Frequently Asked Questions

Hooked on Fencing is the premier Epee club in the Great Lakes area. The club is home to many fencers who hold a number of local, state, and even national titles. Though there is a competitive spirit at HoF, the main goal is to have fun and be fit. We believe in supporting an active and healthy lifestyle through involvement in the well-loved and fast-growing sport of fencing. Hooked on Fencing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a simple mission to get people "hooked" on fencing.

We have developed a method of training that is designed to slowly work new students into the lifestyle of the fencing club. This program includes private instruction from one of our coaches who will guide you through the footwork and bladework and into actual fencing in the club environment. New students will be instructed on an individual basis prior to being given opportunities to train with more experienced club members.

We have a wide range of members. Some are highly competitive and have achieved prestigious titles, others come for the social interaction with their friends, and others are training to stay in shape. With such diversity in experience and goals, many different skill levels emerge. Hooked on Fencing has members who will grow with you as equal sparring partners, and others who can teach you new tricks and techniques.

Our group classes start at age 9. We compete all the way through the veteran (50+) age divisions, so it's never too late to start. Younger children may be considered on a case-by-case basis — please contact us to inquire.

We are able to thrive because of its members' constant support and help at the club. You can donate, volunteer, or simply tell others about Hooked on Fencing! Visit our Help page for more information.

If you have decided that Hooked on Fencing is something you would like to continue with, there are only a few steps you must complete before you begin at the club. First, sign up online or at the club with your first month's membership. Second, fill out emergency contact information form attached to the welcome packet. Third, contact a coach for your next appointment, or if you already have an appointment, we'll see you soon!

Yes and no. As you begin your fencing journey, the club provides all the necessary equipment you will need to practice. The only items you will need to provide are athletic pants, t-shirts, and good athletic shoes. However, after 3 months it is time that fencers should begin to slowly acquire their own personal fencing attire.

We are open 4 days a week, with occasional exceptions on holidays. Members can come as often as they like!

Three memberships: Adult 18+ at $70/month, Club Membership at $150/month, and Club + Weekly Lesson at $200/month. They differ in whether lessons and club equipment are included — the membership page compares them side by side.

Group classes and camps are priced separately and do not need a membership.

Club membership is for fencers who have moved beyond group classes and want regular access to coaching and open fencing. If you're brand new, we recommend starting with a group class or private lesson first.

Adult 18+ ($70/month) is open bouting for experienced adult fencers — Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings plus Saturdays. It does not include lessons or club equipment, so you bring your own gear.

Club Membership ($150/month) is full club access with private lessons included, given every 4–5 visits based on your check-ins.

Club + Weekly Lesson ($200/month) is everything in Club Membership plus one scheduled private lesson every week, at the same day and time — your reserved slot.

Not right away. We provide all necessary equipment — mask, jacket, glove, and weapon — free of charge while you're getting started. After about a year, members are expected to begin acquiring their own gear. We're happy to help you find the right equipment when the time comes.

No — as long as your membership runs without interruption, the rate you joined at is the rate you keep, however much our published prices change.

If a membership lapses and you rejoin later, you come back on whatever the current rate is. The exception is a payment that stopped for technical reasons — a card change, a PayPal problem — which is not a lapse. Get in touch and we will restart you at your old rate.

If you're worried about being sliced in half, relax! While fencing is based on the tradition of dueling, the swords used in modern sport fencing do not have sharp points, and the protective gear is extremely safe. Fencing is still a sport, however, and as with all sports, some risk for occasional injury exists. In a study of sport injuries performed at the 2008 Olympics, fencing ranked as one of the safest sports.

For the most part, no. The fencing blade is designed to bend on impact, which absorbs most of the force of the blow. Most hits therefore tend to be quite light. Fencing is a finesse sport that values quickness and dexterity over brute strength, so your opponents are not trying to hit you as hard as they can. While you might receive the occasional bruise from a solid hit, you often will not even feel it while your adrenaline is pumping.