BASICS
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How a Man by Private Practice may Obtain
Strength of Body Thereby
.M any
believe that strength is a virtue bestowed by nature, just as sight and hearing is. If
that were so, exercise would be a ridiculous waste of time. But that is not so, exercise
does build strength, and the coordination necessary to be a good fencer as well. So, do
it.
Even a strong and lusty man without the proper type of exercise cannot deliver blows
with the power and speed of one who is properly exercised. Many times a strong man will
quickly tire so that he can no longer maintain hold of a sword, and give up on the
practice of arms thinking that he is not suitable for the Art. This is not so, for
exercise builds endurance as well.
One of the best ways to get the right sort of exercise is to practice fencing with or
without a partner. Without a partner, simply go through the full range of thrust and
edgeblows, with the full range of possible foot work - lunges and passes, slips and
circles. Do not neglect wards and ripostes. Also practice starting and stopping an attack,
and suddenly attacking again.
FIN