Art of Fencing, Art of Life

Month: June 2016 Page 1 of 2

How to Check in with Fencing Summer Nationals Online

Fencing Summer Nationals Online ResourcesIt’s TIME!! Fencing Summer Nationals is upon us. Everyone is so excited about the events that are happening over the next 10 days, as we all wait with baited breath to find out how everything is going to turn out for fencers all over the country.

How can you participate in the Summer Nationals and the July Challenge if you’re not headed out? The great news is that there are PLENTY of online resources to help you stay connected with everything that’s going on at this giant event. Here is all of the important information.

Fencing Impact On My Education and Well Being

Fencing Impact On My Education and Well BeingI’ve been fencing for almost seven years and those seven years have been busy. I started high school, I took the SATs and ACTs, I went to prom, I graduated, and I just finished my first year of college. People always asked me how I managed to dedicate hours to train daily and still do well in my school work, tests, and still manage to have a social life. My answer was fencing.

Fencing for a minimum of eighteen hours a week sounds like it takes over all my time, leaving me stressed out when it came to any other aspect of my life. But in reality, I would have been more stressed out without fencing.

Exercise has many more benefits than just improving fitness and staying healthy. Working out increases alertness and energy, which means that even after working out for three hours straight, I have enough energy to continue my day with close to full productivity. Exercise improves mental health which puts a positive spin on my day. Working out also plays a part in improving the immune system, so I don’t get sick as often.

There was a time in high school when I took time off from fencing to focus on school. During this period of time, I did not work out as much and was honestly very depressed. I was always frustrated for no reason, I rarely completed my assignments on time, even though my schedule was close to empty. I was often sick and would miss school because of fevers, colds, and headaches. I stopped spending time with my friends and family because I just wanted to be alone… always. Every aspect of my life was deteriorating. After a few months, I returned back to fencing and my grades started getting better. I was on top of my responsibilities and was active in all the different organizations I was part of, both in and out of fencing. I didn’t get sick as often and I started spending time with important friends as well. Most importantly, I was happy.

I now fence for a Division 1 NCAA team in college and when I talked to people on the team and alumni who had taken a break after graduating college, many of them revealed that they had similar experiences. My little sister also went through the same thing when she was in middle school.

Evidently, fencing has helped with productivity in fencers of various different levels from all around the country. Of course this is applicable to other sports (and working out in general), but for me, personally, it was fencing. And I can not be more thankful for having a sport that really helps me keep at my best!

USFA Club of Excellence Program – AFM Honored!

USA Fencing’s Club of Excellence Program - AFM HonoredThis year the premier organization for fencing in the United States, USA Fencing, initiated a program to honor fencing schools around the country for excellence in the sport.

Starting in 2016, USA Fencing will annually recognize clubs that excel in attracting new students, retaining old students, promoting the sport and in general being positive places for fencing. It’s a fun new program that allows fencing schools to get some positive press while also promoting fencing in the wider world.

Often people don’t realize that there are great fencing schools right in their backyard! By showcasing fencing schools across the country, USA Fencing is getting positive press out there.

The 2016 Winners

Why Fencing Dads are AWESOME

Fencing DadsFather’s Day is just around the corner, and so to celebrate we’d like to reflect on all of the reasons that fencing dads are so very fantastic.

It takes a special kind of man to stand up and hand his kid a sword, and for these amazing men we are so very thankful. These guys are amazing, even more amazing than the run of the mill dads that are walking down the street. Why? Here are some great reasons.

●    Ultimate fixers

Fencing is unlike so many other sports because it requires so much equipment that’s complex and electrical. There are wires and cords, plugs and screws, and real live electricity running through it all. When equipment doesn’t work just right it can cause not only delays, but can even cause fencers to lose their spot in competition. But never fear – fencing dad is always there to make sure that fencing gear is ready for equipment check! Without our amazing fencing dads we’d be lost when it comes to getting all of that equipment to work just right – they’re always there for us with the right tools to make it work.

How Much Sleep do Fencers Need?

How much sleep fencers needThe thing that is perhaps most taken for granted in the world of athletics is sleep. We imagine that we can push ourselves, which we of course can and should, but there are limits. Staying safe and healthy is such an important part of staying on top of the fencing game. Getting enough rest is an absolute key to being healthy.

Why Sleep is Important for Fencers

Often the very first thing to go when schedules get tight and training hours get long is sleep. Suddenly getting enough sleep just isn’t a priority when there’s homework to be done, laundry to be washed or there are television shows to catch up on.  However it’s especially important that sleep be a priority during heavy training and competition times.

In order to perform at top conditions, fencers MUST get the right amount of sleep. Not getting enough sleep has the following effects:

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