1. Is fencing dangerous?

Despite the fact that it involves lunging at someone with a metal sword, fencing is much less dangerous than other sports. From 1937 to 1996 there have been only seven fencing fatalities. Comparatively, there were seven fatalities in high school football during the 2008 season alone (Annual Survey of Football Injury Research 1931-2008).  Most fencing injuries are bruised hands and fingers, and sprained ankles and knees. (Epidemiology of Sports Injuries, Human Kinetics, 1996) While there is risk in any sport, fencing has one of the best records around.

2. Does it hurt?

Not usually. Sometimes you will take a hard hit and be left with a small bruise, but most fencers want to score a fast touch, not a power hit.

3. Isn’t fencing a little wimpy, then?

Fencing requires both physical and mental toughness. You have to face down an opponent who wants to poke you with a big metal stick. By way of comparison, a Golden Gloves boxer will fight one bout that has four two-minute rounds, for a total of eight minutes per week during a tournament. While no one would deny boxers are tough guys, in one day, a fencer at a tournament with 32 fencers will fence five opponents for up to three minutes each in pool bouts before moving on to fight in the direct elimination bouts. There, the winning fencer will fight five bouts that could each last nine minutes. All the while he has to both out think and out maneuver opponents who are doing their best to hit him.

4. Is fencing expensive?

Fencing is no more expensive than other sports. A starter set for fencing that includes a jacket, mask, glove, and weapon can run $100 to $150. Nike’s Air Jordan Fusion 9 men’s basketball shoes cost $160. Football helmets and fencing masks are about the same price – about $50 for basic masks and helmets, and going over $200 for high-end ones.

5. Am I too old (young, out-of-shape, whatever)?

No. Fencing is a sport that combines both mental and physical abilities. The Chicago Fencing Club has had members start fencing in their seventies and continue on well past that. Generally, kids under six are a bit too young, but beyond that there is no age limit.

Because fencing uses both mental and physical abilities, any body type can fence. A person can use natural athleticism to their advantage, but that won’t be enough to beat someone who has a sneaky plan, a good sense of timing, or great technical skill.

“As no one can know anything about fencing before his first lesson, the 'born fencer' does not exist.”  --Aldo Nadi, On Fencing

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