Fight Training Fitness – An Interview with Tony Blauer
Tony Blauer is the founder of Blauer Tactical Systems, a consulting firm that has developed innovative personal defense and combative skills based on physiological responses to danger. Blauer Tactical Systems has consulted for many U.S. military and law enforcement groups and offers training for law enforcement, military, self-defense instructors, and civilians interested in research-based self-defense.
As one of the original advocates of reality-based self-defense, Mr. Blauer has pioneered research and training methodologies that have influenced and inspired martial art and combative systems around the world. He is the creator of the S.P.E.A.R. System™ (Spontaneous Protection Enabling Accelerated Response), a medically and scientifically reviewed system that utilizes the body’s natural physiological response to surprise attacks in extreme close-quarter confrontations. Training scenarios are designed to effectively simulate real encounters. Students learn performance psychology and fear management as well as combatives and personal defense readiness.
An avid CrossFitter, Tony Blauer taught Combatives/Personal Defense Readiness at CrossFit’s Training Seminar this past July. I spoke with him in late December about self-defense and physical fitness.
Given that most fights only last three to five minutes, why is physical fitness important in a fight?
Real fights actually last only ten to fifteen seconds. A fight that lasts three to five minutes isn’t a fight; that’s more like a round in a UFC match. Real street confrontations are over in ten or fifteen seconds, and that’s important to know because if you don’t really understand how to analyze the confrontation, you can’t prepare for it as effectively.
Microgyms
For every hundred box gyms in each city, someone somewhere is doing something a little different. Microgyms have been popping out of the woodwork slowly and steadily. And while many gyms are filled with treadmills and exercise machines and unqualified “coaches,” some facilities have really taken things to the next level. The common denominators? Being open-minded enough to try new things, but critical and methodical enough to test theories and ideas. Seeking solutions to problems, wherever they can be found. Finding a balance between cutting edge practices and the good ol’ effective, time-tested basics. Learning from clients as well as colleagues. Seeking out ongoing education and research to stay up to speed with new developments. Investing in or even developing the most effective equipment, but not allowing obstacles (monetary or otherwise) to get in the way. From backyard gyms to residential training, from Virginia to Arizona, Massachusetts to Utah, here’s our pick of inspirational microgyms that we’re impressed with.
The Strength Shop
http://www.thestrengthshopvb.com
http://thestrengthshop.blogspot.com
Matt Wichlinski opened the Strength Shop in June 2009 because it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to train his athletes at commercial gyms. “People tend to get a little uneasy when you are swinging, throwing and slamming various objects around,” he explained. Wichlinski, a two-time All-American NCAA Football Player, trains athletes who compete in sports like wrestling, kickboxing, BJJ, MMA, baseball, football and basketball as well as military and general fitness enthusiasts.
Back to Basics: Rachel Cosgrove
Rachel Cosgrove has really run the gamut in the fitness world. She’s completed a full Ironman, set an American record in powerlifting with a 297.6 lb deadlift, qualified for the Fitness America National Championships. She’s coached athletes getting ready for triathlons, completed a Physiology degree and snatched a US Olympic Weightlifting cert. She is a co-owner of Results Fitness in California, featured in Men’s Health as one of the top ten gyms in the US. Cosgrove put her years of varied experiences and training together in an accessible, informative book for women: The Female Body Breakthrough: The Revolutionary Strength-Training Plan for Losing Fat and Getting the Body You Want.
In your book, the entire first month was mostly corrective exercises.
Yeah, I took all of the usual imbalances I see with women, which is usually anterior pelvic tilt, usually they don’t know how to switch on their butt, what we call gluteal amnesia, so we need to get their brain to say okay but we need to wake up.
