How to choose between a 1" and 2" adjustable mace?
At Magic Macebells I offer adjustable/loadable maces for both 1"/25mm/28mm/30mm "Standard" weight plates and for 2"/50mm "Olympic" weight plates. There are a few key differences in how these maces work which may make one system the best for you!
It might be an easy choice if you already have access to one of these types of weight plates and you'd prefer to use what you already have, rather than investing further into more weight plates, but if you are starting fresh, then you have a choice to make.
In this article I will discuss some of the key differences between each loading system to help you make a decision!
| 2"/50mm Olympic Mace System | 1"/25/28/30mm Standard Mace System | |||
| How it works: |  |
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| Loading time: | 10 to 30 seconds | 30 to 90 seconds | ||
| Additional required parts: | Weight Plates Locking Collar |
Weight Plates | ||
| Loading Capacity: |
30cm length Up to 30kg with typical 2.5kg plates or 60kg with typical 5kg plates |
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| Effective length: |
Reduces as you add weight |
Grows as you add weight | ||
| Security: | Depends on the locking collar, some plate rattle may occur with low quality locking collars, use "Spinlock" collars for solid feel | Solid lock every time, zero rattle or looseness | ||
| Pommel: | No | Yes, 6cm ball | ||
| Stable base plate: | Built in | Optional loading pin upgrade | ||
| Handle diameter: | 38mm stepping up to 50mm for loading section | Consistent 38mm throughout | ||
| Best for: | Fast weight changes; ladder and drop sets |
Flow; where a solid feel and no rattle is valued Movements where the mace is gripped near the head, or hands are slid along the handle, ballistic curls, overhead presses, gravediggers for example |
The main headline is loading speed, if you value fast and easy weight changes and perform mostly classical swings (10-2s and 360s) then the 2" Olympic maces will be for you, if the a little plate rattle occurs and it bothers you then you can always upgrade to a competition spec "Spinlock" barbell collar, which not just clamps to the bar but also axially clamps your weight plates together, this is the style you want.
If you practice flow type and functional strength movements as well as classical swings with your mace then you will prefer a solid lock and a consistent handle diameter as found in the 1" Standard mace range.
