No experience. No equipment. No athletic background required. If you want to learn, we can work with that.
01
Reach Out First
We don't take unannounced drop-ins — please contact us before your first class so we can make sure we're expecting you and have loaner gear ready. Send us a quick message through the contact page or email us directly at info@nhfa.org. We'll reply with class details and answer any questions you have.
02
What to Bring
Wear comfortable athletic clothing you can move freely in. Avoid baggy sleeves or anything that restricts arm movement. Bring water. You do not need to bring any equipment — we provide everything for new students including training weapons and protective gear.
03
Your First Class
Arrive a few minutes early. We'll get you fitted with loaner gear and give you a quick orientation before class starts. Beginner classes focus on the fundamentals: footwork, posture, body mechanics, and the basic vocabulary of the system. We go slow on purpose — building the right foundation matters more than moving fast.
04
Try a Trial Class
Your first session is a trial class. Come train, see what it's like, ask questions, and decide if it's for you. There's no obligation to sign up for a membership at the end. If you want to keep training, we'll go over membership options with you after class.
05
Join and Keep Training
If you want to continue after your trial class, you'll sign up for a membership. We offer monthly and annual options — see the memberships page for full details. From there, you show up to class, put in the work, and the art unfolds from there.
Common Questions
Do I need to be fit or athletic to start?
No. HEMA training will improve your fitness over time — it's a physically demanding art — but you don't need to arrive in shape. We scale the intensity to where you are and build from there.
Do I need prior martial arts experience?
Not at all. Prior experience can be useful but it can also come with habits to unlearn. We teach the art from the ground up regardless of your background.
What age range do you accept?
We train adults 18 and older. If you're interested in youth programming, contact us — we may be able to make accommodations depending on circumstances.
Which discipline should I start with?
Rapier & Dagger is our primary focus and where most new students start. Longsword is also available. If you're not sure, reach out and we'll talk through which is the better fit for you.
How long before I can spar?
It varies by person, but most students start light technical sparring within a few months of regular training. Full free sparring comes once you have the mechanics and the protective equipment to do it safely.
Is it dangerous?
HEMA is a contact martial art and carries real risk. We train with appropriate protective equipment and build intensity gradually. Injuries happen — bruises and the occasional sore wrist are common — but serious injuries are rare when safety protocols are followed.