If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to step into a real lightsaber duel—and get a full-body workout while doing it—Ludosport Missouri has you covered. Led locally by instructor and co-owner Josh Ekstrom, Ludosport brings a 20-year-old Italian-born lightsaber martial art to the Midwest, blending global competition, community-driven training, and a robust fitness experience.
“I actually tripped across it on social media,” Ekstrom says. “I was looking at getting into something like fencing and some other sports. The thing that really drew me to this was the community. It seemed like a community of people who really supported each other, and it is.”
Founded in 2006 in Italy, the disciplined martial arts system draws on principles of established sword forms like fencing, longsword, and kendo, resulting in a combat sport that, yes, uses the iconic lightsaber from a certain space opera franchise that debuted in 1977. Less than two decades later, ludosport has evolved into a fully structured international discipline with schools and competitive circuits worldwide.
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Students progress through a series of ranks, or “forms,” which provide a structured approach to dueling. With each form, they gain new techniques—everything from refined footwork to more advanced acrobatics, rolls, and jumps.
“It’s a great cardio workout. Not necessarily strength, but cardio, mobility, flexibility—it works all of those things,” Ekstrom says. “Don’t get me wrong, I love strength training, but I imagine those things are probably better suited later in life.”
Although Ludosport has been active in St. Louis since 2018, Ekstrom recently stepped in as one of the new co-owners after the opportunity arose earlier this year. Ludosport Missouri currently welcomes about three dozen active students in St. Louis, with approximately 200 nationwide.
Competition is regional, national, and international, and Ludosport Missouri recently sent off one of its students to compete in London. Back at home, they host beginner classes every Saturday and Sunday, with a $10, two-hour discovery class that introduces the basics to curious practitioners. Memberships start at $99 per month.
“The two things about this when it comes to fitness are that you find yourself having more fun than actually going to the gym and working out, and every single person I’ve ever met only wants people to succeed,” Ekstrom says.
The company recently changed its name from Ludosport St. Louis because Ekstrom and team see tremendous growth ahead. They’re currently based at Mid Rivers Mall but are eyeing opportunities in downtown St. Louis and along I-70 and I-44. Ekstrom points out that participants can become instructors very quickly—typically after a 40-hour, week-long intensive—and begin teaching as soon as they pass their first form. The Ludosport Missouri team is actively searching for partners interested in growing this new and exciting sport.
As the sport expands locally, Ekstrom hopes that participants walk with a better understanding of their body and a feeling of belonging.
“Especially in today’s day-to-day, everyone can get on social media and find themselves with fake connections,” he says. “They’re super isolated. When you go to a ludosport class regularly and see each other grow through these ranks, it really builds a sense of camaraderie.”
