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Fitness

The Fitness Benefits of Fencing

Fencing is a classic art, part of our history since the Middle Ages.

Becca Borawski

Written by Becca Borawski Last updated on May 31, 2011

Fencing is a classic art, part of our history since the Middle Ages. The image of sword fighting is prevalent throughout our media, from the swashbuckling escapades of Errol Flynn to the science-fiction adventures of Luke Skywalker. Yet, how many of you have ever seriously considered studying fencing?

I recently had a chance to ask Olympic Silver Medalist, Jason Rogers, what his thoughts were on fencing for fitness, as we train at the same academy, Avant Garde, in West Los Angeles.

Fencing is a classic art, part of our history since the Middle Ages. The image of sword fighting is prevalent throughout our media, from the swashbuckling escapades of Errol Flynn to the science-fiction adventures of Luke Skywalker. Yet, how many of you have ever seriously considered studying fencing?

I recently had a chance to ask Olympic Silver Medalist, Jason Rogers, what his thoughts were on fencing for fitness, as we train at the same academy, Avant Garde, in West Los Angeles.

“Fencing is an excellent sport to improve lower body strength and speed, as well as hand-eye coordination,” Rogers told me. “Fencing also develops agility and flexibility and is probably most similar to many of the martial arts in terms of the collection of skills it requires.” In fact, studying fencing has many benefits, for both the body and the mind.

Physical benefits of fencing:
  • Coordination
  • Agility
  • Balance
  • Flexibility
  • Strength
  • Cardiovascular Endurance

Mental benefits of fencing:

  • Focus
  • Hand-eye coordination
  • Problem solving
As we get older, keeping our brains active and our critical thinking skills intact becomes an important “muscle” to exercise. “Smart people are natural fencers,” according to Rogers. “It is an activity that not only requires learning a completely new set of fun skills, but also a strategic intelligence that many liken to chess.”

While fencing is thought of by many as a youth sport or a sport of the elite, many fencing academies conduct group adult classes and have very reasonable training fees. So, don’t think it’s too late – why not get fit while living out the sword-fighting adventures of your childhood?

“In learning fencing you are introduced to a sport of elegance and sophistication with an incredibly rich history that goes back hundred, if not thousands of years, “ says Rogers. “Plus, it’s a great date and you get extra point with your friends for being unique.”

Becca Borawski

About Becca Borawski

Becca found her way to a career in health and fitness through Martial Arts and CrossFit. Originally a music editor for film and television, Becca started studying Martial Arts in 2000. Though she started with traditional Martial Arts it was not long before she discovered Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and her path was forever altered. She began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Muay Thai and started working with professional MMA fighters, building websites, working on fight promotions, and producing videos.

As a competitor in BJJ herself, Becca wanted to get stronger and fitter. In 2006 she discovered CrossFit and became a student at CrossFit Los Angeles. In only a couple of years she became CrossFit Level III Certified, left her career in the film industry, and dedicated herself full time to coaching. She has since been certified through CrossFit in Olympic Lifting, Powerlifting, Nutrition, Endurance and Kids coaching. She also held an NSCA-CSCS from 2006-2008 and is a certified IndoRow instructor. In addition to coaching adults, she founded the CrossFit LA Kids program in 2010 and taught children aged 5-17.

Becca regularly takes on new sports, which have included indoor rowing, fencing, and most recently, cycling, as she believes it makes her both a better athlete and a better coach. In order to reach more people with her coaching, Becca also created ModernAthena.com – a website dedicated to women in pursuit of physical fitness and self-improvement.

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