By Mark Richards
There was a time when the corporate "team building" event consisted of a group visit to the nearest pub or, at very best, a meal at a basic local restaurant (more often than not followed by a group visit to the nearest pub).
The writer is not by any means a critic of public houses, neither of events held therein. However today in the twenty-first century we find ourselves reflecting upon some more novel ideas for getting people together, having some fun and creating bonds between people who may not ordinarily socialise together, or move around in the same circles.
Visits to theme parks, weekend trips, sporting events, paintball, sailing and yacht charters are just a small few ideas which have found some currency in more recent times. The concept is that if groups of people can share challenges, and get together to resolve problems or develop strategies as a team then it will help them to do the same in the work environment. "Bonding" was very much a buzz word not too many years ago. Nowadays a similar concept falls under the generic umbrella of "team building".
An increasingly popular manifestation of the team building idea is the semi-competitive sporting event, "sporting" because it involves some amount of physical effort as well as an element of healthy rivalry and "semi-competitive" because it is, after all, only a bit of fun.
We have already mentioned the game of paintball, and there are a host of derivatives of the same idea such as Laser Tag, that is paintball without the mess or pain. Quad biking is another endeavour with a pleasing element of competitiveness that has found a great deal of favour amongst some in recent years.
Another idea, most likely less well known but certainly very popular amongst those who have participated in it, is sword fighting.
Sword fighting, or sword fencing, is not nearly as scary as it sounds. Based on the sport of fencing itself, sword fighting "reinvents a noble art for the modern age". Qualified coaches arrive armed not only with offensive weapons but also with the required kit and clothing to promise a good, clean, spirited contest within a safe environment.
As well as providing an excellent source of entertainment, be it for the adult corporate event or for the children's party, sword fighting provides a valuable education and some training in an acquired skill. It is usually fun, with no heavy clothing or equipment involved. What hardware there is is highly portable, which means events can be held at a whole variety of locations without the need for any pre-installed machinery or facilities.
When considering a theme for a promotional event or team building enterprise sword fencing presents a highly attractive option.
Mark Richards is a professional writer working for The Middle Man, a business promotion service using its experience and expert knowledge of marketing strategy to generate important new business for its clients at a surprisingly low cost.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_P_Richards
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Updating Your Approach to Physical Fitness With Modern Sword Fighting
By Craig Harkins
One of the first steps on the way to physical fitness is making a commitment. It's often difficult to go from a sedentary lifestyle to making physical fitness a part of your every day life, the kind of thing you do as a matter of course, like brushing your teeth. One of the great things about exercise is that many report that after several months of concerted effort, the exercise becomes less of a chore, and more like an addiction. Exercise produces endorphins, which give you a "natural high." Avid sportspersons are familiar with this effect, sometimes called the "runner's high." One way to incorporate physical fitness into your daily life is to find a sport you enjoy to play, and use that as your gateway to physical fitness.
People do not often associate sports such as fencing with a "workout", but it most certainly is. Think about what the sport entails, though; once you have your fencing gear in place, you begin using a wide variety of muscles and cardiovascular strength to compete. Fencing also requires mental acuity and focus, which helps in making effective moves against an opponent. Using both the mind and the body energizes the individual, preventing boredom or tedium to overtake the workout. This is but one example of using a sport as a conduit to good physical fitness.
For those with a more traditional workout sport in mind, there is always jogging and marathon running to consider. Many books are published and Internet sites exist that detail training plans for beginners. No one starts out training for a 26 mile marathon, but plenty of people have humbler beginnings training for the local 5K cancer charity run. Identifying a charity run that comes up within 6 to 12 weeks is a great place to start; the added element of running for a good cause can provide an extra kick of motivation! And who doesn't need a bit of extra motivation when starting out on a new fitness regiment?
When you're establishing a new fitness routine, remain patient and have realistic expectations. Those who are overweight should consult with a doctor prior to starting a routine, if nothing else to be sure that everything is on the up and up from a health perspective. Realize also that establishing a fitness routine need not be rushed. You have a lifetime to build and hone your physical well-being, and the old adage that "Rome wasn't built in a day" is instructive.
Craig Harkins runs Fencing.Net - with resources on the sport of fencing and also has a fencing equipment store that offers a wide range of fencing blades, uniforms and other gear for beginning to advanced competitors.
Visit Fencing.Net to learn more about the sport of fencing and to download a free eBook: The Parent's Guide to Fencing, which provides parents with the information they need to see if fencing is right for their kids.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_Harkins
One of the first steps on the way to physical fitness is making a commitment. It's often difficult to go from a sedentary lifestyle to making physical fitness a part of your every day life, the kind of thing you do as a matter of course, like brushing your teeth. One of the great things about exercise is that many report that after several months of concerted effort, the exercise becomes less of a chore, and more like an addiction. Exercise produces endorphins, which give you a "natural high." Avid sportspersons are familiar with this effect, sometimes called the "runner's high." One way to incorporate physical fitness into your daily life is to find a sport you enjoy to play, and use that as your gateway to physical fitness.
People do not often associate sports such as fencing with a "workout", but it most certainly is. Think about what the sport entails, though; once you have your fencing gear in place, you begin using a wide variety of muscles and cardiovascular strength to compete. Fencing also requires mental acuity and focus, which helps in making effective moves against an opponent. Using both the mind and the body energizes the individual, preventing boredom or tedium to overtake the workout. This is but one example of using a sport as a conduit to good physical fitness.
For those with a more traditional workout sport in mind, there is always jogging and marathon running to consider. Many books are published and Internet sites exist that detail training plans for beginners. No one starts out training for a 26 mile marathon, but plenty of people have humbler beginnings training for the local 5K cancer charity run. Identifying a charity run that comes up within 6 to 12 weeks is a great place to start; the added element of running for a good cause can provide an extra kick of motivation! And who doesn't need a bit of extra motivation when starting out on a new fitness regiment?
When you're establishing a new fitness routine, remain patient and have realistic expectations. Those who are overweight should consult with a doctor prior to starting a routine, if nothing else to be sure that everything is on the up and up from a health perspective. Realize also that establishing a fitness routine need not be rushed. You have a lifetime to build and hone your physical well-being, and the old adage that "Rome wasn't built in a day" is instructive.
Craig Harkins runs Fencing.Net - with resources on the sport of fencing and also has a fencing equipment store that offers a wide range of fencing blades, uniforms and other gear for beginning to advanced competitors.
Visit Fencing.Net to learn more about the sport of fencing and to download a free eBook: The Parent's Guide to Fencing, which provides parents with the information they need to see if fencing is right for their kids.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_Harkins
Sunday, 12 June 2011
About Balestra Sword Fencing
We are currently undergoing an ambitious expansion which will see our products rolled out around the country in various forms based on our present, very successful products.
We specialise in introducing sword fencing to individuals and groups in a fun environment using the most modern equipment available, all with the long-term aim of increasing interest in the sport and generating participation. We also run our own weekly sword fencing club for kids aged 8-11 in Monton in Greater Manchester.
Our company motto is "Reinventing the noble art for the modern age", and we pride ourselves on our flexibility and adaptability and, as well as the products we advertise on our website. Some recent examples of our work are as follows:
* Shopping centre sword fencing promotional event - ROCHDALE
* Whole school day (150 pupils) + staff wellbeing session - OLDHAM
* Peter Pan, Literacy/Drama/Sword fencing cross curricular day - SALFORD
* Weekly classes for probation service - MANCHESTER
* Plus many, many others - contact us for more details.
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