Last week we talked about Reformer Pilates as a new workout to look into. This week, we invite you into the world of fencing, the gentleman’s sport. Participation is on the up, says Sport England’s latest ‘Active People Survey’. We took a few minutes to speak with trainers Alan Grafton BAF and Patrick Clarke from Club des Artistes in Fulham, London, to share with you all the ins and outs of fencing.
What is fencing?
Fencing is one of the world’s oldest sports and the sword is one of the first existing weapons, but in recent years hundreds of clubs dedicated to the noble art of the duel are popping up across the UK.
There’s a 19th Century saying that fencing takes two lifetimes to master. But it doesn’t take long for the fitness benefits to kick in: powerful thighs and glutes from continuous lunges, speed and endurance as you outlast your opponent and improved coordination as your arms and legs must learn to work together harmoniously. You’ll develop the nimble footwork of a Musketeer, unwavering concentration and strategic thinking as you anticipate your next move and, of course, balance, dexterity and flexibility.
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How to get started
To get involved, first get to grips with the vocab. Do you know your coule from your coquille? Your foible from your forte? Once you have the terminology down, familiarise yourself with the rulebook and choose your weapon. There are three: épée, foil and sabre.
Training tips
1. Practice footwork incessantly.
2. Practice bladework incessantly. Alan emphasizes, “By practice, I mean repeat basic actions time after time after time and at a manageable pace so that EVERYTHING is perfect. Learning to fence is like learning to dance; a mirror can help.”
3. Engage in shadow fencing. Once the basics are ingrained by practice, imagine fencing an opponent so that footwork and bladework flow and merge smoothly.
4. Then fence better opponents.
5. Practice every day and “train” (i.e in a club) three times a week.
6. Compete.
Although the best training for fencing is obviously fencing itself, you won’t be in classes every day. Focus your other efforts on improving cardiovascular fitness with HIIT, building leg strength and working your weapon arm through racquetball or tennis. Some professional fencers even suggest juggling.
Pub quiz: Why does a gentleman’s coat button left over right? So that a duellist is able to use his left hand to unbutton it.
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