Oh, fencing

[DMan77]

I decided on a whim about 2 weeks ago to try fencing. I felt like trying something new.

I knew nothing about it and had never paid much attention to it when it came up in movies or books.

So for the last two weeks or so I've been lurking around here and reading up on the sport around the web, and I'm really starting to get into it.

I had my first actual class last night and it was a little overwhelming! I've played various sports my whole life, but I've never had to pay so much attention to my foot work, and my legs are still burning. I haven't even touched a sword yet, but I think I'll enjoy this once I get the hang of it.

[Fencergrl]

Welcome to the sport & the forum!

[Rockstar44]

Welcome (Heh, heh, heh....)

[Wetmelon]

*waves hand*

[Inquartata]

Hey, Demon77, in which Circle of Hell do you work? We may have met in the break room.

[TripleTTT]

Hey

Welcome.

Glad you have found the sport of fencing, hope that you enjoy your time here at F.net

t

[KidLazy]

Hello.

[divertodd]

Welcome...Don't know how old you are or what your recovery rate is I'm 52...those first couple classes ....well lets say I was a bit wobbly when I finished for the night...but I did sleep well. You get used to it. Stick with it and have fun!!

[ApAperture]

I decided on a whim about 2 weeks ago to try fencing. I felt like trying something new.

I knew nothing about it and had never paid much attention to it when it came up in movies or books.

So for the last two weeks or so I've been lurking around here and reading up on the sport around the web, and I'm really starting to get into it.

Awwwww... you're exactly like me! I pretty much dove in the sport too. Welcome.

I'm still in the baby fencer stages. Hope you stick around.

[BrianH]

Dman,

Welcome and don't worry about the leg soreness....it will only last until you retire from the sport.

[twohands]

Dman,

Welcome and don't worry about the leg soreness....it will only last until you retire from the sport.

Nah, just for the first 1000000 lunges

[d'marion]

Welcome DMan to greatest sport ever.

[DMan77]

Hey thanks for the warm welcome everyone.

Still sticking with this sport, but man, is it's not easy!

Finally started various footwork drills with an actual weapon in my hand.

So, on top of my legs feeling like jelly; my forearm, shoulder and palm (?!) are now sore.

Spent about an hour last night just extending the arm and advancing into a single strike. I have a habit of tensing my shoulder and locking my elbow. It's tough to convince my body to stop doing that, but I'm getting there I think.

[d'marion]

Spent about an hour last night just extending the arm and advancing into a single strike. I have a habit of tensing my shoulder and locking my elbow. It's tough to convince my body to stop doing that, but I'm getting there I think.

don't worry, it'll stop eventually. My coach told me this saying: it takes 17 days to break a bad habit. Then he told the class that in fencing, it takes 6 months, so far he's right.

[happyfencer]

Good luck with your fencing endeavor! It can be a little overwhelming at first, but if you use little rituals around it . . . I bow before I enter the room, though some may find that a bit extreme . . . it can become a very meaningful and calming experience as well as being good exercise and a great mental workout.

Again, good luck! Hope I see you in the Olympics someday :P

[happyfencer]

Nah, just for the first 1000000 lunges

Yeah, I'm told that it gets easier once you've put 10,000 hours into it.

[happyfencer]

Dman,

Welcome and don't worry about the leg soreness....it will only last until you retire from the sport.

But you get used to it. Kind of. Well, you learn that in order to fence you have to actually stay in the en garde position, which means putting the pain aside.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that it gets easier to ignore it.

[Fiat Slug]

Hey thanks for the warm welcome everyone.

Still sticking with this sport, but man, is it's not easy!

Finally started various footwork drills with an actual weapon in my hand.

So, on top of my legs feeling like jelly; my forearm, shoulder and palm (?!) are now sore.

Spent about an hour last night just extending the arm and advancing into a single strike. I have a habit of tensing my shoulder and locking my elbow. It's tough to convince my body to stop doing that, but I'm getting there I think.

My quads used to be sore after fencing until my coach gave me a stretch to do before fencing. Now they feel great. If your forearm and shoulders are sore, then you're too stiff. Your palm should not hurt unless you're gripping the foil too tightly.

I think there was a thread that suggested your movements should be fluid like a drunken monkey (I'm not making this up).

.

[dharmaqueen]

Welcome! Enjoy the burn!