood chopping skills, like seriously :)

[@thestonecircle]

@@RollinBoy yes haha 😄 I'll definitely be looking into it!

[@Bat_Dance]

Clubs are my favorite tool. You can take them anywhere and you don’t need much room to train with them

[@Bat_Dance]

For real, though. If you have any questions on these tools, feel free to comment on here

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thank you I might have some questions once I get mine :)

[@afterzanzibar]

I love this direction, bro! And the clothes are awesome! One thing I will say about longsword training is to not stop the cut halfway but instead fiollowing through with the cut in a way where you return and end up in the same guard position you started in, in one continuous motion, if that makes sense. Like when your shoulders cant go any more, letting the rotate around to your starting position again naturally, kinda like the shield cast with the mace. That said, I like the direction your going with this.

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thanks man! I appreciate the insight I'm definitely still a beginner with this stuff. Watching back and after making this video I'm starting to think it might just make more sense to use the sword as a sword rather than as a mace replacement, and accept that it's gonna give the same things/gains I experienced either way, I'll just end up way better with the sword in the end haha. Seems kinda obvious after the fact

[@afterzanzibar]

@thestonecircle I can totally understand that. I've been swinging sharp swords, bo staffs and other weapons since I could hold them, basically. I can say its definately worthwhile to learn the skill and art of a given weapon, because every weapon has it's own attributes. Double edged weapons like your training sword are unique in the way you can wield them and flow with them. If your ever interested in learning the motions for your hand-and a half sword, you could look up something like "german longsword flow" here on KZbin. I used to use longsword the way I would use a katana, but then learned that you can wield them much more dynamically that I thought. But if you feel like using them for more of a mace flow, or burnout after sword training, then that's all good, too. Do whatever makes you happy and energized. Your video inspired me to actually work out with my mace bell and kettlebells today and remember how fun it is, so thank you. I love seeing you working out in the medieval duds and get a little jealous you can actually pull it off! Haha! Not really but I love medieval stuff and want to work out in that kind of stuff, too. I have a lot of weapons but no clothes! (Besides chainmail)!

[@thestonecircle]

@afterzanzibar man I'm excited to learn more about this stuff!! So glad this vid could be motivating to someone who actually knows what they're doing 🙂 most of the stuff in this vid is from grimfrost, it's the lead singer of amon amarth's company!

[@afterzanzibar]

@thestonecircle that's awesome. Yeah, I could tell it was viking because of the leg wraps! Very 1066/Bayeau Tapestry. Haha!

[@therealsnaily]

You need to try flows next, whether those are with maces or swords! Flourish them and make circuits out of specific movements.

[@thestonecircle]

Definitely!! I used to do that with sticks earlier in the channel but I haven't with the actual sword yet

[@donaldwashburn3739]

Great video!!! I have a loadable macebell that I bought about 2 years ago and maybe used 3 times. My shoulder mobility is not very good. I think it's time to dust it off and give it a real chance. Thank you, as always, for the awesome videos and motivation.

[@thestonecircle]

Hey I'm really glad you liked this one!! Training with the sword has been a lot of fun, I can't wait to get a macebell myself :)

[@John1mperial]

A random Mark Wildman appears! Hey, this was epic man! Awesome outdoor footages, straight out of a movie or video game! Now I want a sword 😅😂

[@thestonecircle]

Hahah yeah when I was trying to find pictures he just kept showing up everywhere for everything I typed in 😁 Really glad you liked it! It felt like real life Skyrim up there haha. The one I got was pretty cheap and feels indestructible! www.kultofathena.com/product/cold-steel-hand-and-a-half-training-sword Definitely better options out there if you want something that feels more like a sword and less like a bat, but this thing is nice for swinging around haha

[@creativetraininghacks]

Great video! I only have a training machete, which of course means a totally different fighting style than a longer sword, but still, I know from experience, how training with it provides a great additional new stimulus to my other training.

[@thestonecircle]

Thank you! It'd be awesome to see you working with that thing!

[@Southeastreb3393]

Feel like a mountain man doing all these club, sandbag and kettle bell lifts at my house lol. I love it. My question would be, how to incorporate all this in your training routine? 🤔Any ideas?

[@thestonecircle]

Haha heck yeah that's the best :) I'd probably stick with the sandbag days from this program and then you could either do kettlebell work in place of the calisthenics stuff or add it alongside the club work during the optional time at the end of the calisthenics workouts!

[@panopticonwillsaveus]

I have been into maces/clubs for several years now and made myself a long plate loaded adjustable club out of threaded pipe from the hardware store. Cost me about $30. I've probably swung at least 20,000 reps now with 40-50lb loaded on it and its still going as strong as day 1. I rate them highly for shoulder, forearm and trunk strength and general physical conditioning. They are an excellent supplement to sandbag training.

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thanks for the recommendation, that sounds like it wouldn't be too difficult to make! Good to hear it holds up after so long too, I might have to look into that

[@josephdculp]

Hell yeah, I was wondering when you'd get around to this. I've got a 4kg mace and a 4kg sword (lol its basically a leafspring blade welded to a tube), swinging those things is a blast. Probably done it for about a year, not focusing on progressing weight or anything, but it has left me feeling more mobile and physically capable. Great for warming up or getting the body moving on a rest day.

[@thestonecircle]

Hey heck yeah that's awesome! It really is one of those things that's just so fun, all the progression aside I'd just do it as a fun hobby regardless!

[@AlexPanther]

@thestonecircle i teach HEMA. What you are doing here looks pretty good so far, but there are limitations to how good you can get on your own with a longsword. A good alternative would be Montante/Spadone/Zweihänder. Greateswords offer themselves perfectly for training alone, because that's how they are used anyway. You can basically just get a strong, heavy staff (as long as you are tall), mark off the grip with some tape (about as long as your forearm), and you have a decent enough simulator to begin drilling. On top of that, there's plenty of easy to follow tutorials for it here on the tube. I think that would translate even better into what you are looking for in this kind of training.

[@thestonecircle]

Hey I apologize for the thousand little mistakes you probably saw me making haha. Thank you for the recommendation! I'm moving further out of the city in a few months and should have a lot more access to space where I can do this stuff, I'll definitely look into that!

[@yashuarazohr]

Damn bro. I've been watching videos about mace and sledgehammer training these days and you throw a video about it... Golden synchronicity.

[@thestonecircle]

Haha heck yeah!! Love when it lines up :)

[@AcceleratingUniverse]

you can check out suburito/furibo implements. they are modeled after a japanese sword but are heavy, so any nuances in the sword style get kind of lost anyway. cold steel makes one, but they're traditionally wooden and there's guides on how to make your own.

[@thestonecircle]

That sounds awesome thank you for the recommendation!

[@moosevillestrong895]

Believe it or not, I use to do a lot of similar movements to strengthen my wrists, obliques and shoulders specifically for baseball. Would slide weights down a baseball bat upwards of 50lbs total and practice full effort swings, etc. Rotational strength training is a very underestimated form of training! Very functional as well. I grew up splitting firewood with a 12 and 25lb splitting maul. when I got older, I realized how much specifically training those muscles and movements with progressive overload for baseball purposes actually translated towards my ability to split firewood. Never had to worry about green, knotty wood again! Lmao. This summer I got into swinging bats and taking batting practice again and realized how beneficial the whole body core strengthening and explosive hip rotation actually is for weightlifting and even stone lifting! If you ever decide to pursue this more, please reach out to me man!

[@thestonecircle]

50 lbs!! I'm not surprised with your strength haha. I'm gonna be moving in march and should hopefully have a little more space for working with explosive stuff like that I'll definitely reach out! That actually sounds like a really badass video idea if you'd ever be interested in being on the channel :)

[@moosevillestrong895]

@ perhaps it could be!

[@XXXIII-NOX]

Just did a workout like this with a fire axe for 15min, phenomenal work. Definitely gonna be a daily training staple 💪🏾⚔️

[@thestonecircle]

Heck yeah that's awesome!!

[@TrainingEverydayUntilIDie]

As I have talked about sometimes in the channel, mace swinging is probably my next goal. I'm just waiting to find and instructor and actually get better at calisthenics first. I mean to me it just seems like a great choice. Calisthenics + Sandbag/stones + Maces + Swimming will probably give you the craziest most functional back and shoulder muscles ever. By the way, if you're a fan of medieval fantasy, you should visit Spain at least once in your life. There are countless places here that look like they've come straight out of medieval times. Even to this day, around 2500 castles and fortresses are still standing all over the country. Imagine shooting a training video in a castle hahaha

[@thestonecircle]

Heck yeah I can't imagine a better setup than that!! Man I would love to head that way, It really is my dream to go explore a bunch of castles. It will happen one day :)

[@Anonymousdeletedaccount...]

when theres two minutes left of work break, 1 minute of minute of ads, and a new stonecircle vid just dropped 🏃⌛️

[@thestonecircle]

Haha heyy hope you like this one :)

[@David_Raab]

Looks awesome! I like your content primarily because i also have a similiar mindset like you.

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thank you I'm honored to have you here!!

[@kratoscraken5614]

Your lucky you live in or at least around the mountains, clean air, no people, no distractions so now you can gain pure actual strength 💪👍💪

[@thestonecircle]

Yeah it's really nice when I can make it up there! I still live in the city but I hope to move further into the mountains as soon as I can :)

[@kratoscraken5614]

@@thestonecircle agreed mate I'm trying to do the same 👍

[@SuperNictastic]

I have a sledgehammer I use for this, which I of course also use for slamming tyres with as well.

[@thestonecircle]

Heck yeah! That looks so fun, been watching Steve Calamars do that on his channel for a while, I always like the sound it makes when the hammer hits the tire haha

[@nielsnik]

You should try to train with a mace or sword wearing a weighted vest in order to mimic a warrior wearing an armor.

[@thestonecircle]

That's actually a really good idea!!

[@owenwright4927]

I’m glad you’ve tried this I myself discovered it after randomly coming across an Indian wrestler performing the swinging movements with a heavy mace his physique was insane especially his core I added it into my workout routine and when I’m not doing sandbag training (thanks for introducing me to that btw it’s great) I use the mace I do Calisthenics and I use the kettlebell it makes me feel athletic and strong at the same time

[@thestonecircle]

Hey that's awesome! Sandbag, mace, calisthenics, and kettlebells, that's a setup right there!!

[@owenwright4927]

@ it really is my friend hey just wondering as a suggestion for a new vid have you ever tried the candlestick movement at all ? It’s designed to develop core strength it’s been in a few movies Rocky 4 most notably I found it being used by professional Thai boxers it’s very understated as a Calisthenic core strengthening exercise if you have the time try it out 👍🏻

[@thestonecircle]

@@owenwright4927 I'll check it out!

[@brianbachmeier34]

Road to 100,000 subscribers. 💪

[@thestonecircle]

Thanks man!

[@sriramb01]

Sandbag/kettlebell lower body exercises for size and wrestling

[@thestonecircle]

The perfect combo!

[@snorelax3908]

Mace training is fantastic. My shoulders feel bulletproof. Started with a 6kg. A 10kg or 12kg is about where I will stay. Like kettlebells you can get a lot of benefits with a lighter weight and big volume.

[@thestonecircle]

Even just the sword has made my shoulders feel awesome, can't wait to get my hands on a mace!

[@stevecalamars7890]

😂again... so my recent deep dive and re-research with Pehlwani Training, specifically looking deeper into variations of the Dand and Sapate.... I've found these wrestlers work with clubs and maces as well 🇮🇳🤯... awesome adaptation in your own experimentation!

[@thestonecircle]

Hahah we keep lining up!! Your work with the sledge over the years inspired this a lot too btw :) I'm glad you liked this one!

[@stevecalamars7890]

@thestonecircle sledge, sword, Mace, Clubs = all fun options!!

[@nixniemand4802]

Have you thought about trying medieval mma, it seems very demanding physically but not necessarily very damaging depending on the armor and weapons used.

[@thestonecircle]

I'd love to get into that!

[@AlvaroAndresDiazToledo-zc5yh]

Also i want to tell you that you are getting bigger. Your neck is looking really strong. Amazing.

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thank you! I've been training my neck a lot more since I started bulking, and adding in a lot more bridging type stuff!

[@AlvaroAndresDiazToledo-zc5yh]

@@thestonecircle please search rice bucket training for grip. I think that you could like it. Dont judge it until you try. And thanks for always responding the comments in your videos. I really really love your channel. 👍 please continue with your great job.

[@thestonecircle]

@@AlvaroAndresDiazToledo-zc5yh Hey I actually just got a bucket for that, just need to set it up. I can't wait!! And thank you for being here I'll keep doing my best to make cool vids :)

[@scottallen2190]

Yeah, shout out to Mark Wildman! He’s the best in this area.👍👍

[@thestonecircle]

Heck yeah been watching some of his videos!

[@geomardomingo1672]

PRETTY DAMN COOL, MAN!

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thank you really glad you liked it!! Great to hear from you :)

[@MegaMaximus333]

Use to sword train a “fence” when I was a teenager. I was taking metal trades and made a training sword from iron with a steel pipe for a grip. It was heavy and help me develop Popeye forearms.

[@thestonecircle]

Oh yeah I bet that thing was HEAVY!!

[@MegaMaximus333]

It was. Wish I still had it. Got inspired by your video and got a cold steel Suburito bokken. Sap sucker weights 39.1. Feels good as it’s been years since I’ve trained. Adding to my permanent routine.

[@penumbramine]

i used to swing swords around all the time when i was younger but stopped when i got a heavy bag and got into boxing stuff (which i also no longer do lol)

[@thestonecircle]

Haha man it's so fun!!

[@penumbramine]

@thestonecircle the idea of training forearms, shoulders and neck all in one go is def tempting..

[@CorvusHanno]

It would also be cool to focus on grip strength , like Kaoru Hanayama from Baki ( now he might not be real, but there is a dude named Stainless Steel they did a documentary on that might be worth looking at)

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thank you I'll look that up!!

[@stormrhode2330]

Very cool. I have slightly mixed feelings, though. I started formally practicing kenjutsu almost 20 years ago. Usually it's the people who are new to swordplay who get extremely sore after the first several practice sessions. The decrease in soreness will be in part due to muscular development (especially in the forearms), but I would say it's largely thanks to skill acquisition. As technique, balance, coordination, control, etc. improve, so does efficiency. It's still a great endeavor and you can get a lot out of it, but if muscular development is what you're after, you'll get diminishing returns as you get better. But skill-wise, you should continue to improve for a long time. If you're just solo-practicing, though, it's possible that you're learning through poor technique, which could put undue strain on joints and the back. It's not a bad idea to take classes with an expert. I can't comment on maces and hammers, though. I'd love to get my hands on some, but haven't yet. We do have heavier practice swords (i.e., suburito) in kenjutsu. I imagine in HEMA they have these, too. Obviously there are larger blades once you enter the greatsword realm. Maybe learning these can prolong certain benefits. Last thing I want to mention, you can find some giant swords that are meant for an exaggerated practice. I got to try some recently (up to 20 pounds) and it was pretty cool. Anyway, awesome to see you delving into this. Looking forward to more! 😎👍🏻

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thanks a lot for the insight! I think you're right about this stuff, I had some recommendations for greatsword training being better for solo practice so I'm looking into something like that, and actual maces. a giant 20 lb training sword sounds so cool haha

[@stormrhode2330]

@@thestonecircle If you haven't seen them yet, check out the Ashman giant swords. I got to play around with these and take a couple classes (they were at the LA Fit Expo in January). It was some pretty cool stuff. Having a background in sword, I was able to move these around way more easily than a lot of the guys who were double my size. Still, far from easy! I'd love to get some of these to practice with, but they're way out of my budget. haha I'm not sure if greatsword is better for solo training. I think because of the balance and weight it might be easier to injure yourself. I would strongly advise finding a club or school that teaches how to use the kinds of swords you want and just take a couple of classes to learn the basics. From there you can probably work on your own without having to worry about injury. Watching online tutorials might help, though they won't be quite as good as in-person lessons. 🙏

[@DavidBreneisen]

I've been using the IronMind Heavy Hammer like an adjustable weight Indian club.

[@thestonecircle]

Nice I bet your grip is improving fast!

[@RoughGalaxyYT]

I didn't expect a training sword to be so cheap! how durable is that thing?

[@thestonecircle]

That's what I thought! You'd have to try so hard to break this thing. I have no doubt you could swing it full force into a rock over and over and come away with nothing more than a few dents haha. This material is tough!

[@RoughGalaxyYT]

@@thestonecircle I did want to ask you something. I don't see a specific section in your book, and I don't remember reading about it, but this could be a good question for a Q&A vid. How would you suggest someone warm up for heavy sandbag work? Any differences between a newcomer and someone intermediate or experienced in the bags?

[@thestonecircle]

@RoughGalaxyYT hey I'm actually working on a full video about that!

[@RoughGalaxyYT]

@@thestonecircle hell yeah! My warm ups are severely lacking and it's really slowing me down.

[@ParkourEh]

Really loving functional fitness expressed as just "doing" the thing. Functional fitness should be simple. Why are there thousands of variations of barbell/cable/kettlebell exercise trying to halfway imitate real movements when you could just be doing the actual movements? Nobody has time, energy, expertise to make up a personalized program like that. I initially intended to have gym workouts to improve my hiking over the summer, but time and circumstances pulled me away from all that. Luckily my job is outdoors and I had to do ~500 steps on a staircase everyday, up and down. Sometimes more than once. The result? Ended up being incredibly hiking fit. No weights, no "exercises" needed. Just did the thing with enough reps. I've been carving a warclub and have been using that to help warm up recently, and have been using a bow for reps for about a year now. Functionality is simple.

[@thestonecircle]

You're so right about this! Spelled out in this way it really does make it seem funny how much time is spent trying to break every movement into the smallest parts haha. a hand carved warclub sounds so cool

[@TM521HS]

Awesome! Would you programme this as seperate sessions or as a warmup for your sandbag lifts?

[@thestonecircle]

Hey I think it works great as part of the warmup with this lighter sword! With a heavier mace though I'd probably do it after the sandbag stuff or on a different day

[@harryv6752]

Gnarly! 🤘🔥🤘

[@thestonecircle]

Hey man! 🤘🤘

[@AndrogynousRatCatcher]

You should check out Martin Fabians longsword videos, especially the Lazy Longsword Workout. I think you might have a blast with them

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thank you I'll look that up right now!

[@FlatSkip]

So, how does one obtain one of these weighted training swords? Asking for a friend.

[@thestonecircle]

Haha this is the one I have www.kultofathena.com/product/cold-steel-hand-and-a-half-training-sword It's not SUPER heavy but it was enough to feel it!

[@destroyr0fsouls]

Hell yeah sword training!

[@thestonecircle]

So fun!!

[@levelronin8292]

Yessir glad to see it

[@thestonecircle]

Heyy glad you liked it!

[@levelronin8292]

@ i did like it but you should still get a real mace please

[@hatake4500]

do you recommend anything in particular for warming up?

[@thestonecircle]

@@hatake4500 hey I actually just finished writing out my full warmup routine! It will be out in the next two weeks 🙂

[@hatake4500]

@@thestonecircle I'll be looking forward to it

[@Cody_Ramer]

There is a reason the best exercise is the one you enjoy, because then you will actually do it regularly.

[@thestonecircle]

So true!

[@geneharrogate6911]

Mate, you should look into armoured combat sports. You'd dent some helmets for sure!

[@thestonecircle]

That stuff looks so brutal and awesome I'd definitely get into it haha

[@Indacut4545]

If you’re thinking about doing it,just do it

[@thestonecircle]

Heck yeah exactly why I said screw it I don't have a mace yet I'll just use the sword

[@macroxisff]

0:57 India 🇮🇳

[@bluecollar-outlaw]

I want to try this. Where did you buy a weighted sword lile that?

[@thestonecircle]

Heck yeah it's so fun! This is the one I have www.kultofathena.com/product/cold-steel-hand-and-a-half-training-sword

[@SaucedOso]

Hey bud. What is the weight on the sandbags you recommend on amazon?

[@thestonecircle]

The ironmind bag has a 300 lb capacity but you can fill it to anything. The top knot can be a bit annoying when it's filled with anything less than 130 or so, but I really like the shape and durability of the ironmind bags!

[@SheepWaveMeByeBye]

I read somewhere that shadow boxing holding a dumbbel was a bad idea, since the added weight impedes your technique aquisition. I don't know anything, I'm just a meathead, but I thought I would pass it on. Also, look up the guy doing ancient greek workout called tetrads here on yt. Might be a fun watch for you.

[@lihchong2267]

Dumbbells are good for guard retention, but bad for actual punching because the load just goes straight down. It turns punches into front raises essentially. You're better off using resistance bands.

[@thestonecircle]

Thanks I'll look that up!

[@jculbert2221]

I know you're a nice guy and just trying to be athletic but how wild would it be to come upon you doing sword forms in the bush in your vintage clothes 😂

[@StraitjacketFitness]

😬

[@thestonecircle]

Hahah you know it's the funniest thing. I got strange looks when I didn't have the clothes, whether it was 'sword' spinning with sticks or lifting rocks, but now that I do have this stuff I must look official or something. Everyone just assumes I'm up to something important :D

[@tadeusbruno]

How do you recomend to implement mace training to the training in the book?

[@thestonecircle]

Hey it could be done during the optional 10 mins at the end of the calisthenics workouts, and if the mace isn't too heavy you should be able to add some in on off days if you want, as long as you don't overdo the volume. I think it's great for active recovery! If the mace is really heavy though I'd do it sometime on the same day as the sandbag workouts, preferably after the sandbag stuff!

[@tadeusbruno]

@thestonecircle tks Cody.

[@hansnichirin11]

Hey Iranian here. If you wanted any information on ancient Iranian zurkhune training (mace training) just contact me on whatever app you wanted to I can be of help a little Or if u don't want me to bother I can just give you a little summary on how we do it.

[@thestonecircle]

Always glad to learn!

[@b9904]

Club Accessory to sandbag hypertrophy when? 😊

[@thestonecircle]

I have some work to do but I definitely want to work on something! :)

[@b9904]

@thestonecircle Great! I'll wait for it when you are ready to release it.

[@thestonecircle]

@@b9904 💪💪heck yeah!!

[@TheOakenwulf]

Do you name your weapons?

[@thestonecircle]

I haven't but now that you mention it I'm surprised they don't have names yet haha. I named all the stones in my yard 🙂

[@TheOakenwulf]

@thestonecircle Very nice. 😎

[@TheOakenwulf]

@thestonecircle also, stones can be weapons. 😁

[@thestonecircle]

​@@TheOakenwulfhahah true!

[@maxzhao8331]

very cool!

[@thestonecircle]

Hey I'm glad you liked it!

[@SwapperTheFirst]

Finally!

[@thestonecircle]

It had to happen eventually! :D

[@pfurlong2003]

Good stuff take a look a mark wildman great content!!!

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thank you I've been watching some of his videos!

[@pfurlong2003]

He has some great stuff , great simple methods to break stuff down

[@Cole205]

Soon he will unlock Bankai

[@thestonecircle]

Haha shit I used to love that show. I still hear that sound/music that plays when the hollows appear in those first few episodes in my dreams

[@Valoric]

Heavy sticks and rocks have been used as weapons for hundreds of thousands if not millions of years. It is THE original workout tool.

[@thestonecircle]

@Valoric hard to top a good stick and a heavy rock!

[@iangingell1622]

Knowing that a long sword refers to a two handed sword and not a typical one handed sword like video games and D&D have been consistently telling us for 5 decades equals instant street cred.

[@thestonecircle]

It's funny the things they change in games haha

[@eyalnoiman]

checkout Jacked Ginger channel for DIY mace - (youtube did not let me attach a link) instructions on how to build a loadable mace/club from pipes. works very well

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thank you I'll look that up!!

[@123495734]

looking like a world of warcraft swordfighter lmao

[@thestonecircle]

Heck yes haha :D My main wayyyy back in the day when it first came out was a dwarf warrior named Gravity, good times

[@123495734]

@@thestonecircle keep it up brother, your content is a really refreshing take on fitness - doing what you love because its cool

[@thestonecircle]

​@123495734 hey thanks I really appreciate it! That's it haha, just having fun, doing cool training things, it's the best!

[@Fwibos]

Welcome Welcome. Your life is kind of my squad goals. Also, have you tried HEMA Seriously if you live near me I wanna be workout buddies. ... Don't make this weird. Also there are tons of manuals for sword training.

[@thestonecircle]

Hahah hey I'm always glad to meet like minded people :) I've been on the wait list for the local hema place since 2020 :D I don't think I'm gonna get in. I do plan on looking again once I move next year though!!

[@Fwibos]

@@thestonecircle wait.. list? What?

[@thestonecircle]

@Fwibos the gym is full and there's a waiting list of a couple hundred people aha

[@Fwibos]

@@thestonecircle for swordfighting?

[@thestonecircle]

Hema school yeah

[@piotrswiezynski2025]

Friend dont limit Yourself to just one mowement and inkorporate more leg work also straight steel rod about half Your size in lenght and half a wrist thick works best for skill and power dewelopment

[@thestonecircle]

For sure! I was trying to mimic that one movement for the experiment but I'm definitely trying to do as much as I can :)

[@Fwibos]

A long sword weighs 3.5 lbs. Light AF You did great. Yeah, you should follow through, but otherwise you are doing great.

[@thestonecircle]

Hey thank you! Yeah this thing is way heavier than it should be haha. Gotta work on my form

[@FitFighter15]

Welcome to the 5000 BC

[@thestonecircle]

Haha :D

[@Amivgr1]

This seems to be the point where he finally lost it

[@thestonecircle]

Hahah that would imply I had it to begin with :D