cross training

[drizzt_do_urden]

Again, this may be a stupid question, as I'm such a beginner at fencing, but... Has anyone here ever trained at some other kind of sword martial art - kendo, tai chi, SCA? And if so, have you found any of that training helpful or applicable to fencing, or not?

[Craig]

I've done some kendo, and while I could relate fencing to kendo and kendo to fencing, they are different enough that spending time on one will mess up your fine-tuning on the other.

Instead of focusing on other martial arts for cross-training for fencing, I would focus on other sports or exercises that will train the muscle groups you are using as well as increase your fitness level.

Popular cross-training exercises are:
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Running
- General weight training

I would suggest focusing on increasing leg and abdominal strength and doing specific weight training for arms and back.

When playing other sports/games, focusing on quick changes of direction will help you out greatly. That's why I advocate running suicides and doing strip suicides with footwork.

Hope that helps,
Craig

[oiuyt]

I do some foil as cross training, does that count?

-B :)

[135711]

mustering up the courage to write again. okay, i run or jog, it's for endurance, bone density, muscle toning; and if you use your arms correctly while running, aerobic. i've read alot about arms while running, and they recommend you try to keep your elbows and moving them anterially and posterially, keeping the forarms fairly parallel to the ground, and elbows should pass beyond your sides toward the back while running. i feel a little bit better.

going to another folder, but first, webmaster: what are strip suicides and running suicides? i've never heard of that.

[Strydus]

Strip Suicides. Yuck, I thought that was just something our coach made up as a torture device. Basically, you start at one end of the strip (hands always on hips) and advance to the first line, after which you retreat back to the start. Then advance to the next line and retreat back. Repeat until you reach the end of the strip.
Do this three or four times...

[Asche]

Whee, someone said the magick word: SCA. In sca, they have all these regulation laws and stuff saying that you have to be 18 before you can do any combat/sword fighting, so...I can't take any until next year. But I highly recommend it for those who can!

[lfortier]

Just curious- Do you do better in fencing if you have a well-toned, leaner body in competition? (I'm thin and in okay condition at 130 pounds and 5 foot 9 inches but was wondering if it would help my game any to lose some weight) Also, Currently, besides fencing I run and lift weights a little, but is this enough?

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Originally posted by lfortier
(I'm thin and in okay condition at 130 pounds and 5 foot 9 inches but was wondering if it would help my game any to lose some weight

5'9", 130 lbs and wants to LOSE WEIGHT!!??


Come on, gang, let's beat his gangly, pencil-necked frame to a pulp!!

[Craig]

Originally posted by lfortier
Just curious- Do you do better in fencing if you have a well-toned, leaner body in competition? (I'm thin and in okay condition at 130 pounds and 5 foot 9 inches but was wondering if it would help my game any to lose some weight) Also, Currently, besides fencing I run and lift weights a little, but is this enough?

At 5'9" and only 130#, you could stand to put on some muscle weight if you want to be really competitive against national level fencers. Additional strength training in the legs, back, and arms will give you a lot more power. You're already at a good place - instead of needing to lose some fat to trim down, you can either stay where you are or work to increase your muscle mass.

Cheers,
Craig

[135711]

thank you for handling the 130# person, i keep jumping around the board and fail to stick to the topic. Muscle weight, is sort of a topic in of itself Craig; first you put on a few pounds, not too much or you'll keep it all in fat stores; just a few pounds at a time, while you continue your training, then the weight becomes additional muscle. I've seen fat/skinny/and in between, i think the inbetween'ers do the best, they keep a consistent weight.

thanks for the reply about suicide strips. i just can't believe the names for these things.