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noodles · 01-06-2005, 01:03 AM

okay, finally my time to shine

i've taken and taught kendo for 3ish years. (i was a professional martial artist for several years)
i then quit when i went to college and took up olympic (aka sport) fencing and am currently coaching my club and fencing nationally at a high level (div1/1a).

first, to clarifiy: you should find out what type of fencing is offered at your school: sport fencing or historical or classical fencing. historical/classical are two distinct and separate styles, but they both focus on more realism in their techniques. they are much much less competition-oriented with more focus on technique and such.

*Learn a new and interesting skill (Kind of intuitive and old schoolish)

either one will work here, a-ok

*Instill and maintain personal discipline ( I usually participate in team
sports, wanted to try an individual activity)

either one will be good for you in this respect. sport fencing will be a much more competative environment, kendo being secnod, and historical/classical fencing being last when it comes to being a competative activity.

*Exercise (cardio, flexiblility, dexterity, some upper? body & arm strength)

sport fencing gives you the most rigorous workout. it basically makes you into a freak muscle machine that can break down walls with your lead side. kendo is an all-around martial arts workout.

*I'm not too into the "sport" aspect, more into the skill set and training
aspect)

this sounds to me like either kendo, or historical/classical fencing. sport fencing is just that. you generally train to win tournaments.

you sound like someone who'd be interested in kendo. it will give you a solid workout, teach you new, interesting skills, and you can make it as competative as you wish.

edited to throw this in:
i want to pre-empt this stupidass argument before it starts: it does NOT matter what sword you have in your hand. it matters who is behind the sword. a katana vs a rapier, the smarter swordsman will win. not the one with weapon x in their hand. i can quote you historical events to back up this, too. i've had this argument many, many times.

01-06-2005, 01:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
noodles Psycho Location: sc	okay, finally my time to shine i've taken and taught kendo for 3ish years. (i was a professional martial artist for several years) i then quit when i went to college and took up olympic (aka sport) fencing and am currently coaching my club and fencing nationally at a high level (div1/1a). first, to clarifiy: you should find out what type of fencing is offered at your school: sport fencing or historical or classical fencing. historical/classical are two distinct and separate styles, but they both focus on more realism in their techniques. they are much much less competition-oriented with more focus on technique and such. Learn a new and interesting skill (Kind of intuitive and old schoolish) either one will work here, a-ok Instill and maintain personal discipline ( I usually participate in team sports, wanted to try an individual activity) either one will be good for you in this respect. sport fencing will be a much more competative environment, kendo being secnod, and historical/classical fencing being last when it comes to being a competative activity. Exercise (cardio, flexiblility, dexterity, some upper? body & arm strength) sport fencing gives you the most rigorous workout. it basically makes you into a freak muscle machine that can break down walls with your lead side. kendo is an all-around martial arts workout. I'm not too into the "sport" aspect, more into the skill set and training aspect) this sounds to me like either kendo, or historical/classical fencing. sport fencing is just that. you generally train to win tournaments. you sound like someone who'd be interested in kendo. it will give you a solid workout, teach you new, interesting skills, and you can make it as competative as you wish. edited to throw this in: i want to pre-empt this stupidass argument before it starts: it does NOT matter what sword you have in your hand. it matters who is behind the sword. a katana vs a rapier, the smarter swordsman will win. not the one with weapon x in their hand. i can quote you historical events to back up this, too. i've had this argument many, many times. Last edited by noodles; 01-06-2005 at 01:09 AM..