Our classes are pedagogically structured and led by experienced practitioners. All classes are beginner-friendly. If you’d like to join in the fun for the first time, it’s a good idea to drop us a message first at gladiolusschool (at) gmail.com.
We offer training sessions in English/Finnish every week.
The big news is we’re moving! Starting from March 11, 2025, our new training schedule is:
- Tuesdays at 18 – 19:30 / Valimo Gym
- Thursdays at 18 – 19:30 / Valimo Gym
The new training hall is bigger and is easy to get to with both public transport and by car. Entrance via Takomopolku!
For prices, see below.
Note that by attending, you are agreeing to follow our Code of Conduct, which aims to keep everyone safe during training.
Our focus is on Fiore dei Liberi’s system of armizare, including wrestling, dagger and longsword. We work closely with the source material (Fior di Battaglia / Flos Duellatorum). We also make good use of materials produced by Guy Windsor.
Valimo Gym
Skill level – what should you know?
You don’t need to know anything in advance, and there’s no “minimum required fitness level”. The point is not to know, the point is to learn. Even if you’ve never trained anything in your life, do come and try swords! It’s actually pretty common for people to dislike sports but like HEMA 🙂
Both beginners and more advanced students are welcome. We occasionally have starter courses (enquire at gladiolusschool@gmail.com) but we’ll make sure you have a safe and productive start.
(Note: Minors should be accompanied by an adult at least to begin with.)
Equipment – what to bring?
For your first training session, all you need is comfortable exercise clothes: t-shirt and trousers (full length is best). We recommend flat-soled indoor shoes.
After a safe solo start we move on to pair practice, which involves protective equipment. The minimum for safe pair practice with blunts is a fencing mask (350N for drills, 1600N for sparring), and padded gloves are recommended.
We use blunt steel training swords and wooden or blunt steel training daggers.
We have some swords, daggers and masks to borrow, but as a rule it’s good to bring your own gear if you own any. And if you don’t know where to get some, talking to your training buddies is the best way to find out!
Membership and training fees
The annual membership fee is 50 €. For that you get
- … all the training sessions in a week (2 or 3 currently) for a 45 €/month training fee (*)(**)
- … access to the school’s Discord server for conversation and resources
- … reduced price on any special classes or seminars
(*) Also classes at SHMS are covered by the training fee!
(**) Concession groups (unemployed, students, pensioners) training fee is 35 €/month.
Pay the membership and monthly training fees to FI23 5720 2320 3245 22 / Gladiolus School of Arms.
You can find us in MyClub by searching for Gladiolus School of Arms.
For the general public, we have a Facebook group where all trainings are posted as events. That’s where you get the latest updates, such as cancellations or extra classes.
Send e-mail to gladiolusschool [at] gmail.com for more info.