Updating Your Approach to Physical Fitness With Modern Sword Fighting

By Craig Harkins

One of the first steps on the way to physical fitness is making a commitment. It's often difficult to go from a sedentary lifestyle to making physical fitness a part of your every day life, the kind of thing you do as a matter of course, like brushing your teeth. One of the great things about exercise is that many report that after several months of concerted effort, the exercise becomes less of a chore, and more like an addiction. Exercise produces endorphins, which give you a "natural high." Avid sportspersons are familiar with this effect, sometimes called the "runner's high." One way to incorporate physical fitness into your daily life is to find a sport you enjoy to play, and use that as your gateway to physical fitness.

People do not often associate sports such as fencing with a "workout", but it most certainly is. Think about what the sport entails, though; once you have your fencing gear in place, you begin using a wide variety of muscles and cardiovascular strength to compete. Fencing also requires mental acuity and focus, which helps in making effective moves against an opponent. Using both the mind and the body energizes the individual, preventing boredom or tedium to overtake the workout. This is but one example of using a sport as a conduit to good physical fitness.

For those with a more traditional workout sport in mind, there is always jogging and marathon running to consider. Many books are published and Internet sites exist that detail training plans for beginners. No one starts out training for a 26 mile marathon, but plenty of people have humbler beginnings training for the local 5K cancer charity run. Identifying a charity run that comes up within 6 to 12 weeks is a great place to start; the added element of running for a good cause can provide an extra kick of motivation! And who doesn't need a bit of extra motivation when starting out on a new fitness regiment?

When you're establishing a new fitness routine, remain patient and have realistic expectations. Those who are overweight should consult with a doctor prior to starting a routine, if nothing else to be sure that everything is on the up and up from a health perspective. Realize also that establishing a fitness routine need not be rushed. You have a lifetime to build and hone your physical well-being, and the old adage that "Rome wasn't built in a day" is instructive.


Craig Harkins runs Fencing.Net - with resources on the sport of fencing and also has a fencing equipment store that offers a wide range of fencing blades, uniforms and other gear for beginning to advanced competitors.

Visit Fencing.Net to learn more about the sport of fencing and to download a free eBook: The Parent's Guide to Fencing, which provides parents with the information they need to see if fencing is right for their kids.

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