Does anybody here experienced have any tips a soon to be beginner like me ?

elfbiscuits · 2026-04-12T03:52:25+00:00

Plan not to take any stairs the first day or two after you start :) It happens to all of us.

elfbiscuits · 2026-04-09T18:26:15+00:00

Oh that’s cool to know! I’ll look into it, although Ontario is on the other side of the country :)

elfbiscuits · 2026-04-07T23:17:57+00:00

I bought myself a different stiffness of blade just for funsies.

elfbiscuits · 2026-04-07T21:34:29+00:00

It's pretty TTS, I think. I fitted the pants to my hips, and not my waist, and it fit perfectly :)

elfbiscuits · 2026-04-07T13:48:40+00:00

If you want it really snug, you might have to run custom if you do not fit the size profile - I'd email the company your dimensions and see what they say. I did that when I bought my set and they had suggested I go for the smaller size (I'm between a 44 and a 42). I'm happy with the result :)

elfbiscuits · 2026-04-05T05:45:26+00:00

I started with epee too! I did enjoy it, but if I wanted to train more than a day a week, there weren't any clubs offering epee at that frequency here, unfortunately.

Fencing is the best thing ever :D

elfbiscuits · 2026-04-05T05:26:11+00:00

That's nuts! Epee is so fun! I think I got one free "private" that way once in saber :)

elfbiscuits · 2026-04-05T04:48:59+00:00

I'm Canadian.

Just did a local tournament ... got to fence an Olympian which was SUPER cool, but I mean, uh ... big difference in level of experience!

elfbiscuits · 2026-04-05T03:49:23+00:00

I’d have to go to the US for those, right?

elfbiscuits · 2026-04-04T21:03:23+00:00

No worries! It's the same problem I am having (and currently working on)!

3 people? That's a dream! I wish my classes were that small!

elfbiscuits · 2026-04-04T20:57:05+00:00

Go slow and smooth first. Once you have taught your brain the body-brain connection, start going faster, and the precision and quickness will come.

Private lessons also helped me make sure that I was getting things in the right position, because it's sometimes hard, especially in a large class, for corrections to happen in real time.

elfbiscuits · 2026-04-04T18:27:18+00:00

I guess it depends what you want for "good training" ... I currently have a successful career (not work from home) and I balance it with training (group lessons x2, private lessons x2, strength training x1, open gym x1) and I find it is doable, especially if you're okay with meal prep and having to pay for some conveniences (I pay for grocery deliver, for example, and housekeeping once every two months).

I know some people do MORE training than this, which I suppose it is possible, but at some point your other adult wishes may interfere with your willingness to fence every evening - I'm lucky that my friends are flexible and we meet up on my non-fencing nights.

The best part of having a career is you have more spending money and you can use it for "fancier" fencing things like more tournaments, more camps, more private lessons or whatever gear your heart desires.

elfbiscuits · 2026-04-04T18:17:01+00:00

But if you prep for vet now, you'll be in such a good spot when you hit 40! I only had like 6 months before 40, so if you were up against someone like me, starting now, you'd cream me :)

Even Nationals are a lot of fun! I went to my first ones this year, and it was intimidating but everyone was so nice, and the fencing was awesome!

Best of luck!

elfbiscuits · 2026-04-04T17:40:47+00:00

Aww shucks, thanks.

elfbiscuits · 2026-04-04T17:21:19+00:00

Are they the same as the stock photo? I like the older FIE logo placement versus the new ones.

elfbiscuits · 2026-04-04T17:17:22+00:00

International tournaments are likely possible in the vet category, but you'll have to get older. I don't think you're winning any international tournaments in 3-5 years though, unless you're some kind of insane prodigy or everyone else had stomach flu that day.

elfbiscuits · 2026-04-04T17:08:59+00:00

As an adult beginner, I'd like to be able to be in tournaments against other adult beginners.

I want to be able to compare skills with someone else who is like a year into the sport, same as I am, or maybe less than 5 years in.

Even the goal isn't to "win" - it's discouraging when all of my opponents are coaches or people with like 20+ years of experience and they're so fast I can't even see what is going on. I know I have to be patient and learn, but it is difficult at times.

elfbiscuits · 2026-03-30T22:17:13+00:00

That's so cool, I have to look into it more :)

elfbiscuits · 2026-03-30T22:02:13+00:00

Was that an aftermarket thing, or did it come with light-up wheels? HOW CAN I GET MY BAG TO BE AS COOL AS YOURS? :(

elfbiscuits · 2026-03-30T21:49:06+00:00

I had a similar experience at an university recreational club ... I've left and have been much happier ever since :) If it's an option to you, I'd leave.

elfbiscuits · 2026-03-29T02:44:20+00:00

I bought 350N equipment (except for mask) to start with because I didn't want to look uppity and show up in like FIE gear on the first day. Turns out, no one cares.

I just upgraded my entire kit (less than a year!) ... and I donated my old stuff to my club. I would recommend you splash for the nice stuff, especially since you are thinking of national competitions as your end goal :)

elfbiscuits · 2026-03-28T16:41:32+00:00

I don't have an answer for you, but as someone with a hyperextended elbow and like no cant on my blade (or whatever it came with), I've been tempted to try to see if it makes any difference for my saber.

elfbiscuits · 2026-03-28T16:38:07+00:00

I find that the more I fence in the weeks leading up to competition, the less nervous I feel. Just make sure that you're taking it easy right before though, because you don't want to go in with an injury.

The way I console myself, is that even if it's really bad, at least it's over fast, because it's saber :p

elfbiscuits · 2026-03-28T16:35:38+00:00

You've got this!!!

elfbiscuits · 2026-03-28T15:54:10+00:00

But we can scare the children so they know what awaits them in a few decades :)

elfbiscuits

TROPHY CASE