Are You A 'Star Wars' Fan Who Needs To Lose Weight? Lightsaber Fitness Classes Now Available
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Do you need to lose weight so you can continue your jedi or sith training? Why not do both? Take your "Star Wars" fandom geekery to the next level with Lightsaber Fitness Classes to help you get in shape.
With the hype for the latest "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in full swing, it is expected that themed items would be plentiful this week, including workout trends.
However, this class has been going on for eight years. According to ABC7, the Lightsaber Fitness Class is led by instructor Daniel Resier, a special education teacher. Fans or fitness enthusiasts who are looking for a fun way to exercise can participate, lightsabers in hand.
"Where's the fun of just simply watching something? I mean, you look at, say, a football fan. A lot of them are never going to be an NFL player, but they're going to go in the backyard and throw that football around. It's the same thing, but instead of footballs, we have lightsabers," Resier told the outlet. "It's a way of becoming part of something that we truly love."
Classes are reportedly being held across the country. In New York, the classes are held at the New York Jedi fitness studio. A class called "Awaken Your Inner Force" can be taken at the East Coast sports club chain in New York, Washington and Boston. Lightsaber Teams from San Diego and California cities also come together to do exercise inspired by the franchise, according to Live Science.
Keith Mylett, one of the founders of the fitness classes at the Hawaii Jedi Saber Academy says that the exercise involves cardio and upper body muscles. The toy lightsabers they use weigh at least 3 lbs. The exercise is based on fight choreography and swordplay basics.
The class begins with arm and wrists warm ups and then basic lightsaber forms and movements are taught. After learning the proper power, form, speed and aim, choreography is then taught by using a "number system" so it is easy to remember. It also makes sparring with a partner more convenient. The class ends with a short meditation afterwards.
Mylett's young "padawans" or Jedi apprentice start with a 36-inch lightsaber blade and a two-handed grip. Through this, they learn beginner techniques like the "Shii Cho" while the advanced ones learn the Makashi style which uses one-hand attacks. The Jedi-master level peeps learn the Soresu style, a Jedi defensive form.