What Are the Benefits of Fencing?

Fencing is a sport that involves one-on-one competition with a sword. There are three official fencing weapons: foil, epee and sabre. The foil is a light thrusting sword, the epee a heavy thrusting sword and the sabre a light cutting and thrusting weapon. Like most athletics, fencing has several health benefits that extend from the recreational to the professional fencer.

  1. Cardiovascular

    • Fencing is an aerobic exercise because it requires participants to move quickly and constantly throughout training and matches. Aerobic exercise increases your heart rate, increases the amount of oxygen in your blood and cleans toxins and lactic acid from your system. According to the Mayo Clinic, 30 minutes of aerobic activity a day increases your heart health.

    Hand-Eye Coordination

    • Fencing requires participants to aim carefully at a moving target. Your strikes must fall within the appropriate zone for your weapon category. You must also gauge the movement of your opponent and anticipate his attacks. As your opponent strikes, you must move quickly out of the way of the blade. As a result, continued practice in fencing increases the hand-eye coordination.

    Strength and Agility

    • Much like dancing or martial arts, fencing moves requires precision and strength. Fencers put themselves in strategic striking positions while still remaining agile so they can move from the sword's path. Training in fencing increases athletes strength, flexibility and coordination.