Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

Sciurus-Rex · 08-25-2005, 07:12 PM

See poll above for question.

(And if you figure neither option fits your circumstances, then go find some other poll -- obviously, this one isn't for you.)

Mr Epee · 08-25-2005, 07:18 PM

Hey Rex!

I need to borrow some tape.

Cuz I'm ripped!

Inquartata · 08-25-2005, 07:20 PM

Well, it sort of works BOTH ways for me...

D+F+P=Hadouken! · 08-25-2005, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Epee

Hey Rex!

I need to borrow some tape.

Cuz I'm ripped!

haha, good joke. Did you get that out of the armstrong book?

ThatReallyHurt · 08-25-2005, 07:26 PM

Fencing has definitely helped me get into better shape.

I wonder how much of it has to do with wanting to stay fit to fence or wanting to stay fit so you don't have to throw out the $150 fencing pants or jacket you just bought.

mollusk · 08-25-2005, 07:55 PM

I fence about 6 hours per week. That isn't enough to stay fit. My aerobic fitness was going to h-e-double hockey stick since I stopped playing serious basketball last fall. Started biking again for ~130 miles per week at ~ 20 mph and started to do interval work recently after getting enough of a "base". Not too shabby for a 50+ year old on a nearly 20 year old bike. Things are looking better. Unfortunately the Fall semester has started and the time on the bike will have to decrease. This is not the program I would suggest for a young fencer, btw. Too much endurance/aerobic stuff that could hurt explosiveness. For me explosive things, like dunking a basketball, are WAY in the past. Tis better to do this, keep my joints intact, and have fun fencing at a lower level.

needle · 08-25-2005, 08:39 PM

One of the reasons I got back to fencing was to stay fit. The situation has turned around by now. I'm doing a lot more non-fencing physical activities (running, stairs, bike) to help me be in better shape for fencing.

rudd · 08-26-2005, 06:32 AM

If your a rec fencer, then fencing will get you moderately fit. Will provide some aerobic/anaerobic fitness, and some leg strength but do very little for your upper body and will eventually if not corrected create muscle imbalance.

If you are a competitive fencer you will need to do additional strength, conditioing speed and flexibility work. This is required for greater performce and injury prevention.

I fence twic a week at the moment and follow a Crossfit training protocol 4-5 days per week and play squash and do yoga once per week. In the fall fencing will increase to 3-4 times per week with a slight decrease of the other activities.

Ger

parrythis · 08-26-2005, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inquartata

Well, it sort of works BOTH ways for me...

Agreed. It's not either/or, it's both.

Bard · 08-26-2005, 10:34 AM

I am preparing for competition and have been working out six days a week for a year and a half. For me its all about being able to outlast your opponent

Zasha · 08-26-2005, 02:45 PM

bleh. poll needs more options. fencing improves my physical condition, but i also engage in other forms to improve my fencing.

pacer · 08-26-2005, 08:15 PM

Hmmm, which came first the chicken or the egg?

Sciurus-Rex · 08-27-2005, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zasha

bleh. poll needs more options. fencing improves my physical condition, but i also engage in other forms to improve my fencing.

No, it doesn't.
Pick the primary reason, the one that fits your motivation best. Don't dance around it like a brat at the ice cream parlor -- "I want this one. ... Mmmm, no. THIS one. Or this one. ... No, definitely this one..."

bmcfencer · 08-27-2005, 06:20 PM

But what if I feel like I need to get in shape for fencing and am working on that, but because I got to fence over the summer lost 15 pounds? I'm not in shape for a fencer (or dancer), but I look like I'm in shape.

Cerian · 08-27-2005, 07:52 PM

Fencing getting you in shape doesn't say anything about your motivation to fence. Yes, fencing will improve your overall physical condition and will inevitably be a component in maintaining your physical fitness, but that doesn't mean you are fencing for that effect. In fact, if you are doing things other than fencing to increase your conditioning specifically for fencing, then it is rather clear that fitness is no longer a goal for your fencing but a requirement for it. If you are fencing to stay fit, and you are staying fit to fence, then it's rather clear that you're also staying fit to stay fit, which is a pretty ridiculous way to justify your choices.

Morion · 08-29-2005, 01:56 PM

I'm over Fifty and my job is totally sedentary. I Fence in order to put off that first heart attack as long as possible. However, I have also started working out in the gym in order to improve my fencing now. So I guess I'm a little of both.

Julie · 08-29-2005, 09:19 PM

It's really circular. I started fencing to get some exercise, but now I workout to help my fencing and I fence to keep me motivated to workout. I think my motivations for exercising are pretty evenly split between general fitness and fencing improvement. I have a lot of different motivations for fencing, fitness being a small one.

Absolutely fencing is not enough exercise on its own, but it was the perfect place for me to start my long journey from completely out of shape to great shape.

Sisyphus · 08-29-2005, 11:27 PM

I admit it. I am lazy. I won't move unless someone points a saber at me. However, as I compete, I find it necessary to do other activities to supplement my fencing and keep me in competitive form i.e. jog, bike, lift heavy rock up hills. So I suppose fencing encourages me to stay fit.