ABF FAQ

Why should I choose Absolute Fencing?

 We stand by our philosophy that even ordinary people can be nurtured into champions. At Absolute Fencing, our focus is on you. Our programs are specifically designed to help each individual achieve your own goal and our team of dedicated coaches are there to help you maximise your potential. We set high standards, and conduct our classes in a most professional manner to support you in your journey to surpass these standards. So far, our results are the most compelling evidence of our success, with our fencers making their mark in history in their own special ways. When you join Absolute Fencing, you become part of the Absolute Family. We are proud to have a caring, supportive and united culture where we help each other to learn. At Absolute Fencing, you will get the most value out of your hard earned money and we promise it is a decision you will never regret.

Is there a difference between learning from Absolute Fencing and learning from other fencing clubs in Singapore?

Simply put, yes. Absolute Fencing has a proven track record of producing multiple National Champions and National Team athletes who have been winning at big sporting events such as Asian Games, SEA Games and Asian Youth Games. Our programs seek to bring out the very best in you regardless of your age, physical fitness level and experience with the sport. We firmly believe that through proper training, even ordinary people can be nurtured into champions. Furthermore, we believe that winning is not everything, but how you win is. At Absolute Fencing, we uphold the values of respect, loyalty, perseverance and team spirit.  

Is fencing safe?

Absolutely. Modern fencing has come a long way since the time of street sword fighting and duels. With the use of advanced technology in the making of protective gears and blades, fencing is now one of the safest sports in the world. Furthermore, body contact is generally prohibited during a fencing bout. Of course, just like in any other sports, accidents can occur. The primary source of injury in fencing is from pulled muscles or joints. You may also get a bruise every now and then when fencing with inexperienced fencers who are not yet able to control the force of their hits properly. However, serious injuries are extremely rare in fencing. At Absolute Fencing, all our coaches are First Aid trained, and certified in CPR and AED. We strive to bring you the best fencing training in a fun, safe and supportive environment.

Do I have to be fit to participate?

Not at all. The programs at Absolute Fencing are designed to cater to participants of all fitness levels. Whether it is to enjoy the thrill of a fencing bout, to bathe in the glory of victory, to slash 10 kilos off your weight, or to get into the best shape of your life, Absolute Fencing can help you achieve your goals.

Is fencing expensive?

Yes and no. It may feel like an expensive sport when you first start as you have to come up with a bulk amount for the purchase of your equipment. However, if taken care of properly, most of the equipment we use can last a few years.

Do I have to purchase equipment straight away?

Absolutely not. We offer free equipment rental for your first 3 months in our program. After this period, you can choose to purchase your own equipment at our member prices or continue to rent from us at a low price on a per session basis.

Is there a trial lesson?

Yes, you can book a trial session with us if you are unsure.

Can I book private 1-on-1 lessons with the coach?

Yes, we highly recommend that you take 1-on-1 lessons with our team of professional coaches. It is an effective method to learn and should be an integral part of your training if you are serious about taking your fencing to the next level. For more information, please drop us an email or speak to any of our staff directly.  

What is a typical member like in Absolute Fencing?

There are three types of typical profile in Absolute Fencing: The Fun-loving Enthusiast, The Serious Fencer, and The Pro Fighter. "The Fun-loving Enthusiast" is someone who wants to have fun and to keep in good shape through an exciting, stimulating, high-energy workout (rather than another boring gym session). "The Serious Fencer" is someone who is passionate about the sport and wants to improve his skills under the guidance of an excellent fencing master. "The Pro Fighter" is someone who has set his eyes on achieving the highest level of play in fencing and wants to win in top level competitions (both local and international).

What is the best age to start learning fencing?

o truly excel at fencing, it may take 10 to 15 years of training. As such, an aspiring fencer should start as early as possible. A good age to begin learning is 6-7 years old, when the child has developed the strength to hold the weapon and is able to follow instructions to train properly.

Is there an age limit to learning fencing?

We accept students as young as 6 years old. Beyond this range, there are no other limitations. Many consider fencing a lifelong pursuit, because there are always new things to discover in the attempt to master this art. There are even some fencers who still compete in international competitions in their seventies!

How can learning fencing benefit me?

Fencing has long been considered a great sport that houses a multitude of health benefits: improved reflexes, enhanced cardiovascular fitness, agility, coordination, strength, power, endurance and flexibility. Through Absolute Fencing's training programs, you can expect to get into the best shape of your life.

At the same time, fencing is also often described as "physical chess", due the logic and strategic thinking behind the movements. In each bout you fence, you have to make tactical decisions to outwit your opponent. Over time, fencing can help you develop better problem-solving skills, become more perceptive, and anticipate your opponent's actions.

For the young athlete, becoming good at fencing can also help to open more school and career opportunity, such as qualifying for DSA program and getting scholarships from top universities.

Do I need prior experience to join?

Not at all. The programs at Absolute Fencing are designed to cater to participants of all experience levels. Through our systematic grading system, you can easily find a class that is suitable for your abilities, from the absolute beginner to the hardcore professional fencer.

What about women?

Fencing is one of the rare sports in which women can compete head-to-head with their male counterparts.

What is the best weapon for a beginner to start with?

Foil is the most common starter weapon. It is an excellent weapon to begin with if you have no preferences or want to learn generalized principles of sword fighting. Transitions to the other weapons from foil are relatively straight forward. Foil is an abstracted form of fencing that emphasizes proper defense, and cleanly executed killing attacks. Historically it was a training weapon for the small sword, so it is well suited for the purposes of learning. However, it is far from a simple weapon, and many experienced fencers return to foil after trying the others.

Sabre can sometimes be an effective starter weapon, for a few reasons. Like foil, it has rules of right-of-way to emphasize proper defense, and its de-emphasis of point attacks can be a relief to a beginner who doesn't yet have much point control. Also, in some areas it may still be possible to compete in dry sabre competitions, meaning that it can be the cheapest of all weapons to compete in (although electric sabre is definitely the most expensive weapon). However, sabre differs from foil and epee in a few key respects that can reduce its effectiveness as a starter weapon if the fencer plans to try the others in the future. Among these differences are the aforementioned de-emphasis of point attacks, and a different sense of timing and distance.

Epee is sometimes used as a starter weapon for two reasons. First, the rules are simple and easy to grasp, and second, the equipment costs are lower, since no lame' is required. However, the apparent simplicity of the sport can obscure its subtleties to the beginner, and make progress difficult later on. Furthermore, the lack of right-of-way in epee can make transitions to the other two weapons difficult, if put off for too long.