Physical fitness for self-defense?

[hansenator]

Hi all,

I'm interested in people's opinions on what fitness qualities would be most important in a self-defense scenario. Running would be on top of my list but what if that's not an option. I suppose more of everything would help but since it's not not easy training for everything, where would you focus your efforts?

[sensei8]

Physicality is an important element, but not everyone attacked is physically fit. So, for me, it's the effectively applied applications through acquired knowledge; hence, learning the necessary nuts and bolts of self-defense in a real world way as to rid it of fancy unrealistic methods!!

[hansenator]

That's a good point. I was thinking more as a supplement to normal training and preparation. Since it's not a competition, there's no worry about weight classes and the environment and conditions would certainly be different.

[DWx]

That's a good point. I was thinking more as a supplement to normal training and preparation. Since it's not a competition, there's no worry about weight classes and the environment and conditions would certainly be different.

It's not a competition but it might be useful to look at what conditioning competition fighters are undertaking. What allows them to keep hitting and keep getting hit? Strength (explosive) and endurance are both necessary.

One hit, one kill is a nice ideal to aim for but in reality you might have to take a few shots first and dish a few out over the course of a fight.

[bushido_man96]

I think building strength is important. Muscle helps protect the body, so having some strength is important. Also, some explosive, anaerobic exercising would be good, too, which would allow you to explode in short bursts with attacks, and if those are powerful enough, it gives you a window to get away.

[sensei8]

I think building strength is important. Muscle helps protect the body, so having some strength is important. Also, some explosive, anaerobic exercising would be good, too, which would allow you to explode in short bursts with attacks, and if those are powerful enough, it gives you a window to get away.

Solid post!!

[hansenator]

I think building strength is important. Muscle helps protect the body, so having some strength is important. Also, some explosive, anaerobic exercising would be good, too, which would allow you to explode in short bursts with attacks, and if those are powerful enough, it gives you a window to get away.

That's kind of what I was thinking. If you don't have to stay in a certain weight class, you don't have to worry about becoming too heavy. Dan John has written about "armor building". The idea is to build muscle and toughen up to help protect you during contact sports like football.

If you combine strength and explosiveness with solid technique, I think that's a winning combination. The hardest kicker I've come across by far was lean, muscular, athletic, and had great technique. Holding the Thai pads for him was an experience I won't forget.

[Wastelander]

I'm a very poor runner--my lungs are permanently damaged from childhood asthma, my feet are pronated, and my knees are bad. I can't run very fast for very long, even under the influence of adrenaline. For self defense purposes, for me, it's important to be able to deliver maximum damage in a very short time so I can escape at a sustainable pace. Strength/explosiveness (and technique, of course) are very important for that, in my opinion.

[andym]

All round conditioning is very important. There have been times when the only reason I have won fights, is I was in far better condition than the other guys !

[Alan Armstrong]

Training for self defense purposes, I would suggest first learning which type of fighter category you would belong to. There are three basic styles and like the game rock, paper and scissors one style is better at defeating another style. The ROCK is the heavy hitter best at defeating the inside fighter SCISSORS. PAPER is the outside fighter better equipped to beat the heavy hitter ROCK. You can also be an ADAPTABLE fighter changing strategy from all three. Or base your style incorporating two styles at the same time. Such as an inside heavy hitter. Or an outside heavy hitter. Also can train to be a quick inside/outside fighter. Personally I'm the adaptable type; it is the most challenging one to be. If you are already a heavy hitter ROCK, then I would suggest incorporating the inside SISSORS strategy with ROCK! Because most people with fighting experience take the PAPER outside stance, presumably they started the fight.