4/22/2015 Updated review

UPDATE: Since my first class at Sword Class NYC over 9 months ago I have been coming nearly every week. I now have all my own equipment and will be traveling to out of state tournaments. Needless to say, I recommend Sword Class. The instructors are fantastic and the community takes "camaraderie" and "support" to a whole new level.



Here was my original impression from 7/14/2014:



I took the Beginner German Longsword class so everything I have to say is about that particular lesson. I took this because of my avid Lord of the Rings watching and general curiosity. Overall, I recommend taking it and I will be returning to complete the three Beginner Course series. Here is what I thought...



First, the PROS:



1) The class size was comfortable so you didn't have to worry about klonking someone else on the head (or getting klonked on the head.)

2) The instructor was very informative, kind, and altered the way he taught to fit the students. Specifically, he found out one girl was a lefty and always made sure he covered the reversed positions for her.

3) The hour went by super fast! As a person who would rather die of obesity than run a mile, it was a nice change to actually enjoy a workout...

4) ... And what a good workout! I felt myself working hard in my arms, shoulders, core, and legs. The next few days I had that great good-workout feeling in my arms. If you do this regularly you'll get Michelle Obama arms.

5) It felt like meditation. You spend a lot of time working on the individual strokes, getting the form just right, so it becomes very easy to get super focused. In other words, it is a workout for mind and body.



My only CON:



1) The setting is a little weird. It is in one of those studios where Broadway shows rehearse and have auditions so I came out of the elevators and was surrounded by hundreds of 8-year-old children and their Stage Parents doing their things. If you don't mind this crowd watching the workout from the windows then you're good.