No, the club will provide your starter gear and will coach you through the basics of gear purchase towards the end of the intro classes if you would like to purchase your own.

Eventually, all introductory students will be introduced to steel swords; holding them, swinging them against dummies, and the safety behind steel sword sparring. However, please be aware that using steel will be a privilege that you earn after completing your course.

Yes! Our goal at Waterfront Historical Fencing Club is not to turn you into a professional tournament fencer (unless that is YOUR goal) or into a sword-swinging warrior (probably not anyone's goal in 2025) but to help you create a balance of wellness, fitness, and exercise that makes you feel great!

You’re in luck! Waterfront MMA Academy includes classes in Muay Thai, Jujitsu, and Judo. Please stop in or contact us for details.

To participate in historical fencing we allow kids age 16 and up with a signature from a parent or guardian.

Waterfront MMA offers other youth martial arts for ages 7 and up.

Yes! We do drop in classes. Please come by on a class day and we’ll get you settled. Drop ins are $20 or $10 if you are involved with another Pittsburgh HEMA club

All martial arts involve some risk of harm. Sword-centric martial arts practiced with control and protective gear incurs no more risk than other martial arts.

Our club promotes safety and longevity. We do not celebrate injuries, and take the well-being of our clubmates seriously.

All class activities require the consent of all parties before beginning and involve various drills, games and sparring with training partners.

If you have specific safety concerns please contact us so we can discuss in detail.