I was preparing for the Veterans World Championships in Dubai 2024 and Luca developed a bespoke program leading into the competition. The program was invaluable, with clear improvements in strength, flexibility, endurance, and speed of response, making fights and lessons feel easier and allowing me to focus more on strategy and execution. The intensity and progression aligned well with my fitness level and goals, which was particularly important as a veteran fencer, where pre-existing joint issues and muscle or tendon strains can be more easily aggravated. The program was challenging yet protective, and the progressive, tailored structure led to a significant improvement in resilience.

Since starting the S&C program, I have noticed improvements in all aspects of my physical performance, becoming faster and stronger than ever before, which has helped me reach a higher level in fencing. The intensity and progression align well with my current fitness level and goals, and I feel I am on the right path to achieving them. The video analysis and remote coaching are very useful, helping me execute each movement correctly, which is important for both performance and injury prevention. The program is well planned around the season and competition schedule, giving me an edge over my opponents as I feel fast, strong, and not fatigued during competitions.

The S&C program has provided me with a structured approach that has significantly improved my fencing performance, including strength, agility, and overall fitness, while also helping to prevent overuse injuries. The intensity and progression align well with my current fitness level and goals, with a gradual increase in difficulty that is manageable yet challenging, allowing consistent progress without feeling overwhelmed. Since starting the program, I have noticed substantial improvements in both my fencing skills and overall physical performance, with enhanced fitness and well-being being as important as the gains in capability. I would recommend the program to anyone who wants to take fencing seriously from a competitive perspective, as well as to those who want to practise the sport while maintaining mental and physical fitness.

We have been using the S4F Club program for over a year and I could not imagine training without it. Coaching athletes from beginner to national team level, I value how adaptable it is across all ages and standards. It allows me to focus on other aspects of training while having a professional who understands fencing design a program that meets the needs of every level. The support is excellent, giving me confidence that sessions are appropriate for each athlete’s age, development, and execution, while avoiding training ruts and unnecessary injury risk.

S4F understands the asymmetry of fencing and balances whole-body and fencing-specific work. We have seen no training injuries and clear improvements in physical literacy, coordination, stamina, and overall fencing performance from ages 8 through to senior. The program is flexible, responsive, and has made a tremendous difference to our club.

Since implementing the S4F Club program, we have found it extremely helpful in bringing structure and progression to our sessions across the season. Instead of planning different elements on the spot, we now work within a clear system, which saves time and makes delivery more consistent. The regular inclusion of mobility work has been particularly valuable, allowing us to use the same foundation across age groups and gradually build on it depending on the level of the fencers. The exercise videos also support us as coaches when introducing movements that are new to us. By integrating the program into our group warm-ups, we ensure everyone is involved, and overall engagement has been strong, with fencers committed to performing the exercises properly. Over time, we have noticed fewer injuries compared to before, as well as clear improvements in mobility and coordination, which in turn make it easier for our athletes to continue developing their fencing skills.

“I first started working with Luca in March 2021. I’d been continuously injured for a long time, and I was just about to start recovery/rehab for my injuries. Luca helped me a lot in managing, reassuring, and setting out the correct rehab exercises for me to do. The programs he sets out are always specific towards my needs and often push me very hard. He’s shared a lot of his knowledge with me, and has been there to work through any of my worries and concerns, allowing me to gain confidence as a fencer. Luca is an excellent S&C coach who is very dedicated to his fencers and is always willing to adapt. He has provided me with the foundations to grow and improve in many aspects”

“I had the opportunity to work with Luca a few years ago in Norcia in a training session for the Italian youth team. I was immediately enthusiastic about his way of introducing himself to athletes and other collaborators, professional, competent and very precise in describing the exercises to be performed. It is not always easy for an S&C coach to be able to capture the attention of young boys who may be used to only fencing, but Luca with personality, friendliness and competence gets everyone’s interest. Last year I invited Luca to the International Foil Camp in Lignano Sabbiadoro, a camp aimed at athletes aged 13 and over and we did an excellent training creating great harmony with the other coaches present. Obviously I recommend Luca Malvassori to athletes and coaches who wish to aim to a preparation of the highest level.”

“Luca is a great professional, serious, experienced and competent. He has a great ability to communicate and empathize with athletes as well as the ability to to catalyse attention and stimulate the interest and commitment of all both in one to one work but also, which is much more difficult, in large groups. It is very clear in the demonstration and explanation of the trainings to everyone because he also speaks English perfectly and is therefore always available to give explanations on the methodology and purposes of his work to both athletes and coaches. Always open to discussion and personal needs. I had the pleasure of working with Luca both on the occasion of a federal 3F foil training in 2018, and at the International foil sumner camp in Lignano in 2021. I think a collaboration with him is really a great opportunity for those who want to grow!”

“I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Luca during two foil camps organized by the Italian Fencing Federation dedicated to 13 and 14 year olds, the 3F in 2017 and 2018. He is a coach with undoubted high technical and managerial skills because making more than thirty kids work with interest and commitment at a time, requires the right amount of charisma and authority. Luca is one of the best professionals I know, attentive to the needs of every single athlete with his ability to immediately establish understanding and trust.”

“I enjoyed working with Luca as Coach of the Italian national fencing team and coach of several world and Olympic level fencers, with him I had the opportunity to collaborate on various preparation projects for world championships and Olympics. Able to listen to my requests and managed to improve the specific skills and make up for the physical shortcomings of my athletes. Working with Luca has been a great help for me. Listening to my requests, he always managed to give me concrete practical solutions. His skills and his abilities, I’m sure, will be a great asset to any athlete or team.”

“Working with Luca means having weekly check-ups on the effort put into the various workout sessions, which helps me discuss about upcoming competitions, fatigue, as well as specific questions revolving the weekly drills. Thanks to these punctual meetings, Luca chooses specific workouts which he assigns to me on a weekly basis. His coaching not only limits itself to organising the week, for it extends also into every session that I go through. Moreover, Luca comments my exercises video recorded and gives me instructions on how to correct posture, intensity, and general mobility.”