Indian clubs vs Persian meels - which is right for me?
If you’ve been exploring ancient strength tools, you’ve likely come across two classics: Indian clubs and Persian meels. Both are powerful, historical, beautifully crafted training tools—but they serve slightly different purposes, and choosing the right one depends on your goals.
Whether you’re looking to build strength, improve shoulder mobility, try unconventional fitness, or join a queer-friendly strongman workshop here in London, this guide will help you choose the perfect tool for your training.
What’s the Difference Between Indian Clubs and Meels?
Indian Clubs
Best for: Shoulder mobility, coordination, injury prevention, beginner swinging
Typical weight: Light (300g–2kg)
Training style: Flowing, rhythmic, graceful
Who loves them: Beginners, mobility athletes, anyone with tight shoulders, flow enthusiasts
Indian clubs are lightweight and ideal for learning swinging patterns. They’re brilliant for improving shoulder health, posture, coordination and joint strength.
Persian Meels
Best for: Strength, power, grip training, full-body conditioning
Typical weight: Heavy (3kg–10kg+)…we have a 14kg set at the Commando Temple!
Training style: Rhythmic, powerful, strength-based
Who loves them: Strongman/strongwoman/stronghuman athletes, kettlebell fans, anyone wanting functional strength
Meels are thicker, heavier and more demanding. They challenge your grip, core, back and shoulders in a way that feels ancient, rhythmic and meditative.
How to Choose the Right Tool for Your Goals
1. You Want Better Shoulder Mobility → Choose Indian Clubs
Indian clubs are one of the best tools on the planet for:
Improving shoulder mobility
Strengthening the rotator cuff
Warming up before lifting
Restoring tight or overworked shoulders
If you work at a desk or lift weights often, clubs will feel like therapy.
Indian clubs are ideal for beginners because the learning curve is gentle and the weight is manageable.
2. You Want Strength & Power → Choose Persian Meels
If you want something that feels like a full-body strength session, meels are your tool.
Meels help you develop:
Grip and wrist strength
Shoulder and back power
Core stability
Functional endurance
The rhythmic swinging builds strength in a way that feels both primal and meditative.
If you’re drawn to strongman, mace training, kettlebells or heavy clubs—you’ll love meels.
3. You Want Flow & Rhythm → Both Are Great
Both tools offer a form of moving meditation:
Indian clubs emphasise light, flowing patterns
Meels emphasise heavier, more grounded cycles
If you enjoy learning patterns, exploring movement and building rhythm, both tools will keep you hooked.
4. You Want Skill Progression → Start With Indian Clubs
Indian clubs help you learn essential patterns like:
Front and back circles
Mills
Weaves
Snakes
Figure-8s
Once you understand the mechanics of club swinging, transitioning to meels becomes much easier.
Think of Indian clubs as the foundation, and meels as the power upgrade.
A Queer-Friendly Approach to Ancient Strength
As a queer coach teaching strongman, meels, Indian clubs and Sang shield training in London, my philosophy is simple:
Strength belongs to everyone.
Indian clubs and meels are accessible tools for:
LGBTQ+ athletes
Beginners
Neurodivergent movers
People who feel excluded from mainstream gyms
Anyone wanting joyful, expressive, historical movement
These tools don’t care what you look like, how strong you are, or whether you feel “gym ready.”
You swing them, and they meet you exactly where you are.
Quick Quiz: Which Should You Choose?
Answer these:
1. Are your shoulders tight?
→ Indian clubs
2. Do you want a strength workout?
→ Meels
3. Are you new to swinging patterns?
→ Indian clubs
4. Do you want to feel powerful and grounded?
→ Meels
5. Want a tool you can grow with for years?
→ Both
If you’re split down the middle, congratulations—you’re a swing-tool human.
Final Verdict: Indian Clubs or Meels?
Choose Indian clubs if you want mobility, skill and shoulder health.
Choose Persian meels if you want full-body strength and ancient power.
Choose both if you want a complete, balanced training system rooted in traditional strength culture.
Whether you want flow, strength or something beautifully queer-friendly and unconventional, these tools will give you a training experience like nothing else.
Want to Learn Indian Clubs or Meels in London?
I teach:
Indian clubs training
Persian meels workshops
Queer strongman classes
Ancient strength tool 121 coaching
If you want to explore these tools in a supportive, inclusive space, you can book a session or workshop right here on my site.
