Grew with Swordplay LA to their latest 3rd location 2026 down the street in 1130 W Isabel St, Burbank. Bigger, better, more sword classes . Currently taking longsword, small sword, Epee, HEMA saber. read more

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I joined earlier in the year to learn, not about fencing, but for stunt/fight choreography for film and tv. I highly recommend John or Tristan's functional film fighting class. read more

Guys, I have a secret talent: fencing. It is my calling in life and I am going to win a gold at the Olympics (us Hungarians are known for it). Okay, actually I don't know any of this for a fact but taking fencing lessons has been my dream forever and I can feel it in my gut that I would rock it! When a regular client of mine found out that I am obsessed with fencing and medieval sword play AND that my birthday was coming up; he was sweet enough to book a four-hour crash course sword workshop as a birthday gift. Can you imagine my excitement?! Watch out everyone cause I'm gonna now cut a b%@^h on the mean streets of North Hollywood! Swordplay LA has been on my radar for quite some time being located on Victory in Burbank; a mere three miles from my apartment. I have been tempted countless times to start taking lessons but one must take private introductory lessons at a fee plus unlimited group glasses per month thereafter are $118 and then equipment... basically, my poor ass can't afford this unless I start shagging a Sugar Daddy. Heartbreaking because I swear it is my calling! Anyway, when I found out that my class would be at THE Swordplay with THE Tim Weske... I was giddy with joy! Who is Tim Weske you ask? Oh gosh, you amateurs! Tim is not only the founder of Swordplay (Swordplay just got new owners in 2019) but a self-taught industry pro. He started as an actor turned stunt coordinator and fight trainer in Hollywood. This guy has basically trained every top A-list actor and actress (plus stunt doubles) and worked on most major films that involves swords, knives, etc. He's a legend... plus something about him is swoon-worthy to me but I digress.. I arrived at Swordplay which is a sort of industrial-looking building with a small parking lot (street parking is also available) and stepped into THE coolest-looking space. If you are obsessed with medieval history (which I am), then this place will be orgasmic to you. There are exposed bricks and brick wallpaper everywhere, steel and wood trim and plenty of swords, axes, and battle gear everywhere. Basically, you are transported back into time of the knights in a tilt-yard in England. I was already having the time of my life and class hadn't even begun, yet! Sign-in to the workshop was simple with a mandatory disclosure about injuries blah blah. You get the drift. So how was the class, you ask? Not only was this fun but I actually learned so much in one class! Tim began with an introductroduction and quick basic fencing rules/moves/poses. This quickly progressed into fencing with a partner with drills and actual sequences. Tim individually gave each participant tips and answered all questions without making you feel stupid or terrible (even though I probably sucked). He is 'chill' but a knowledgeable instructor while also boosting your ego which makes you work harder because you feel positive about your performance. After some fencing, class then moved into broadsword education. Now, let me tell you folks, those things are heavy even if blunted and I work out/lift at the gym for 2 hours a day, every day. It works your shoulder muscles and hurts your hand/fingers a bit. What I'm trying to say is that this whole thing is not fluff: it is a different sort of workout but you will feel it in your arms, inner thighs, and as a mental exercise as well (like chess). After a couple hours, Tim allowed us a break to relax, clear my minds, and rest our bodies. After which, we focused on longer sequences with fancier foot and leg work. Basically, this is all almost like an intricate, choreographed dance... it's so much fun! Our final lesson was almost like a college thesis/final project where we got to make up our own fight with a partner with 10 moves or less which we recorded. Overall, the class/workshop was not only fun, a workout, and a dream come true; but you genuinely learn a lot. Plus, Tim did well basically selling the business and making me want to take lessons at Swordplay even more than I already did. Speaking of 'selling'; Tim is not some car salesman that shoves packages on you and tries to oversell. He lets the facilities and his instruction speak for themselves which makes it feel less like they want your money and more like they genuinely care about you and that the decision is up to you. Very well done, Tim and Swordplay! Hopefully I can eventually marry rich and take lessons here but in the mean time I am so blessed to have met Tim and marked this off my bucket list! I strongly suggest anyone into fencing, sword fighting, and medieval sword play to at least attend a class or workshop here! You can partake in a intro class for FREE to see if it is for you and maybe you can meet Tim! This place is literally awesome and much recommended! But sorry, Yelpers, I have to dip on this review because I need to start training for the Olympics. read more

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Ambiance: Sport/Fighting gear Service: We booked Swordplay LA for a birthday activity and loved it. All the gear was provided in addition to introductory lessons. The instructor was very knowledgeable in the sport and gave tips and tricks as we went with our dual- maximizing our reserved time. We reserved 1.5 hours, though 2 hours would've been better to have more dual time. If you like physical activities that involve creativity and logic skills I would highly recommend this. Tips: Wear comfy activewear. If you're not used to sports with arm resistance you may have your fighting arm fatigue quickly. Be prepared to sweat. Parking: Lot in front read more

We did the jedi training for a bachelorette party and it was SO MUCH FUN! Casey was our jedi master and he was really great. I couldn't believe how quickly he put together a full on light saber battle for us. We had one hour with him in a local park and it was very memorable. Would def recommend. read more

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This is such a blast. I took an epee lesson and will definitely be coming back for more. They get you suited up and fencing right away, and you learn by doing. Super great workout. The staff there is really kind and lovely. A lot of the reviews were about young kids taking classes here, but as an adult I really enjoyed it too. The pricing is very reasonable. There is street parking, but it was open when I got there. If you're curious, try it! This was such a blast. read more

I booked a private stage combat class for my bachelor party here, and it was one of the most fun things I've ever done. It was me and 10 other mid-30s guys living out childhood fantasies, swinging medieval swords at each other, and laughing our heads off. I can't recommend this place enough. Our instructor Casey was incredible and matched the group's energy perfectly - showing us lots of cool moves but also helping us bring in our own ideas. The finale of the 90 minute course was a massive battle where I got to cut down my childhood best friend and his minions. Fun, hilarious, and unforgettable. Already thinking how I'd do as a fencer...hmm! read more

As a first time fencer the instructors are very welcoming, encouraging and supportive! And being the oldest guy in the building I try not to embarrass myself!! read more

1st lesson free! ~ 2 hrs. did a company team event here. fun and exciting. our instructor Chris was cool and demo very well. very articulate and enjoyed his lesson. parking in the back was confusing, couldn't find it. but parked on the street. easy to find spots. see our pic! Chris's pic is there too. read more

Swordplay LA - 1st lesson free - practice - Fencing Clubs Near Me - Burbank, California

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We went to Swordplay for my mom's birthday and scheduled a private light saber class. From start to finish, the Swordplay team was fantastic. Timothy was super communicative and quick to schedule, Mary was a fantastic instructor, and Victor was a great videographer! The class started quickly and included a really quick safety and basics section, and then we got right into the fun stuff. Mary created an amazing experience for the entire group-and I won't lie, it was a bit chaotic on our part. Adult star wars fans+quality light sabers chaotic. Great price, great experience, great location. I would give them more stars if I could. To emphasize, they are definitely a formal fencing space first, but if you are looking for a fun, star wars themed type thing to do for an hour with a few people, give them a call. They are amazing! read more

Learning stage combat and choreography is an essential part of any actor's toolkit. While the stars might get a six month intensive training with personal nutritionists and life coaches the whole way, there are often dozens or hundreds of extras and actors in these movies, and the more the rest of us can bring to the table from the start the better if we want to get hired. It's incredibly clear from the moment you walk in the door that you are in a real place of learning. Like so many places space can be at a premium, but this results in smaller class sizes with a lot of individual attention from the instructors (which is never a bad thing) The experience of the staff is obvious and evident, and the quality of the equipment is excellent, these are real fencers teaching technique, and that translates even to their choreography classes, where form, technique and safety are paramount no matter what weapon you're using that week. Like anywhere, you get out of it what you put in. The more *you* practice, the more *you* sell it, the better you're going to be, no one can do it for you. The difference is having teachers that know how to guide you to good habits, and who know how to push your boundaries, and that's what you have here. Every time I come out of this place I'm exhausted, sweaty, and sore in places that I didn't know were possible, but it is without fail the highlight of my week. Whether you're just looking for a nice casual class to have fun, exercise and nerd out with lightsabers, or you're looking for a place that offers four-day intensives that end in shooting fight footage for your reel, they offer it here, and I can recommend it wholeheartedly. read more

I haven't tried other Sword fighting places so I'll give that caveat. However, I have taken my kids to plenty of kid sport classes--basketball, baseball, running, gymnastics--you get the picture. That being said, I was really impressed with how this place is run. They are excellent at communication, sending reminders to make sure you know your class is coming up but also allowing you to cancel if you can't make it. Once there, the staff is courteous and the facilities are wonderful. You feel you are in a "sword fighting" haven, not just some gym that happens to do sword fighting. The instructors are all pleasant, knowledgeable and authentically enjoy their work, no plastered smiles or tired faces. We're going back to try the Silver classes after our free trial! Sam was our coach for the day. read more

I cant say enough awesome and amazing things about Swordplay. This place and sport is amazing!!!! First and foremost the facility is clean and looks cool!! It's a nice escape from the norm. In addition to that... the instructors and the staff are extremely patient. My son Daniel is 7 and loves it here. He always looks forward to coming and learning something new. I'm glad we got involved. If you're looking for a new, fun and challenging sport...I really recommend Swordplay! read more

Swordplay LA - Fencing Clubs Near Me - Burbank, California

This place is amazing. My son has been taking classes here for almost a year now and has learned so much. The attention to detail, and the incredible patience they have with him has truly made this a wonderful experience. read more

My 11-year-old boys just had a private STUNT FIGHTING class with Mary and LOVED IT! We don't live close enough to their location to take weekly classes, but we absolutely would if we could. Mary was great with the kids- she taught them them basics in a relaxed and easy-going way so they had fun but they really did learn some techniques (as much as you can on day-1). She made it even more fun for them by recording their "stunt performances" so they could show off at home, too. THANK YOU for such a great experience for the boys! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Swordplay LA and Mary! read more

This is one of the most unique places I have ever been to. And as a martial artist, I have been to many. The staff here is very friendly and they certainly know what they're doing. I couldn't believe how much I learned my first time here. And I hadn't even made a commitment, or shown any inclination to do so. Still, my instructor was extremely knowledgeable about her craft and gave me a pretty good workout in the process of teaching me some of the basics of fencing. They have a very flexible schedule and all sorts of programs for people who are just beginning, all the way to people who have been doing it for years. And for the amount that you learn and the benefits you achieve, the prices are very reasonable. And best of all, it's great for the whole family. Yes, even the kids. read more

SwordPlay has an awesome summer camp program. My son loves their Jedi camp. The instructors are amazing and the kids love it. My son really takes it seriously. He started the Jedi summer camp at age five. Five years later, his fencing skills are top notch. The training provided is real fencing even if the Jedi world is make believe. As he got older, he was able to join in the fencing camp classes and enjoy private lessons. Of the fencing styles, he chose saber and has private lessons with Ben C. whom I would HIGHLY recommend. Their new location in Burbank is great. read more

Fabulous team! They do great entertainment for children parties! My 10 year old son and his friends had an amazing time! Team members make it a hassle free experience, great energy and organization! Thank you read more

Great online classes during Covid. they offer classes for all skill levels and are very supportive and helpful. read more

My 10-year-old daughter has been taking lessons here for a few months. She looks forward to it every time- I think she enjoys the challenge to improve herself. I just started taking her to their monday night "open floor," where you can drop in and join pickup matches, as part of your membership while taking lessons or classes. This is a great resource that can double a student's fencing time. Anyway, the other day part of her homework was to finish the sentence: "the best thing about this weekend was..." and she wrote, "when my fencing teacher said 'good job'". I thought that said it all! read more

Summary: Excellent trainers, fantastically welcoming atmosphere, and I love stabbing my friends in the chest. Detail: This is a great-fun place to go work out and have a blast doing it. Obviously there is a lifestyle choice if this gets taken more seriously than I have, but that's not for me. The instructors are funny and interactive - each class is unique because of the relatively small number of folks attending and there is a LOT of dynamic information based on the level of knowledge in each class. I had a blast with my friend and this week I'm heading back with another friend just to enjoy acting like a baddie and fighting each other in a way that doesn't resemble backyard WWF and instead looks awesomely graceful / epic. GO HERE - enjoy yourself. You will have fun, you will go back for MORE fun. You might even pick this up as a full time hobby and they can do THAT too, but just go explore, and know that Swordplay is up to giving you a ton of fun doing it! read more

Fencing was on my bucket list so this was something I had to try and I'm glad I did. The people and instructors here are kind, knowledgeable and passionate about what they do. They offer a variety of classes that really work for my schedule and it's just really fun to pretend to be a Musketeer. Most classes are relatively small so you get a lot of training in the classes and you feel like you're getting your monies worth. This isn't all just fun and games either. Fencing can be a great work out as well, with all the lunging, running back and forth...you really do work up a sweat. The sign on this place can't be missed although parking may be limited. Highly recommend giving it a go read more

Bottom Line Up Front: This is a studio that makes learning fun. Instructors are knowledgeable and passionate about what they do. Come on, its what you have always dreamed about when you were a kid reading stories or playing video games made into reality. First Experience: My first lesson was with Ben who set me up with my first lesson in Saber. The instruction left me with a clear idea on some of the basics (of the basics) After that, for fun, I was thrust into my first bout where I could use some of the moves I just learned. And with that, I was hooked. I followed up my first free lesson with Sam who had me ultimately go into a bout with Victor, another Saber student who proceeded to trounce me, but not without me getting some beginners luck points in. All in all, the experience left me with a hunger to learn more and I walked away that night with a new hobby. Instructors/Scheduling: The instructors have flexible schedules that can work for most anyone and I recommend at least a few private lessons as one on one attention can be amazing when it comes to learning a martial art. The schedule is posted online and is pretty accommodating with different days and times for different disciplines. Sadly saber is only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but that's what private lessons are for. Convenience: Being able to go in in just normal clothes and immediately start fencing is convenient. You have access to the studio equipment, which makes entry into the sport very cheap. If you've got the money and the intent to go long term, it would behoove you to purchase your own mask and jacket at least. Parking is in the front and back, so no worries on street parking. Pricing: All the pricing information is in black and white on the website. No hidden fees, no mandatory uniform purchases, its all right there. read more

I LOVE this studio!! I attend the walk-in TV/Film Combat Classes and they are so much fun. You will learn a fight choreography sequence, movement basics, and various types of weaponry (daggers, rapiers, short swords, staff, shields, etc). The instructors are fantastic, friendly, and very smart, and you have the opportunity to film the fight sequence so you can review your work. Pretty much if you've ever wanted to travel back in time to honor your ancestors on the field of battle, this is the place for you! read more

My 11-year-old daughter has been a student at Swordplay LA for a year, both in person at the Burbank location (private lessons with Ryan, group lessons with Tyler and Laelia) and throughout quarantine on Zoom (twice a week private lessons with Ryan, Wednesday night group with Laelia), and truly loves it. With so many of her after-school activities getting cut away due to quarantine (Girl Scouts, farm club, etc.), being able to continue pursuing her passion for fencing has been wonderful but also has added structure to our weeks inside, giving her something to look forward to. Also, with PE options fairly limited with school starting, it is also excellent exercise (seriously, it wipes her our after every class) which she likes. Ryan has always been incredibly flexible in scheduling and always mixes up the lessons to make sure our kiddo is constantly improving on what she's learned in the past while adding new moves each time. Group lessons with Laelia then allows her to incorporate these into bouts with the other kiddos to work further on her form. Ryan and his team clearly love fencing and pass on that enthusiasm to their students but also individualize their instructions to get the best work out of the kids. My daughter has flourished at Swordplay and I can't recommend them highly enough. read more

Swordplay LA - (My daughter attempting to skewer Ryan) - Fencing Clubs Near Me - Burbank, California

Awesome! Had a 4 class 'groupon' & took advantage of it. First off - customer service - had broken my toe over the summer & couldn't start my classes til the coupon had almost expired - no problem, great start! My goal was to add to my skill set on my acting resume & have fun doing it. Mission accomplished! Instructors are smart, friendly, fun & your safety is their priority. Bonus - great way to release stress. You have to believably be angry enough to inflict damage on another human being, but nobody actually gets hurt. Win/Win. Go for it. read more

Had a party fencing lesson for 7 adults here (reservation covered up to 10) with instructor Adam. We covered basic foil fencing, and Adam even through in some stage combat at the end! We had a blast! 3 of our party had some experience, while 4 had none, and it was the perfect blend of instruction and unique games. Non-stop fun for 2 hours and worth every penny. Adam had a very clear, vibrant, energetic instructional style. All booking communication beforehand was clear and friendly. Hoping to do some drop-in classes soon! read more

My son has been taking private lessons here for about a month and we are very happy and loving it! He is getting better each week and always excited for his lessons. Coach Mary is patient, encouraging, and incredibly knowledgeable. It's very clean and safe as well. It's been such a bright spot for my son in the midst of this year and we couldn't be more grateful! read more

My son and his friend LOVE the swordplay class. I've also watched the fencing class a little. The staff are very good with kids. I wish I was a kid and could do the class as well. Great job.. Swordplay!!! read more

Fantastic fencing studio! Instructors are friendly, engaging and professional. My son went from knowing nothing about saber....to competing all through high school. There is a sense of community, acceptance and encouragement which helps these kids develop important life skills while simultaneously becoming proficient fencers! read more

I've been fencing since 1985, on and off (mostly off!) and I've been to quite a few fencing studios as I get back into it. I think Swordplay LA is one of the most warm, inviting and friendly places to France and they offer a wide range of activities to enjoy for kids all the way up to elders like me. Ryan and Mary and genuinely sweet people and really know their stuff. Fencing is a fantastic sport and this is a great place to learn it and hone your skills. read more

The short review: whether you are a total beginner with beast slaying fight scene fantasies or a pro who wants to learn a different sword or brush up on technique for fighting and filming, this is your place. Instructors are professional, knowledgeable, fun, responsive, and really care about their students. The long review: I took an eight week short sword class here and just loved it! I had no prior experience in swords, fencing, martial arts, dance moves, you name it. So, my trying to learn the moves was somewhat laughable at first (And I have analyst brain - great for spotting tiny coding errors, terrible for just telling you body to move this way and that way now go, I'm trying to piece together what every single muscle should be up to...). The other people in the class were really fun and nice so it's a good vibe. The instructors are absolutely amazing. They never lost patience with me even when I got stressed out over trying to remember choreography. They were always happy to show me moves and positions repeatedly and the thing I liked the most is that they clearly love what they do and are really interested in how people learn. So even when I would get frustrated, they would actually ask "What are you thinking now, do you know why you are getting frustrated? Can I show you or demonstrate something in a different way?" Coming in with some background in education and knowing people learn very differently, that is outstanding. They really want to help people learn and grow. I worked with Mick and Brent who were the greatest but we had other instructors from time to time and they were all great, energetic, and funny. I tend to have serious face so they were worried I did not have fun but I totally did :). At the end you get a video of your performance. Some of the students looked great and were absolutely convincing. While mine is not fantastic and I'm not going to be on GoT anytime soon, I have to relay that from my first class to the last, there was exponential growth, and that's what matters. I'm a professional musician and you don't learn to play an instrument in a day (or eight weeks!). I went for something fun but very challenging for me, and came out feeling like I had really accomplished something. That said, if you really want to learn sword technique, this place is the real deal. That's the great part. You can go as a beginner (and they have children's classes too which I bet are a blast for the little ones) and you can go all the way to pro if you want (or you can brush up or learn a different sword if you are already pro). They are all professionals and the main owner has trained a huge number of film actors and worked on multiple very well known high profile fight scenes (see their website history but it's all the real deal). They have fun historical stories too about the swashbuckling days. My last recommendation would be that if you are a total beginner, take a couple of private lessons before starting a class (I think they require you take one). They have cool deals too if you already have a partner to work with, but you can come solo as well. Go here, have fun! read more

We had our sons 7 Th birthday party at Swordplay and it was truly a big blast! Kids were so involved and into it !! The characters were just awesome and very well prepared. Thank you so much !! You guys are truly amazing read more

Swordplay LA - Fencing Clubs Near Me - Burbank, California

My son takes lessons and enjoys the sport termindisely. We toured other places and this place was the best. The management is very good and understanding to the pandemic. They have maintained regulation and supported their clients needs. Management and coach awesome and great to work with. The ownership is amazing. read more

My son has been taking private lessons with Mary for months now and it is the highlight of his week. He says to give them 100 stars. He is learning so much and loves the lessons. I'm hoping to do more group classes after the pandemic. Highly recommend them! read more

This might be one pf my new favorite places in LA! The school is great, the teachers are awesome! I've been going to the weekly drop-in classes and learning how to fight with all different weapons. I'm also enrolled in the 6 week rapier certification course for tv and film. It is such a fun class, you get lots of cool video footage and its very affordable! Come in and check it out one day! read more

My son has been coming to Swordplay for almost a year. The coaches here are very welcoming with kids. It is a great friendly environment for kids. Mary is an amazing coach and mentor. She is always so positive, patient and encouraging. She has very experienced, knowledgeable and professional. My son looks forward to her class. I wish she taught the intermediate/advanced class more often. Jacob at the front desk is also very friendly, welcoming and helpful. I have asked him several questions over the last few months..there isn't anything he doesn't know the answer to. Sam is an awesome armorer. He is always willing to fix anything and everything. Overall it's a great place! I couldn't recommend them enough. read more

Swordplay is in a fantastic location, and you've probably driven by it going to Town Center, the YMCA, or shops on San Fernando. There's a big sign on the front that advertises "First Lesson Free," and they're not kidding. After passing by here often I decided it was finally time to take advantage of that, and to take a step towards making my fencing wish come true. When you walk in the door, you're right in the studio. It's a large open room with mirrors on the wall to the left and seating on the right under a large picture wall. The owner, Tim, has been doing this for years and has worked in many entertainment projects, and it's fun to look at the pictures and see him in action with recognizable faces. Masks and Foils line the back walls by the door. The office area is in the back on the right and is open to the studio. There's always someone friendly there, and they'll be able to explain what everything is about, from what membership options there are to what classes you might be interested in taking. They even offer classes for movies, so when you learn the fencing basics you can learn to really swordfight, movie style! My teacher Sara was so bubbly and patient that I knew after my first free lesson that I would really enjoy taking classes there with her. When you sign up, you need to take four private lessons so that you learn the basics, like form and lunging, before you're unleashed upon other fencers. The fencing itself is really a workout! Fencing stance is mostly like doing lunges, you have to have a balanced stance with your knees bent out to your toes. After a while of this, and advancing and retreating, you're really going to feel the burn. Plus, holding your foil out, your arms will get shaky! But after you build up muscle and muscle memory, it's a just a matter of getting good at what you're learning. If you're looking for a good activity that provides cardio and building muscle, you'll really find fencing to be fun. It's not only a workout but it's a mind sharpener. You have to learn to outwit your opponent! Fencing also seems to be a good way to make friends. People come to use the studio to fence but also see their fencing friends. It's a very communal kind of place, everyone seems friendly and it's nice to know that the better you get, the more friends you will have to fence against. There's shouldn't be anything holding you back from checking out Swordplay if you're interested in trying out fencing. They even include the gear in your membership, so you don't have to buy and lug around a mask, foil, and protective wear. All you have to do is show up! read more

I initially contacted SwordPlay LA to inquire about fencing lessons for my son - I immediately received a response from Jordan and an offer for a free introductory lesson to see if he (my son) likes it and wanted to continue. While I haven't yet taken them up on the offer of the introductory lesson, I later emailed to ask if they do birthday parties. Again, Jordan has been incredibly responsive whether by phone or email answering all of my questions. On the day of the birthday party Ryan arrived early to set up, he was engaging with the eleven 11-year-olds. They all responded to him immediately (quite a feat, let me tell you). All participated and had a great time during the one-hour lesson. I noticed that just a few minutes in, Ryan had already learned the names of several of the kids. He was able to provide a great balance between safety, respect for the rules of fencing, and fun. I am looking forward to trying out the regular lessons at SwordPlay LA. read more

I really like this place. A friend invited me here for a weekly stage fighting class and I fell in love. TJ is a specialized instructor and has a very good class called "FIGHT LIKE THE MOVIES". It's great for actors, stunt people. or wild cards like me. I leave every class feeling super cool and we actually do learn moderate sword technique while also learning to rework our skills for the camera. Love it! read more