Let’s talk about something that sometimes gets overlooked by firearms enthusiasts; fitness. If you’re serious about protecting yourself, you need to be in your top physical shape. Here’s why being fit is just as important as having firearm skills. What if you're in a situation where you can’t use your firearm. Maybe it’s not within arm’s reach or you’re in a physical altercation that’s not life-threatening; It’s just a straight up hand to hand fight. If you don’t have the stamina or strength to stay in the fight, all that firearm training you’ve done won’t mean a thing.
Course participant seen here defending empty handed against a “knife attack”. Gotta be light on your feet and come with explosive energy.
Stamina and Strength
Being in top physical shape gives you the stamina and strength to handle yourself better in any situation. That could be you running for cover, fighting off an attacker, helping someone in distress, or a physical fight. Cardio exercises like running, cycling, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) improve your heart and lung capacity, so you can keep going when you need to. Building muscle through strength training not only makes you stronger but also helps in situations where brute force might be necessary. You don’t have to be totally ripped but there should be a balanced of fitness that combines strength, endurance, and flexibility. Even moderate improvements in your fitness can enhance your ability in a major way, giving you the ability to effectively respond in critical situations.
No Excuses
We know it can be hard to get started with regular exercise. But here’s the thing; if you just muster up enough energy to start, your body responds in amazing ways. When you exercise, your brain releases endorphins, dopamine and endocannabinoids, hormones that boost your mood, encourage you to keep exercising and give you a sense of accomplishment. You’ve probably heard about the “runner’s high”. Trust me, it’s not a myth; there’s real science behind it. If you’re having a day where you feel like you’re about to explode? Go take it out on the weights or pound the pavement! These hormones help reduce stress and anxiety, and you’ll feel more energized and emotionally balanced. Starting your exercise routine might be tough, but once you get moving, your body will thank you.
Lead Instructor, Dan Spagone’s fitness center. Protectors have to put that work in to protect.
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Know Your Limits
Everyone has physical limitations so it’s important to train smart. Know your body, understand your limits, and find ways to push yourself a little further each time. If you have injuries or conditions, make necessary modifications to your workouts. The key is consistency and gradual progression. Keep in mind that our brains often give up before our bodies do. We might think we can’t do more, but in reality, we can push a bit further.
Mind Over Matter
Training your body also trains your mind. The discipline, focus, and kick-butt mental toughness you develop translate directly into your self-defense skills. You learn to push through discomfort, stay calm under pressure, and maintain control in high-stress situations. These mental skills are just as vital as the physical ones.
This training involves putting threats down around the vehicle and rescuing a “baby”.
Conclusion
At Intuitive Self Protection, we believe that fitness and firearms skills go hand in hand. So, no more excuses. Get moving, build your strength and stamina, and be prepared to handle whatever comes your way. And remember, sometimes your hands and body are your only weapons, which is why we offer Empty Hand courses. We also offer Edged Weapon courses where you’ll learn to defend against and use edged weapons. Both require that use your physical fitness to your advantage when you need to fight with what you’ve got.
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About The Author
Hank Hayes is a Combat Arts Hall of Famer and inventor of the No Lie Blade. He is the founder and CEO of both Intuitive Self Protection and NLB Tactical and creator of the ISP/NLB viscous fighting system. Since 1998, he has trained well over 30,000 Military and Law Enforcement personnel via Government contract mainly at the elite special teams level and continues to train both civilians and MIL/LE how to come home safe.
