Wrestling was the most widespread of sports during the Viking era. It was practiced in all classes of society. Women participated in wrestling too. Wherever Vikings gathered wrestling was a part of the entertainment. Thor was the god of wrestling and wrestling was even written into the system of laws.

Glima is practised with fixed grips or with free gripping. The fixed grip is taken either behind the opponent’s back (Back-hold) or at the opponent’s belt and trousers (Trouser-grip).

In Hryggspennu-tök or “Back-hold” the person who first touches the ground with anything other than the feet or who lets go of his/her hold has lost the game.

The Brokar-tök or “Trouser-grip” is the most advanced style in Glima and is therefore very difficult to master.

The Glima style that allows the use of all the grips you can take is called Lausa-tök or “Free gripping” and is very similar to Combat Glima.

he aim with Combat Glima is to be the fighter standing when the other fighter is lying down