Why People Fence
People Fence Because:
* It's fun and it's exciting!
* To meet interesting people.
* To exercise without being bored.
* To find a great recreational or competitive sport.
* A fencer may fence hard or easy. Just match up with a similar opponent.
* No need to purchase equipment as a beginner.
* It's fun and it's exciting!
* To meet interesting people.
* To exercise without being bored.
* To find a great recreational or competitive sport.
* A fencer may fence hard or easy. Just match up with a similar opponent.
* No need to purchase equipment as a beginner.
One may say, without exaggeration, that fencing is one of the most enjoyable of sports. In short, a fencer not only fences with his body, he must fence with his head. The continual demands that fencing makes on the resourcefulness of the players gives it a subtle and enduring charm. The unforeseen emergencies which must be faced, and the varied styles that one encounters in fencing different opponents, makes fencing the least mechanical and the least monotonous of all sports. But best of all, fencers are made at the Minnesota Sword Club. No prior skills are required, only the desire to become a fencer.
Fencing requires the synthesis and development of many skills - tempo awareness, hand-eye coordination, dexterity, speed, muscle relaxation, anticipation and tactics, to name but a few. A good fencer is characterized by a conscious, steady attentiveness to the many threatening fencing actions provided by her/his opponent. This attentiveness can be focused from one to another of these fencing actions at will. True fencing consists of analyzing and understanding an opponent's plan of attack by instantaneously assimilating and evaluating her/his actions, then acting upon this knowledge as a basis for one's own plan of attack. This all occurs after years of training. At first these skills develop slowly but awareness increases with time.
As a means of staying physically conditioned, sports medicine research has shown that fencing is an aerobic activity that builds endurance and strength while stimulating the overall cardiovascular system. Perhaps more importantly, fencing taxes one's thought processes so much that one develops strength and cardiovascular fitness almost without realizing it. Mental alertness is such a prime ingredient in successful fencing that it is no exaggeration to state that a fencer must focus all of her/his attention upon the bout; one can literally think of nothing else but response/counter-response until the bout is over. With such a high level of mental involvement, the fencer is not concentrating on how much work is being undertaken and how much energy is being expended. In other sports, lack of continuous mental involvement limits the physical workout - often tedium and boredom set in before the individual has reached her/his limits. Fencers get fit as a side effect of their playing rather than getting a bit of enjoyment from an otherwise grueling physical ordeal. A fencer, then, uses the physical attributes of her/his body to carry out a (hopefully) well-thought-out course of action (which must be continually updated in response to an opponent's response). Fencing is the epitome of the mind and body working together harmoniously for the accomplishment of a goal. In addition, fencing can be continued with great success even into old age. What the competitor loses in physical attributes is often more than compensated for by her/his understanding and mastery of the combative situations. As for safety, it has been shown that fencing is safer than tennis, basketball and much safer than football and hockey. Truly, fencing can be a lifelong, rewarding sport for anyone 8 to 80.
Fencing requires the synthesis and development of many skills - tempo awareness, hand-eye coordination, dexterity, speed, muscle relaxation, anticipation and tactics, to name but a few. A good fencer is characterized by a conscious, steady attentiveness to the many threatening fencing actions provided by her/his opponent. This attentiveness can be focused from one to another of these fencing actions at will. True fencing consists of analyzing and understanding an opponent's plan of attack by instantaneously assimilating and evaluating her/his actions, then acting upon this knowledge as a basis for one's own plan of attack. This all occurs after years of training. At first these skills develop slowly but awareness increases with time.
As a means of staying physically conditioned, sports medicine research has shown that fencing is an aerobic activity that builds endurance and strength while stimulating the overall cardiovascular system. Perhaps more importantly, fencing taxes one's thought processes so much that one develops strength and cardiovascular fitness almost without realizing it. Mental alertness is such a prime ingredient in successful fencing that it is no exaggeration to state that a fencer must focus all of her/his attention upon the bout; one can literally think of nothing else but response/counter-response until the bout is over. With such a high level of mental involvement, the fencer is not concentrating on how much work is being undertaken and how much energy is being expended. In other sports, lack of continuous mental involvement limits the physical workout - often tedium and boredom set in before the individual has reached her/his limits. Fencers get fit as a side effect of their playing rather than getting a bit of enjoyment from an otherwise grueling physical ordeal. A fencer, then, uses the physical attributes of her/his body to carry out a (hopefully) well-thought-out course of action (which must be continually updated in response to an opponent's response). Fencing is the epitome of the mind and body working together harmoniously for the accomplishment of a goal. In addition, fencing can be continued with great success even into old age. What the competitor loses in physical attributes is often more than compensated for by her/his understanding and mastery of the combative situations. As for safety, it has been shown that fencing is safer than tennis, basketball and much safer than football and hockey. Truly, fencing can be a lifelong, rewarding sport for anyone 8 to 80.
TEN OF THE BEST REASONS TO EXERCISE
By James Peterson, Ph.D., FACSM
From ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal
1. Exercise improves the quality of your life
The old adage, “add life to your years, as well as years to your life by exercise” has considerable merit. A properly designed exercise program will give you more energy to do the activities you enjoy and will enhance your functional capability to do the things you like to do at home, work, and play.
2. Exercise relieves depression
Several noted psychologists have concluded that “exercise is nature’s best tranquilizer.” Researchers have found, for example, that mildly to moderately depressed individuals who engage in aerobic exercise for 15 to 30 minutes at least every other day typically experience a positive mood swing within two to three weeks.
3. Exercise prevents certain types of cancer
Several studies have found that physical activity, even at relatively low intensity levels, can play a positive role in preventing some types of cancer. To date, these investigations have shows that exercise has its greatest impact against colon cancer, breast cancer, and cancers of the female reproductive organs (e.g., endometrium, cervix, uterus, and vagina).
4. Exercise enhances self-image.
Research has documented the assertion that individuals who exercise regularly feel better about themselves than do sedentary individuals. Strong evidence exists that all factors considered, the more you exercise (to a point), the more your sense of well-being, personal value, and self-esteem goes up.
5. Exercise relieves stress and anxiety
Several studies indicate that exercise dissipates hormones and other chemicals that build up during periods of high stress. Exercise also generates a period of substantial emotional and physical relaxation that sets in approximately an hour and a half after a relatively intense bout of physical activity. benefits
6. Exercise reduces the risk of heart disease
Experts have found the non-exercisers have twice the risk of developing heart disease than individuals who exercise regularly. Furthermore, individuals who exercise on a regular basis are at least 20% less likely to suffer a fatal heart attack. The point to remember is that your heart needs more than love—it needs the beneficial consequences of exercise (e.g., reduced demand on your heart to pump blood, increased stroke volume, lower heart rate, less wear on your cardiovascular system).
7. Exercise can slow the aging process
It is never too late to improve the functional quality of your life. Sound exercise can slow the age-related decline in the various physiological systems that many individuals experience as they get older. For example, instead of losing aerobic fitness, as older adults often do, typically at a rate of 10% per year, proper exercise can increase your aerobic capacity as you age. Furthermore, sound strength exercise can reverse the loss of muscular fitness that typically occurs in older adults.
8. Exercise increase the “good” HDL Cholesterol
Exercise is one of the few voluntary activities that is effective in raising your level of HDL, the type of cholesterol that lowers your risk of heart disease. In fact, research indicates that for every 1% increase in HDL you experience, you incur a 2% to 3%reduction in your risk of heart disease. At the same time exercise increases your level of HDL, it lower your level of LDL (the “bad” cholesterol).
9. Exercise improves the quality of sleep
Researchers have found that exercisers go to sleep more quickly, sleep more soundly, and are more refreshed than individuals who do not exercise.
10. Exercise improves mental sharpness
Numerous studies have shown that individuals who exercise regularly have better memories, better reaction times, and better levels of concentration than non-exercisers. All factors considered, research suggests that exercise can do for your mind what it does for your body—energize and revitalize it.
By James Peterson, Ph.D., FACSM
From ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal
1. Exercise improves the quality of your life
The old adage, “add life to your years, as well as years to your life by exercise” has considerable merit. A properly designed exercise program will give you more energy to do the activities you enjoy and will enhance your functional capability to do the things you like to do at home, work, and play.
2. Exercise relieves depression
Several noted psychologists have concluded that “exercise is nature’s best tranquilizer.” Researchers have found, for example, that mildly to moderately depressed individuals who engage in aerobic exercise for 15 to 30 minutes at least every other day typically experience a positive mood swing within two to three weeks.
3. Exercise prevents certain types of cancer
Several studies have found that physical activity, even at relatively low intensity levels, can play a positive role in preventing some types of cancer. To date, these investigations have shows that exercise has its greatest impact against colon cancer, breast cancer, and cancers of the female reproductive organs (e.g., endometrium, cervix, uterus, and vagina).
4. Exercise enhances self-image.
Research has documented the assertion that individuals who exercise regularly feel better about themselves than do sedentary individuals. Strong evidence exists that all factors considered, the more you exercise (to a point), the more your sense of well-being, personal value, and self-esteem goes up.
5. Exercise relieves stress and anxiety
Several studies indicate that exercise dissipates hormones and other chemicals that build up during periods of high stress. Exercise also generates a period of substantial emotional and physical relaxation that sets in approximately an hour and a half after a relatively intense bout of physical activity. benefits
6. Exercise reduces the risk of heart disease
Experts have found the non-exercisers have twice the risk of developing heart disease than individuals who exercise regularly. Furthermore, individuals who exercise on a regular basis are at least 20% less likely to suffer a fatal heart attack. The point to remember is that your heart needs more than love—it needs the beneficial consequences of exercise (e.g., reduced demand on your heart to pump blood, increased stroke volume, lower heart rate, less wear on your cardiovascular system).
7. Exercise can slow the aging process
It is never too late to improve the functional quality of your life. Sound exercise can slow the age-related decline in the various physiological systems that many individuals experience as they get older. For example, instead of losing aerobic fitness, as older adults often do, typically at a rate of 10% per year, proper exercise can increase your aerobic capacity as you age. Furthermore, sound strength exercise can reverse the loss of muscular fitness that typically occurs in older adults.
8. Exercise increase the “good” HDL Cholesterol
Exercise is one of the few voluntary activities that is effective in raising your level of HDL, the type of cholesterol that lowers your risk of heart disease. In fact, research indicates that for every 1% increase in HDL you experience, you incur a 2% to 3%reduction in your risk of heart disease. At the same time exercise increases your level of HDL, it lower your level of LDL (the “bad” cholesterol).
9. Exercise improves the quality of sleep
Researchers have found that exercisers go to sleep more quickly, sleep more soundly, and are more refreshed than individuals who do not exercise.
10. Exercise improves mental sharpness
Numerous studies have shown that individuals who exercise regularly have better memories, better reaction times, and better levels of concentration than non-exercisers. All factors considered, research suggests that exercise can do for your mind what it does for your body—energize and revitalize it.
Why do people fence? Because it is fun and exciting. Below are two fencers using one of our fifteen electric strips. Scoring is recorded electronically. In the background you can see that the right fencer's light (red) just went on showing he scored. No one is using the right score box so the lights are white. Another interesting observation about this picture is that the right fencer's blade is bending greatly. Fencing blades always bend for safety and then snap back into shape.
