Build Your Own Macebell

 By Brian Ayers, CSCS

The macebell is another unique training tool that has gained popularity in the wrestling 

and MMA world.  It has it’s origins as a training tool for warriors going into battle with 

heavy weapons and was used more recently by wrestlers in India where it was known 

as a Gadha.  Much like the club and kettlebell swinging exercises, the macebell is a 

great tool for increasing grip strength as well as dynamic shoulder strength and 

stabilization.  It is also great for creating a great deal of core work through exercises 

such as Levered Presses and Macebell Lunges.

The only problem is that because it is not a mainstream training tool it can be difficult to 

get a hold of one.  If you are able to find a website that carries them they are rather 

expensive.  The good news is that it is relatively easy and inexpensive to make with a 

small amount of materials.  I have seen several different homemade versions including 

attaching weight plates to only one end of a bar or placing a pole in a bucket of concrete

and allowing it to harden.  In my opinion these versions raise safety concerns.  The 

version I use is made from a bowling ball and plumbing parts.

Here’s what you need and where to get it:

- Bowling ball (you can check local bowling alleys for balls they are getting rid of or post 

  an add on Craig’s list.)

- Drill with a 1 3/8 inch Forsner bit (any hardware store, Home Depot or Lowes)

- 5 inch piece of 1 inch steel pipe (plumbing department of Home Depot/Lowes)

- 1inch to 1inch coupling (plumbing department of Home Depot/Lowes)

- 4 foot piece of 1 inch steel pipe (plumbing department of Home Depot/Lowes)

- 1inch steel pipe end cap (plumbing department of Home Depot/Lowes)

- JB Weld adhesive (any hardware store, Home Depot or Lowes)

- Tube of epoxy (plumbing department of Home Depot/Lowes)

- Wooden dowel the diameter of the finger holes in the bowling ball (Home Depot/Lowes)

- Can of flat black spray paint (any hardware store, Home Depot or Lowes)

The first step is to use the drill with the Forsner bit to bore out the thumb

hole in the bowling ball.  I use the thumb hole because it’s already the

biggest diameter and it’s centered in the ball.  Take your time and make

sure that you stay centered when you are drilling or the ball will end up

crooked on your macebell.  Continue to widen the whole to about the depth

of the original thumb hole then clean out all of the dust and shavings.  

Next mix your JB Weld on a paper plate using a plastic spoon or knife. 

Spread the JB Weld on the inside of the hole as well as on the outside of

the outside of one end of the 5" long piece of 1" pipe.  Insert the pipe into

the bowling ball twisting it as you do so that the JB Weld forms an even

layer and can create a strong bond.  You may need to tap the pipe in a

little with a hammer or mallet but be sure to place a block of wood or a

towel on the exposed end of the pipe so that you don’t damage the

threads.  Use a cloth or the plastic utensil to remove any excess JB Weld

on the outside of the ball.

While the JB Weld is setting, cut two small pieces of the wooden

 dowel and tap them into the remaining finger holes so that they sit just

 below the surface of the ball.  Then take the epoxy and fill in any left

 over space so that it is level with the surface of the ball.  Allow the JB

 Weld and epoxy to dry overnight.  

 The following day you can use some sand paper to smooth out the 

 rough areas around the pipe and over the finger holes.  Then wipe 

 the dust off of the ball and use the spray paint to coat the entire 

 surface of the ball.  You may want to do multiple coats allowing time 

 between for drying.  

Once the ball is painted you can assemble your macebell.  Use the coupling to connect the ball to the 4 foot section of pipe and finish by putting the end cap at the far end.  This not only serves an aesthetic purpose but also helps to ensure that your hand will not slip off the end.  Depending on the weight of the bowling ball you use the overall weight of the macebell will be around 10-12kg. 

I also make a smaller version of the macebell using duck 

pin bowling balls and 3/4" piping.  The process is pretty 

much the same only you will need a 1" Forsner bit to drill 

the hole.  It is a bit harder to drill because the duck pin balls

are usually more of a stone resin and there is no thumb hole 

so you have to find the center of the ball your self.  The 

only other difference between the small and the large

version is that I use a 3 foot pipe length rather than the 

4 foot length of the larger one.  This helps to maintain the 

weight distribution better.