Why Fence?
Information provided by Classical Fencing

1.Physical: Fencing has many health benefits. Fencing tones and conditions muscle groups to help keep a fencer lean and agile. The sport can be related to sprinting where an individual is at complete rest but immediately transitions into full speed movement for improving endurance. Fencing also requires and hones balance and coordination.

2. Mental: Mentally, fencers must be able to recognize and understand a problem (an opponents attack), and then utilize that information to make decisions within fractions of a second. Mental sensitivity, flexibility, and responsiveness are improved through practice.

3. Character: Scoring in fencing is not as straight forward as other sports. Points can be scored on questionable calls. The director, whom awards points, is human and sees everything from one perspective. Sometimes points are awarded on questionable calls when both opponents hit each other at the same time. Fencers are known for acknowledging points against themselves.
"Fencers acquire the habit of being honest, gracious and, above all, self-responsible." (www.classicalfencing.com)

4. Understanding: Fencing is a martial art. When crossing blades, fencers acknowledge their opponents for their level of skill. Ethnicity, gender, age, and/or religious beliefs do not matter. Every fencer knows that were the tips of their weapons sharp, they could be badly injured at any moment. Even amateur fencers can get lucky against an experienced fencer. This understanding of potential danger in an actual scenario firmly removes any desire to fight.