I’ve tried two types of fencing – foil fencing and the fencing with an actual rapier 😀 Went for it coz I just love all those movies with sword fighting and everything 😀 And I totally loved it!
First, the foil fencing. I was attending the classes for about a year, I think. I London, Fight Fit Fencing club. Unfortunately, then they’ve changed the schedule and it clutched with my gymnastics, to I had to stop 🙁 But I’ve had a year of feeling like d’Artagnan 😀
It was quite physical. Especially because of that thick ammunition you have to wear. Quite torturous during the summer months. When I came I had no idea how it works. At ‘cool’ level it looks like that. At beginners level, it looks like one of the videos of me below 😀
For those who don’t know, you need to wear a thick conducting jacket, you’re connected to a machine, that makes a sound every time you get a hit with your opponent’s sword. It’s a lot of fun! Especially for those who are crazily competitive like me 😀
As far as I remember, we would always start with some warming up and a bit of conditioning, then a bit of theory, and move straight into ‘action‘. When we fence, the coach would observe us, and tell us what we could have done better.
I would say that this sport can suit everyone! It’s difficult, the legs and hand get crazily tired, and of course, there is a bit of cardio involved.
I would say that this sport can suit everyone! It’s difficult, the legs and hands get crazily tired, and, of course, there is a bit of cardio involved. Yet, it’s doable and gets easier along the way. Again, it was a lot of fun to share it with people who learn it along with you. And we had an awesome coach!
It’s totally one of the things I loved and miss a lot! And I totally recommend it to anyone who wants to release their inner musketeer 😀 !
Now, the rapier fencing (sorry, no videos here 🙁 ). It’s actually quite different, you fight with a real heavy sword. Here is the place where I took my classes in London, London Longsword Academy. It definitely feels more ‘real’, you can try many kinds of weapon (rapier, longsword, etc). My arms were absolutely dead after each class. It is a bit more ‘slow’ than the rapier, but more ‘versatile’.
I took only a few classes (that ‘time’ thing again 😀 ) but it was great (I know I say it about mostly everything, but it was! ) It’s for those, who want to go for the ‘real’ thing!