The Mugdar is a traditional Indian training implement designed around swinging, coordination, grip strength, shoulder movement, and whole-body control. However, the design of the Mugdar itself matters greatly. Two Mugdars may look similar and even have almost the same overall length, yet their handle size, diameter, grip profile, and balance can make a significant difference in how naturally and effectively they swing.

In this article, we will compare two common Mugdar designs:

• Mugdar 1 — Large Handle
• Mugdar 2 — Small Handle

The main difference between the two is not their overall length. The major difference is the handle length and handle design.

---

1. Mugdar Length: How Long Should a Mugdar Be?

One of the first questions people ask when buying or making a Mugdar is:

What should the overall length of a Mugdar be?

For a properly designed Mugdar, the overall length is approximately 32–34 inches, depending on the weight and balancing of the Mugdar.

Therefore, the overall length does not necessarily have to be exactly the same for every Mugdar. As the weight and construction change, the final dimensions can vary slightly to maintain proper balance and usability.

The important point is that the overall length and handle length are two different measurements.

---

2. Mugdar 1 — Large Handle

Mugdar 1 (Large Handle) has an overall length of approximately:

32–34 inches

The exact length can vary depending on the weight and balancing.

Its handle length is approximately:

8 inches

So, this design has a comparatively longer handle.

The handle may also have a stopper or enlarged portion near the end. This is intended to help prevent the hand from sliding outward when the Mugdar is being swung.

Key specifications

---

3. Mugdar 2 — Small Handle

Mugdar 2 (Small Handle) also has an overall length of approximately:

32–34 inches

Again, the exact overall length can vary according to the weight and balancing of the Mugdar.

However, the major difference comes in the handle.

Its handle length is approximately:

5–6 inches

The exact handle length can vary depending on the weight and balancing of the particular Mugdar.

Key specifications

---

4. The Difference Between the Two Handles

If we take the approximate lower values:

Large Handle = 8 inches
Small Handle = 5 inches

Therefore:

8 − 5 = 3 inches

So, there is approximately a 3-inch difference in handle length between the two designs.

Importantly, this does not mean that one Mugdar is 3 inches longer overall than the other.

Both can have an overall length of approximately 32–34 inches.

The primary difference is the length and design of the handle.

---

5. Why Is the Small Handle Considered Better for Mugdar Swinging?

At first glance, someone may think that a longer handle should provide a better grip. But Mugdar swinging is not simply about holding the implement securely.

The way the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow and shoulder interact with the Mugdar during a swing is extremely important.

With a large handle, a portion of the handle extends beyond the natural gripping area of the hand.

When the Mugdar is swung, that extra handle length can interfere with the natural movement of the wrist and hand.

The Small Handle is designed to remain closer to the natural gripping area of the hand.

This becomes particularly noticeable during movements where the Mugdar travels around the head and shoulder.

---

6. Unnecessary Pressure on the Wrist

When a Mugdar with a large handle is held around its middle, the excess handle can come into contact with the wrist or the structures around the hand.

During a swing, this can create unnecessary pressure or discomfort.

The practitioner may then unconsciously change the position of the wrist to prevent the handle from pressing into the hand.

This creates a problem.

Instead of allowing the wrist to follow its natural movement, the practitioner begins to adjust the wrist to accommodate the Mugdar.

With a properly sized small handle, the handle terminates much closer to the natural gripping area.

As a result, there is less unnecessary interference with the wrist during the swing.

---

7. Grip Is One of the Most Important Factors

A Mugdar is not simply something that you hold loosely and move around.

A strong, controlled grip is an important part of Mugdar training.

When you make a proper fist, the thumb should come across the fingers and slightly touch or overlap the adjacent finger.

This creates a compact and controlled grip.

The basic principle is:

The thumb should lightly touch or slightly overlap the finger rather than leaving a large gap.

This allows the hand to remain firmly connected to the handle.

---

8. Why a Tight Grip Matters

When the fist is properly tightened, the effect is not limited to the hand.

You can experience this yourself.

Make a loose fist.

Then make the same fist tightly.

You will notice that tightening the fist creates tension through the:

• Forearm
• Biceps
• Triceps
• Shoulder

This is one of the reasons grip becomes particularly important during Mugdar training.

If the handle prevents you from forming a natural and firm grip, you may compensate by loosening or repositioning the hand.

That can reduce the quality of the movement and the connection between the hand and the rest of the upper body.

---

9. Large Handle vs Small Handle: Grip Difference

With the Large Handle, the hand can technically form a grip, and the thumb can still overlap the finger.

So, at first glance, the grip may appear correct.

However, there is another issue.

The handle can interfere with the wrist because of its additional length.

Therefore, a grip can appear correct while the overall hand-and-wrist position is still not ideal for Mugdar swinging.

The Small Handle, on the other hand, is closer to the natural size required by the fist.

This allows the hand to grip the implement without unnecessary interference from excess handle length.

---

10. Why Handle Diameter Matters Too

Handle length is only one part of the equation.

The diameter and shape of the handle are equally important.

Consider the natural shape of a closed fist.

The fingers are not all exactly the same length.

The middle fingers are longer, while the smaller fingers toward the outside are shorter.

Therefore, when the hand wraps around a cylindrical object, the distance between the palm and the fingertips is not identical throughout the grip.

This means that a completely uniform-diameter handle may not provide the most natural fit.

---

11. Why the Handle Should Be Slightly Thicker in the Middle

A properly shaped Mugdar handle can be designed so that it is slightly thicker around the middle and comparatively thinner toward the ends.

Why?

Because the middle portion of the fist has greater depth than the smaller-finger side.

If the handle has exactly the same diameter from one end to the other, the smaller fingers may not wrap around it as naturally.

But when the handle becomes slightly thinner toward the end, the smaller fingers can wrap around it more effectively.

This produces a more natural relationship between:

Palm → fingers → handle → thumb

The result is a more secure and comfortable grip.

---

12. How to Determine the Grip Diameter for Your Hand

The transcript provides a specific method for estimating the appropriate grip size.

First, measure the specified portion of your hand—from the base/reference point of the hand to the top of the relevant finger/knuckle measurement point as demonstrated.

For example, suppose your measurement comes to:

10 cm

The method described uses approximately:

19.7%

of that measurement, with a broader range of approximately:

18–20%

The idea is that the appropriate grip dimension can vary from person to person because hand size and proportions differ.

Therefore, there should not necessarily be one universal handle diameter that is perfect for every practitioner.

---

13. Example of the Grip Formula

Suppose the measured hand dimension is:

10 cm

Using the stated 19.7% figure:

10 × 19.7% = 1.97 cm

So, the resulting figure would be approximately:

1.97 cm

The broader range can be considered as approximately 18–20% according to the method described.

This is intended as a way of relating the handle dimension to the individual's hand rather than simply using one fixed measurement for everyone.

---

14. Why the Small Handle Works Better for Experienced Practitioners

When an experienced practitioner swings a Mugdar, the implement should be allowed to follow a smooth and continuous path.

The hand should not have to repeatedly move out of the way of the handle.

With the Small Handle, the hand remains closer to the natural gripping position.

This allows the wrist to participate more naturally in the movement.

There is less need for unnecessary wrist adjustment when the Mugdar travels behind the head and around the shoulder.

The result is a more natural swing.

---

15. What Happens When the Handle Is Too Long?

A long handle is not automatically bad.

In fact, the Large Handle has certain advantages, particularly for beginners and for exercises performed with both hands.

However, as the weight of the Mugdar increases, the shortcomings of an unnecessarily long handle can become more noticeable.

A practitioner may initially swing a lighter Mugdar without any obvious problem.

But when the weight increases, the quality of the grip and wrist movement becomes increasingly important.

A handle that interferes with the wrist can become much more noticeable when dealing with a heavier Mugdar.

---

16. The Importance of Weight and Balancing

Mugdar design cannot be judged by handle length alone.

The weight, overall length, handle dimensions and centre of gravity all work together.

For example, a Mugdar may have an overall length within the 32–34-inch range, but its final dimensions can change depending on its weight.

This is why the stated measurements should be understood as design ranges rather than an absolute single measurement for every Mugdar.

A heavier Mugdar may require adjustments in construction and balancing.

---

17. The One Major Advantage of the Large Handle

Although the Small Handle is generally preferable for the natural single-hand swing described here, the Large Handle has an important advantage.

It can be easier for two-handed use.

For someone who is just beginning Mugdar practice, developing sufficient strength to swing a Mugdar with one hand may take time.

A longer handle gives the beginner more room to position both hands.

Therefore, a beginner who is not yet comfortable with one-handed Mugdar swinging may find the Large Handle more practical for two-handed movements.

---

18. Large Handle Can Be Useful for Beginners

The beginner's requirements are different from those of an experienced practitioner.

A beginner may not yet have the strength, coordination or confidence required to control a heavier Mugdar with one hand.

The longer handle provides additional space for the second hand.

This can make certain two-handed movements easier to perform while the practitioner develops strength and coordination.

As the practitioner becomes more experienced, however, the benefits of a shorter, more compact handle become increasingly apparent.

---

19. Why Handle Design Becomes More Important as Weight Increases

Imagine swinging a relatively light Mugdar.

You may be able to use either handle without immediately noticing a major difference.

Now increase the weight.

As the Mugdar becomes heavier, every small issue in the grip, wrist position and balance becomes more noticeable.

A handle that causes the wrist to adjust unnecessarily can interfere with the natural swing.

Similarly, a grip that cannot remain firm can make controlling the heavier implement more difficult.

Therefore:

The heavier the Mugdar becomes, the more important proper handle design, grip and balancing become.

---

20. Do Not Simply Hold a Large Handle From the Very Top

One possible solution might seem obvious:

Why not simply grip the Large Handle from a different point?

The problem is that changing the gripping position can alter the balance and centre of gravity of the Mugdar.

The Mugdar is designed to swing around a particular relationship between:

• Hand position
• Handle
• Body
• Head
• Weight distribution
• Centre of gravity

If you move your grip too far from the intended position, you change the relationship between your hand and the Mugdar's mass.

---

21. Centre of Gravity and Mugdar Balance

When you move your hand away from the intended gripping point, the weight of the Mugdar effectively becomes farther from your hand.

You may still be able to swing it, but the movement may no longer feel as smooth or predictable.

Instead of maintaining a consistent flow, the Mugdar may feel as though it is suddenly pulling in one direction.

This is why simply gripping the Large Handle from another point is not necessarily a proper solution.

The handle, weight distribution and gripping point are designed to work together.

---

22. Elbow Position Also Matters

Another important difference becomes visible during the movement around the head and shoulder.

With the more suitable handle arrangement, the arm can open naturally and the elbow can come into a more appropriate position relative to the ear.

The goal is not to force the elbow into a particular position, but to allow the movement to happen without unnecessary restriction from the handle.

An excessively long handle can interfere with this natural pathway.

---

23. The Problem for People Who Wear Glasses

There is another practical issue mentioned in the source material: people who wear spectacles.

When using a Mugdar with a long handle, the extra handle length can come closer to the face during certain movements.

If the practitioner is not highly experienced, there can be a risk of the handle contacting the spectacles.

This can cause the practitioner to instinctively move the Mugdar farther away from the face.

That changes the intended movement path.

Instead of allowing the Mugdar to travel naturally through its correct path, the practitioner begins to protect the spectacles.

---

24. Why This Small Difference Matters

These differences may seem extremely minor when someone watches a Mugdar being swung for only a few seconds.

But after performing the movement repeatedly, small mechanical differences become much more noticeable.

A slight change in:

• Wrist position
• Grip
• Elbow position
• Swinging path
• Centre of gravity
• Handle length

can influence how naturally the Mugdar moves.

This is why experienced practitioners often notice differences that a beginner may not immediately recognize.

---

25. Why the Small Handle Is the Preferred Design for the Main Swing

Putting everything together, the Small Handle has several important advantages:

• It remains closer to the natural gripping area of the hand.
• It reduces unnecessary interference around the wrist.
• It allows a more natural wrist movement.
• It supports a compact and firm grip.
• Its slightly shaped diameter can better accommodate the natural structure of the fist.
• It allows the arm to move more naturally around the head and shoulder.
• Its design becomes particularly useful as Mugdar weight increases.
• It maintains a more appropriate relationship between the gripping point and the Mugdar's balance.

For these reasons, the Small Handle is the preferred design for the main one-handed Mugdar swinging movements discussed here.

---

26. When Should You Choose a Large Handle?

The Large Handle still has a legitimate purpose.

It can be particularly useful when:

• You are a beginner.
• You are learning two-handed Mugdar movements.
• You do not yet have sufficient strength for one-handed swinging.
• You want additional room for both hands on the handle.

So the conclusion is not simply:

“Large Handle is bad.”

Rather, the choice depends on the practitioner's experience, movement, weight of the Mugdar and intended use.

---

27. Large Handle vs Small Handle — Complete Comparison

---

28. Final Takeaway

The most important lesson is that Mugdar design is not determined by overall length alone.

Both Mugdar designs can have an overall length of approximately 32–34 inches, depending on their weight and balancing.

The major distinction is the handle:

Mugdar 1 — Large Handle

Approx. 8-inch handle

Mugdar 2 — Small Handle

Approx. 5–6-inch handle

Using the 5-inch reference point, the difference is approximately:

8 − 5 = 3 inches

That difference may appear small on paper, but during repeated Mugdar swinging it can influence the relationship between the hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, grip and centre of gravity.

For beginners, particularly those learning two-handed movements, the Large Handle can be advantageous.

For experienced practitioners performing controlled one-handed Mugdar swings, the Small Handle provides a more compact grip and allows the wrist and arm to move more naturally without unnecessary interference.

Ultimately, the correct Mugdar is not simply the one with the longest handle or the heaviest weight. The handle length, handle diameter, grip profile, overall dimensions, weight and balancing must work together.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Mugdar Length, Grip & Handle Size

1. What is the ideal overall length of a Mugdar?

A Mugdar can have an overall length of approximately 32–34 inches, depending on its weight and balancing. The exact dimensions can vary according to the design and construction of the Mugdar.

2. What is the difference between a Large Handle and Small Handle Mugdar?

The main difference is the handle length. A Large Handle Mugdar has an approximate handle length of 8 inches, while a Small Handle Mugdar generally has a handle length of around 5–6 inches, depending on weight and balancing.

3. How much difference is there between the two Mugdar handles?

Using the 8-inch Large Handle and approximately 5-inch Small Handle reference, the difference is approximately 3 inches.

4. Is a Small Handle Mugdar better for swinging?

For the main one-handed swinging movements discussed in this guide, the Small Handle design is preferred because its more compact handle can allow a more natural relationship between the hand, wrist and Mugdar during the swing.

5. Is a Large Handle Mugdar useful for beginners?

Yes. A Large Handle can be particularly useful for beginners because it provides additional space for two-handed movements while the practitioner develops strength, coordination and control.

6. What is the best Mugdar handle size?

There is no single handle size that is automatically perfect for every person. Hand size, grip, Mugdar weight, construction and balancing all matter. The guide describes an approach based on relating grip dimensions to the individual's hand measurements.

7. Why does Mugdar grip diameter matter?

Grip diameter affects how naturally the fingers and thumb wrap around the handle. A handle that is appropriately shaped for the hand can provide a more secure and comfortable grip.

8. Should a Mugdar handle have the same diameter throughout?

Not necessarily. The design discussed in this article uses a handle that is slightly thicker around the middle and comparatively thinner toward the ends, helping accommodate the natural shape and varying lengths of the fingers.

9. Does Mugdar handle length affect wrist movement?

It can. An excessively long handle may interfere with the wrist during certain swinging movements, potentially causing the practitioner to adjust the wrist unnecessarily. A more compact handle can reduce this interference.

10. Does Mugdar weight affect its ideal dimensions?

Yes. The article's 32–34-inch overall length is a range rather than an absolute measurement for every Mugdar. Weight and balancing can influence the final dimensions.

11. Can a Large Handle Mugdar also be used with two hands?

Yes. One of the major practical advantages of the Large Handle is that it provides more room for two-handed use, which can be useful during beginner practice.

12. Why is Mugdar balance important?

Mugdar swinging depends on the relationship between the hand, handle, weight distribution and centre of gravity. Changing the gripping point can alter this relationship and affect how smoothly the Mugdar moves.

13. Is Mugdar better than a dumbbell?

Mugdar and dumbbells are different training implements designed around different movement patterns. A Mugdar's swinging action involves the relationship between grip, wrist movement, arm movement, body coordination and the implement's changing position. It should not be reduced to a simple “better or worse” comparison with a dumbbell.

14. What should I consider before buying a Mugdar?

Consider:

• Overall length
• Weight
• Handle length
• Grip diameter
• Handle shape
• Balance
• Your hand size
• Your experience level
• Whether you intend to use it one-handed or two-handed