Cross-training in Fencing OK, so you're bored of fencing, need a pick me up or just some way to asp what little remains of your energy. Thought about cross-training?

Fencing requires a little bit of everything. The old saying goes (I have NO idea where this old saying came from though) that the best fencing training is fencing. That is probably largely true to an extent, but why not do something more intense, so that when you do the same thnig in fencing it a helluva lot easier?

Here's my current cross-training program:

• Kick-boxing - once a week (great for developing explosiveness in arm speed - think many cutovers/flicks)
• Jogging/Sprinting - twice a week (alternate 100m jog/100m sprint - great for developing lunge explosiveness)
• Jogging - once a week (great for stamina, less intense, just enjoy watching all the other beautiful people jogging, and choose somewhere nice, I do the Auckland domain)
• Cycling - once a week (great for quads, where the lunge really comes from)

Something like half an hour a day on each of them I find is good for me (remember you are still fencing throughout the week also!)

My personal preference is to do this cross-training befoer fencing training. This way on my days off fencing (all 2-3 of them) I can fully recuperate. Prolonged working out sucks. Also makes a good warm-up for fencing (and who ever warms out properly).

Of course if you have a competition in the weekend, drop it down a level in the week before. Build your reserves up so you're full of energy on the day.

And I leave you with this final thought: We train at nights, but compete during the days - does that make good sense?!

Posted - 6 September 2002