What to Expect

Class Structure

Classes range in length from 1 – 2 hours, depending on the program, and generally include a warm-up, technical instruction, drills and a cool-down. Our classes are designed to scale to your fitness and experience level, so you will always have a challenge no matter where you are in your development.

Our Instructors work with students at various levels and on various nights. This will give you an opportunity to gain from different teaching styles.

What to Bring

Expect a thorough workout and come prepared for it, in appropriate clothing, with water and any additional snacks or supportive gear you might prefer or need for comfort. Tight fitting gloves are recommended but not required.

Who Can Participate?

The Academie’s youngest member is 8 years old, and our oldest is in their late 60s. We have men and women of all fitness levels, from reforming couch potatoes to conditioned athletes.

If you have any specific physical limitations or injuries you are working with, be sure to let our staff know so we can appropriately adapt the program to your needs.

Equipment

Academie Duello supplies students with weapons and protective equipment for classes and in-studio practice.  Blades used in the classes are unsharpened, and have a blunt tip.  Nevertheless, gloves are recommended when handling the swords, and a mask is worn for all full speed drills.  Additional recommended protective gear includes a throat protector called a gorget, and groin protection.

Further Instruction and Open Practice Time

Feel welcome to ask for clarification on anything both during or outside of classes from our Instructors.  A half hour of open practice time is also scheduled at the end of a class when students are welcome to spar and drill.

Try a free lesson nowAnother fantastic opportunity for practice is Academie Duello’s famous Fight Night, which takes place on Friday night from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.  Fight Night is an opportunity to test out what you’ve been learning during the week in full speed sparring and competition. Students also come just to practise their techniques with other students and instructors, either as slow work or at full speed.  An hour-long Youth Fight Night takes place between 5:00 and 6:00 pm on the first and third Friday of every month.