Best bang for my buck

[Thomas Donnelly]

I am just starting out learning longsword and I would like some advice on where to find the most efficient source of information. I am in a position where I can spend $50-100 on resources and I would like your advice on which is the better resource - an ARMA membership, or the purchase of a few guide books from chivalry bookshelves. (probably starting with fighting with the german longsword by Christian Tobler)

If an ARMA membership will give me access to a comprehensive set of videos for beginners, I want to do that first, but it is difficult to decide with so little information about what members actually recieve on the website.

What do you think I should do?

[Allen Johnson]

You best bet would be to see if there is a study group near you. No amount of books or videos can replace getting out there with folks that actually do it.

[John Farthing]

I concur, see if there is an active Study Group near you. Then ask them about visiting or attending an upcoming practice. I'm sure they would be happy to guide you, offer suggestions, ideas, etc. This will also allow you to experience and observe firsthand, to ask questions and interact with like minded individuals who are training under a codified and established methodology.

Reading is an invaluable aspect of what we do, but there is a wealth of material available right here on this website for Free, which should more than suffice getting you started in that regard. You can always pick up books later on, and members of a nearby Study Group chapter can offer suggestions on which books might be best!

Solo training, while important, is limited and offers limited feedback. There is no substitute for the cohesive training opportunites presented within the group dynamic.
(See: http://www.thearma.org/essays/WhyFellowship.html)

Good luck!

[John Farthing]

If you are interested in locating a nearby Study Group chapter, the following URL will help: http://www.thearma.org/Practice/partners.htm

As for your request for videos, check out this page: http://www.thearma.org/Videos/Videos.htm

In addition to the many great training videos and demonstrative clips, I would HIGHLY recommend viewing the 10 part 'Renaissance Martial Arts Web Documentary'.

[Thomas Donnelly]

The nearest study group is too far for me to visit on a regular basis, that was the first thing that I looked into.

[Andrew F Ulrich]

Given the two stated options, I would recommend the membership. There's a bunch of videos, podcasts, and articles in the members area, and you would also get access to the members mailing list, which has a backlog of a ton of scholarly discussions and shared experiences.

That being said, it may take a while to process, and you may or may not be accepted (though I think if you aren't, your application fee would be refunded).