Weight/Strength training as a fencer

[Peach]

Originally Posted by Coup de Grace

Does anyone have a particular recommendation to strengthen the tendons/eblow muscle of the sword arm? When I switched to Sabre several months ago (with glee...what a rush!), my soon to be 42 year old elbow has complained a bit. I ice it, rest it and take anti-inflammatories (Mobic), which work. But, I'm not certain if I am building the muscle around the joint.

I don't believe you can strengthen tendons, and the muscles which work the elbow are farther up the arm. I recommend a strap around the forearm to stabilize the motion, and some hard work on your form, because you don't need strength in the elbow for sabre; instead, you need to use it less. There should be very little of the lateral hard work which gives people tennis elbow. In your cuts, use your wrist and fingers, and make your parries light, precise, and only as deep as they need to be. If someone wrestles you and tries to force through the parry, let them do it at once, and after that adjust your distance. If you fence with a bunch of people who like to make big hard parries and/or wrestle with blades, work on disengages and distance.

I speak from experience. It was foil that gave me the tendonitis, but even after I switched to sabre (which should be easier on the elbow, not harder), it took me a long time to get rid of it.

[Coup de Grace]

Peach-

Thanks for the suggestions. I forgot to mention that I have begun to use an elbow strap for support. But I certainly appreciate the additional insight.