 Ian Fox was inspired by Kill Bill |
When Uma Thurman, Tom Cruise and Madonna start brandishing blades, it seems the world takes notice. Recent films such as the Kill Bill series, The Last Samurai and The House of Flying Daggers have generated increased interest in swords.
Nottingham fitness expert Ian Fox has cashed in on the craze by devising a new work-out involving replica, foam-coated samurai swords.
And fencing clubs report greater demand than ever for beginner classes.
Lindsay Watkiss, captain of the Nottingham Cavaliers fencing club, says the biggest problem has become a lack of qualified instructors.
 | BEHIND THE MASK |
He says demand for fencing lessons started to increase when Madonna portrayed a fencer in the James Bond film Die Another Day. He says: "Fencing goes in and out of vogue like most minority sports, so we can be inundated with people when there is a film out like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
"Die Another Day made fencing incredibly popular.
"You probably have to wait three months to get on a course here."
Mr Fox, who runs his own fitness company, is attempting to capitalise on the interest in samurai swords caused by films such as Kill Bill and The Last Samurai.
He has devised a "katana" work-out which will be making its debut in London later this month, with courses to start in Nottingham next month.
 Uma Thurman stars in the Kill Bill movies |
"The films have generated interest in both the samurai and the way of life that the samurai created and gave to the world. "With the work-out, we are focusing on the physical element."
During the routines, which are set to dance music, participants clutch replica swords and perform a series of samurai moves.
And in the true samurai tradition, everyone is required to give their sword a secret name.
Mr Fox explains: "The ancient warriors of old would give their katana (sword) a name, because it represents the soul of the warrior.
"So we get our participants to give their sword a name which epitomises their warrior alter-ego."
There is no contact involved in the routines and the swords are made from wood and coated in rubber and foam.
"Even if you accidentally banged yourself with it, you wouldn't be hurt and you certainly wouldn't lose a limb."
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Get a fencer's perspective of the sport 
