Not having been there for over four decades, I went to Italy last year to research the last novel in my Time Rose series. My son went, too (to research film stuff), and one of the places we visited was the Gruppo Storico Romano’s (Roman History Group’s) gladiator school in Rome. I sat out the ‘training session’, preferring to claim the role of a wealthy domina cheering on her favourite, who the lanista (instructor) said acquitted himself well. There’s a nice little Roman museum there, too, so if you happen to be in Rome with kids (or even on your own), you should definitely try to take it in.
http://ciaobambino.com/rome-with-kids-activities-gladiator-school/
http://www.gruppostoricoromano.it/en/activities-and-shows/gladiator-for-a-day/
Time Travelling With Kids 