Sports & Fitness
Fencing
Three weapons with three rule sets; pick one before anything else
Clubs generally lend the full kit, so take a few classes before buying anything. The three weapons differ enough in rules and tactics that you pick one and stay there; switching stalls progress. Distance is the core skill — half a step too far and you cannot reach, half a step too close and you are hit — and it outweighs hand speed.
First stepBook a club's intro session with loaner kit, and learn the grip, the en garde stance, and how to advance and retreat.
Barriers
Cost to start
Under $50
Going deep → $2k–10k
Alone or with people
Anyone will do
Effort
Demanding
Without a teacher?
Best with a class
One session takes
1–2 hours
Where
A venue
Why people take it up