I'm thinking about taking up the sport fencing. Can anyone tell me anything about it?

Question

I just want to know people's personal experiences and know how strenuous activity it is, how hard it is to learn, what are the good things and the bad things about it?

Answer 1

I have been fencing for somewhat competitively for years now, and it is probably the one of the few things that have stuck with me for so long (other than school that is).

As a beginner, I'm sure that your leg muscles will get sore unless you also do something else that works out those muscles, especially your quads. This is mostly just from your muscles working in an unfamiliar way. Personally, I think I've been doing the positions for so long that I don't feel much stress at all now. Overall though, it can be a good cardio workout if both you and your opponent really try. That would also depend on what sword you take up (i.e. foil, epee, sabre).

It's not too difficult to learn. The basic moves and techniques are simple for everyone. It's just a matter of becoming fluid with them and winning after that. Think of it like physical chess; you know how each piece works, but you need to figure out how to outwit your opponent.

Good things? Well, for one, if you say that you fence, people tend to be a little more interested. Then you can joke about having sword fights with Zorro and saving princesses from fire-breathing dragons. You get to meet more people just because you have to fence them.

And the bad. It's frustrating. It can be really difficult to continue if you get on a losing streak. Whether it's because you're weaker or slower or just don't have the experience, it is a really downer.

And then the stuff that goes in the middle. This is a personal story, but I'd just like to tell it. Fencers tend to accumulate a few bruises along the way. This may sound like a bad thing to you, but I think it's great. I've heard three stories where people were asked if "things were okay at home" or if "their boyfriend was a good guy." And when people ask me how I get those bruises, I tend to joke. Like, I was attacked by zombies. Then there was, I was on my yearly trip to Africa to hunt for elephants for their ivory when a tiger attacked me and I got away with just this bruise. Really, it's fun.

Answer 2

Why dun you take up karate? You can't be bring weapons everytime and everywhere you go... Karate is different... You can use it anytime, everywhere and anywhere...

I'll recommend you Goju-Ryu Karate-Do... it's practical and logical...