Training at home: how fencers are keeping fit
The FIE reviews social media posts from fencers around the globe as they share their innovative ways of training at home.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has seen many fencers take to social media to share their improvised home training routines with the wider fencing community .
The men’s foil world no.2 and Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist Enzo Lefort has embraced the reality of exercising from home by regularly posting workout videos on his Instagram account – the Frenchman has even challenged his fellow fencers to beat his score of 17 ‘full body finishers’ in 45 seconds.
Sarra Besbes, the women’s epee world no.12, has been thinking along the same lines as Lefort, although the Tunisian’s makeshift gym is situated outside on her driveway. Besbes has shown how everyday household objects such as kitchen chairs can be used to facilitate basic workout routines.
In Germany, the men’s sabre world no.2 Max Hartung has taken advantage of the closure of gyms and sports halls to work on the podcast he co-presents with fellow German sabre athlete Matyas Szabo. In addition to weekly episodes, Hartung and Szabo also produce training videos to help the podcasts’ subscribers keep fit and healthy during self-isolation.
Like many fencers, the women’s epee world no.7 Kong Man Wai Vivian – profiled here on FIE Tokyo Loves Fencing – has been setting her own personal goals and targets in the absence of competitions and competitors. Yoga helps maintain physical and mental wellbeing, which makes it an effective mode of exercise for fencers such as Kong who are confined indoors to their homes.
Another fencer who has been regularly sharing his experiences of home training on social media is USA’s Race Imboden, with the men’s foil world no.8 making use of his garage space to keep fit and motivated.
Meanwhile in Argentina, the women’s sabre world no.38 Belén Pérez Maurice has risen to the challenge of training from home by taking part in virtual fencing sessions with her Argentine teammates, proving that physical distancing does not necessitate training alone as well.
Whether it’s muscle strength exercises, training videos or fencing classes on video call, fencers are showing that their appetites for the sport are as strong as ever, even while at home.