We all know by now COVID-19 or Coronavirus has swept through many countries, forcing people to stay in their homes or to social distance themselves from others. As this has meant that many group activities, such as HEMA gatherings, have been cancelled until further notice, we wanted to show you how you can use this time productively and safely.
Training at Home
Most of you are in isolation at home right now but this doesn’t mean you have to give up your training and stop improving your skills. Obviously when in the home, choose somewhere with plenty of room, as the last thing you want to do is smash up your belongings. While at home without a sparring partner, you may be interested in watching HEMA related DVD’s. Our selection of DVDs is a great way to learn new fighting systems. We have a varied selection to choose from, so if you are interested in learning German Longsword, Sword and Buckler or fighting with the Messer, there is something for everyone. When training in the home also ensure that you are using a padded training sword to reduce the destruction of home décor!
Sword and Shield (Buckler) – DVD
YouTube and Facebook are also helpful resources when training at home. Both sites have a vast array of ‘Home HEMA Training’ videos to help you practise. Also perfecting already learnt techniques in the mirror is a great way to improve.
Going Old School
If you don’t want to swing a sword around in your home for obvious reasons such as limited space or not wanting to get yelled at by the wife, go back to the books. Learning theory can be just as helpful for your technique as physically practising. Isolation is the perfect time to brush up and broaden your knowledge of historical martial arts from ‘translations of historical treaties’ to ‘modern training systems’ based on historical resources. Whether you are just starting out in HEMA or a seasoned veteran, there is sure to be a book in our collection that proves of interest.
Maintenance
While there are no competitions or training, take this time to check over all your kit and equipment. By checking over your kit, you can see if it needs any repairs, cleaning or even an upgrade. It is also a good time to take stock of any equipment or gear you need to complete your set. Take advantage of our HEMA club member discount, where registered members of a legitimate HEMA club can receive discounted rates off Red Dragon, SPES and Hanwei to name just a few. If you have a steel functional sword you practise with, it may be worth checking out our ‘sword maintenance guide’ to see how you can keep it in great condition and make the most of its use.
We hope these tips have helped and stay safe during these times.