Fencing for Strength Training?

[mbelder]

I have been approached to do fencing as strength and agility training for athletes who do other sports like football and basketball. Does anyone have any experience in this you would care to share?

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Hah, yeah right.

Its fencers who do other sports to get stronger for fencing.

[RITFencing]

It would be more useful for agility training than overall strength, although if people need more lower body strength, fencing can be quite a workout on the legs, as I'm sure you know.

[oiuyt]

I would suggest that appropriate training routines involving such things as an agility ladder and free weights (not together :) ) are going to be considerably more beneficial to the football/basketball players than fencing could be.

-B

[Bryn Ralph]

In terms of ahtletic performance utilizing human anatomy and the laws of physics, consult Rolf Wirhed's work [on kinetics] entitled Athletic Ability & Anatomy of Motion, 2nd ed. This material goes beyond "strength;" rather, it deals with various aspects of biomechanics as well as review of relevant muscles and their associative functions.

[JasminaJ]

Thanks Bryn Ralph! I just ordered the book from Amazon.com.
It will be a welcome addition to my kinesiology book shelf!

[JasminaJ]

Oh, mbelder? I dance and do other sports. The other exercises are to strengthen me for fencing! Kickboxing was pretty tough. I got my lip split when I didn't guard. Along with the other stuff I do, I don't want to injur myself and miss fencing. Pilates and Yoga, and TaeBo , as well as aerobics classes pay my bills, and make it possible for me to...fence!

[xlr8]

I would not use fencing as a primary means for strength and agility training for football players. Perhaps as a change of pace or for some fun. There are other better, easier, safer and more applicable ways to develop strength and agility (in the weight room, on the track, and on the field.)

That said, I had been fencing for a number of years (yes, I took some breaks in between :-) and one day when I was out at the track running sprints, I was recruited to play semi-pro football. I joined the team and ended up starting at cornerback. Last year, I led the team in interceptions. So maybe there is a connection :-) Of course, I also lift, do plyos, run cones, sprint, etc...

[mbelder]

Thanks to everyone who replied to my questions. I'll let you know what our reception is from local pro-sports teams when we pitch fencing to them.
I'm sure there are agility benefits...strength is problematic.