Gada vs Mudgar vs Samtola: What's the Difference?
A Gada has a round, mace-like weighted head on a shaft and is used for swinging exercises that build shoulder and grip strength. A Mudgar (or Mugdar) has a more elongated, bottle-shaped head and is used for similar swinging and rotational movements, often considered the more beginner-friendly of the two. A Samtola (Indian Barbell) is a straight bar-style tool used for full-body lifts and presses rather than swings. All three are traditional Indian wooden strength tools, but they train your body differently.
If you've spent any time browsing traditional Indian fitness equipment, you've probably run into three names that all sound related but clearly aren't the same product: Gada, Mudgar, and Samtola. And if the product photos alone haven't cleared it up for you, you're far from the only one confused — this is one of the most common questions we get before someone buys.
Here's the definitive breakdown.
Gada — The Mace
The Gada is the most iconic of the three, deeply tied to Indian mythology (Hanuman Gada, Bheem Gada) and wrestling traditions. It has a rounded, mace-shaped weighted head on a long handle. Gadas are almost always used for swinging exercises — behind-the-back swings, overhead presses, and rotational movements that build shoulder strength, grip, and core stability simultaneously. They range widely in weight, typically from 6kg for beginners up to 20kg+ for advanced athletes.
Best for: shoulder and grip strength, rotational core work, traditional wrestling-style conditioning.
Mudgar — The Club
The Mudgar (also called Mugdar, Mudgal, or Karalakattai depending on region) has a more elongated, bottle-shaped profile compared to a Gada's rounder head. It's generally considered the more versatile, beginner-friendly entry point into this style of training, and is often used in pairs — one in each hand — for more symmetrical, rhythmic swinging patterns. It builds the same core qualities as a Gada (grip, mobility, functional strength) but with a slightly gentler learning curve.
Best for: beginners, mobility-focused training, building a foundation before progressing to heavier Gada work.
Samtola — The Indian Barbell
The Samtola looks the most different of the three — a straight, weighted bar rather than a club or mace shape. It's used more like a traditional barbell: squats, presses, lunges, and holds, rather than swinging motions. Its unconventional shape and weight distribution still challenge your stability more than a standard gym barbell, but the movement pattern is closer to conventional strength training.
Best for: full-body lifts, squats and presses, bridging the gap between traditional Indian tools and conventional strength training.
Which One Should You Start With?
If you're brand new to this style of training, most people find the Mudgar the easiest entry point — the swing pattern is intuitive and the weight range starts lighter. If you're drawn to the mythology and want to build serious shoulder/grip power, the Hanuman Gada is the traditional choice. If you already lift and want something closer to conventional strength training with a functional twist, the Samtola will feel the most familiar.
Many people end up owning all three within their first few months — our Beginner's Kit actually bundles a Mudgar, Samtola, and Hanuman Gada together for exactly this reason.
