Fitness a factor?

[Zip06]

Why is this a discussion? The answer is apparent. I think that people who believe you don't have to be fit usually are not and are trying to justify that fact. Healthy, fit people will naturally have more endurance, better health and higher energy levels . . . in general terms. This is not to be confused with training.

 

[Diggers]

Interesting thread.

When reading one of those threads about how to take a gun into the shower (because you never know!)

I've always wondered what other precautions these folks take if they are this worried about killed.

Do they eat well? Wear their seatbelt? Drive the speed limit? Look both ways when they cross the street?

Good to see the are a lot of practical folks here who understand what the more likely threats to us really are.

 

[Armored farmer]

I have always been a big guy and in pretty good shape due mostly to hard work/genetics.
About 18 mos ago a neighbor asked me to help him catch a steer that needed some "doctoring". After running a few laps in the pasture we got a rope around him, at which point he proceded to drag us around the pasture a few laps (pretty healthy for a sick calf). We finally got him under control, and proceded to give the shots, etc and I decided to hold him while my buddy went for more meds. Another struggle ensued this time I was alone. I discovered that...I(pant) ....was ....out of.....(gasp) breath....and probably couldn't control an alleycat let alone a 300# steer.
That event prompted me to lose 40# and get back into shape. I feel much better and enjoy hunting/walking more. I didn't even realize I was in such poor condition.
Physical fitness should be step 1 of self defence. For most of us it won't be the "bad guy" or bear or mtn lion that gets us....it will be heart attack or stroke. They don't make a gun to defend against that.

I also see the gym rats or health food nuts that marinate their livers in booze every wknd...that kinda defeats the purpose too.

 

[speaksoftly]

you have a better workout regimen than 95% of America.

That's not saying much at all haha. I love Texas to death but the people here are absolutely huge! Everything really is bigger in Texas. Haha

When reading one of those threads about how to take a gun into the shower (because you never know!)

Seriously? Haha pleeeeeeeeease post a link!

 

[ForumSurfer]

I work out regularly. Sometimes I can't get into the gym. Sometimes I run in my area and use dumbbells in my home or at the office.

I've been poked fun at for being "one of those fitness weirdos" or "one of those self absorbed guys who spend too much time in the gym." I'm not, I simply don't over indulge and I workout when my busy schedule permits. When I was chunky, I never once had anyone poke fun at me (other than my girlfriend poking my belly and making the Pillsbury dough boy" sound.

People get sensitive about their health, it's a touchy subject. While it isn't necessary per say to stay in tip top health for a self-defense shooting scenario, it is important none the less. Cholesterol and obesity kill far more people than bullets in America.

I like living. I like being a dad. I like providing for my family. I like having a great girlfriend (read:fiance to be). I'm 33. I'm a candidate for cancer since almost everyone in my family on mom's side has died from it or had it shorten their lifespan. To ignore all this and not take care of my body seems silly to me.

My son was my single biggest inspiration. 5 years old at the time, asthmatic, horrible allergies (kind of a problem on a grass ball field adjacent to a hay field!) with a limited range of motion in his right ankle. Does that slow him down? No. He asked to sign up for t-ball. He got out there and played with the best of them, giving %110 without needing much encouragement. If he can do that in spite of all his problems without complaint, I told myself that I have zero excuse for being a little pudgy.

In response to the op: I think fitness matters in a self defense shooting. If you are fit, you are alert, you are faster and your reaction times are quicker. Fitness is pretty far down on the list of necessary skills one needs to defend himself...but pretty high as a life priority. Like it or not, people who don't eat well and are in poor shape are more of health risk than people in shape. It is what it is.

 

[strambo]

I've been poked fun at for being "one of those fitness weirdos" or "one of those self absorbed guys who spend too much time in the gym." I'm not, I simply don't over indulge and I workout when my busy schedule permits. When I was chunky, I never once had anyone poke fun at me (other than my girlfriend poking my belly and making the Pillsbury dough boy" sound.

Don't you just love human nature? Others trying to tear you down to their level...but when you were "chunky" not having the stones to call you on it to help build you up? Heck, even making fun of your size would at least have been negative reinforcement of the un-healthy behavior.

Here's some positive reinforcement: good work, you are normal and smart to keep fit and balance it with the rest of your obligations. I work out at home in order to save time of travel to and from the gym. I also do stuff like deliberately walk up 5 stories to the roof, then down six just to use the restroom, then back to my second floor office. If I'm feeling really spunky, I'll do 10 push ups or lunges (alternate) on each landing.

 

[mcdonl]

I make fun of gym rats all the time. I compete in highland games heavy athletics and I get a kick out of the guys with the pencil legs that can bench press 400 pounds... or huge biceps but couldn't squat their weight.

If you are going to lift, try to have a purpose... if strength is your game... join a corporate track team or highland games in your area.

Run some races, join a mens league bball club... you will find that being an athlete is a LOT different then having big bench numbers.

And, when it comes to self defense unless the BG wants to arm wrestle you or have a posing contest you should consider athletic training... if you can run, jump and throw as well as you can lift and shoot you will be much better off.

Besides, it gives you better bench marks than just pounds and reps.

 

[Silvanus]

For me it's very important. I never understood why so many people on firearms/survival forums are paranoid about carrying a guns and other weapon for personal protection, but completely disregard physical fitness. I admit I enjoy working out a lot (weightlifting, martial arts, running, ...), but even if I didn't I would try to maintain a certain level of fitness, especially since I too am very concerned about self defence and I think that's just as big a part of it as guns.

 

[skoro]

Of course it is!

A physically fit individual will be better able to defend him/herself better than if he/she were in poor condition. I can't imagine a circumstance where poor conditioning would be an advantage.

That said, I could stand to lose a few pounds. I kept myself in very good condition until I turned 50 a few years back, then I kind of let myself go. I still exercise some, but not as long or as strenuously as I used to. But I still have the strength and stamina to hold my own. Hope I'll be able to say that 20 years from now.

 

[ForumSurfer]

I get a kick out of the guys with the pencil legs that can bench press 400 pounds... or huge biceps but couldn't squat their weight.

I get a kick out of that, too. Those are also the same guys who volunteer advice on what you are doing wrong at the gym. I can't bench as much as those guys, but I can bench and squat well over my own weight. I don't have tiny calves or thighs. There's a guy in my gym that my girlfriend calls spongebob. He looks like spongebob on the episode where he had inflatable arms. Huge arms and chest, but calves that are tinier than guys half his weight. He prides himself on benching 400+. IMO, he's not in good shape and unhealthy.

I try to keep a well rounded workout. I try to isolate 2-3 areas a night, and workout at least 3 nights. I'm 5'10 170. When I started, I was 5'10" 180. The weight distribution and measurements are all complete different.

On a a more firearm related subject, I still wear the same size "chunky" jeans. The difference now is that they do not fit right except for when I carry IWB.

 

[hso]

If the choice is between time in the gym and time at a dojo/kwoon spend the time at the school.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

It helps when you have to run away. (This is not as facetious as it might sound.) More seriously, if you order your life so as to avoid dangerous situations in the first place, poor health is more likely to do you in prematurely than violent crime.

 

[Quickstrike]

Fitness is often neglected in the gun-crowd.

I dunno why. IMO people are lot more likely to die from heart/weight problems than gunfights.

Perhaps handling and talking about guns is easy compared to conditioning your body. Like, "I r also a warroir, without bustin' a sweat! "

I was thinking that since mobility is important in combat, then being in shape is REAAALLY important, especially fighting outside, running for cover, etc.

Much more so should you get hurt, and people have to drag your butt to cover or climbing over things.

Being faster on your feet in running to&from cover = less reaction time for the badguys to nail you.

I dunno where I get these ideas, maybe that's why they make soldiers do PT's?

An 1.5 hours a day of actual work, 4 days a week. And eat in moderation...

Easy stuff.

As a nation, it seems like we are succumbing to temptations of quick gratifications and losing our self discipline/common sense.

Some of my co-workers only changed their ways because the doctor told them of an early death. Some people don't even bother changing and just accept it...

[/RANT]

 

[Quickstrike]

lol

Don't even get me started on the "Chest and Bi's" guys and gym rats that joooice.


Why can't people be modest and humble, only lifting so they can more effectively destroy others? Can they not walk about robed and mysterious with a hidden power that baffles the common man?!

 

[sm]

Here awhile back, I chose to walk exactly 3.5 miles, with a duffel bag that weighed about 12 pounds, wearing work boots. I made one stop, to use the restroom, and get another bottle of water.
It took me 48 minutes.

I am a 55 y/o male, and I smoke. I probably would have made better time, if some traffic was not present, or, difficulties getting my cigarettes lit.

I have since walked the same route, wearing tennis shoes, with no stops, better traffic, and no duffel bag and my time was 42 minutes.


*use enough stride*

 

[Wolfeye]

My wife's a fitness instructor, and yesterday she fed me some statistic that most Americans believe that they are in better shape than average. I don't think the average shooter thinks any differently, which means that most shooters are in worse shape than they like to think. I think the vast majority of us could stand to do more cardio exercise and cut out junk food.

I think fitness is just one part of living a life that focuses on the well-being of yourself and your family. Other important aspects are spiritual growth, a good work ethic, staying aware of what's going on around you, training to protect your family, keeping your mind active... you get the idea. You have to keep pushing to do what's best for yourself & your loved ones. Fitness is one chunk of the whole.

 

[sidheshooter]

I started training in okinawan karate in 1981. I still dink around with the arts, as well as lift and hike.

Despite that, I never feel like I'm any sort of great physical specimen until I poke my head into a mall or wal mart. Then I feel more fit than average.

I'll never be an Olympic biathlete, but I can still run and kick, so that's at least something.

I'm with others here that view a modicum of fitness as part of a balanced life.

 

[Averageman]

If it ever all falls apart I wonder what the Legions of WalMart people too fat to walk the isles will do?
I came back from WalMart an Hour ago, I saw one of the largest Human Beings on earth walk from a van to a Handi Cart. It flopped down and jiggled and took off through the store. I ran into it again as I was purchasing dry roasted peanuts. It had bags of Doritos, a case of Soda and Ho-Ho's. I have no idea how someone that big can breathe let alone defend themselves.
I cant help but wonder what will happen to these folks in an uncertain future.
A sound mind is a direct link to a sound body in most cases; a problem with either is a problem for both.
Before retiring I tried to create a Biathalon type event for Soldiers, you run from one small arms range to another and load and fire for running time and scored targets. Clearly this would have been an asset to guys slogging up and down Afghanastan now.
Someone recently told me that less than 25% of American Men are physically, Mentally and Morally qualified to serve in the defence of our Country with current regulations. Go to a High School, better yet substitute teach for one day and you might guess this to be right.
Collectively we need to get up and start moving before it is too late...
This thread has me ready to go to the gym now.

 

[HappyHunting]

Ah. You wan't to know what irony is... The better shape you are in, the more likely you are to have the judge and jury come down on you.

I'm 180 pounds, 6'1'', and 21 years old. I am lifting in the gym 5 days a week and on my off days I do some sort of cardio. Unless there is some castle doctrine sort of immunity in a shooting case, I would likely catch hell for how I am more than capable of defending myself with my bare hands. I would need extenuating circumstances or I go away because people would think a butt-whipping would be unlikely to cause me serious bodily harm or death.
HH

 

[1911Tuner]

Hap...That's one of the few advantages to bein' too old and tired to make a stand, and too crippled up to run. Yeah. Ask me how I know... *sigh*

 

[hso]

Regardless of what you do you're likely to die of old age or illness than violence.

The Viking warrior fantasy is just fantasy these days unless you intentionally select a hazardous career.

 

[shockwave]

It isn't really enough to simply condition yourself physically. It is vital to study a range of physical arts, whether gymnastics, martial arts, dancing, something to teach the principles of movement and balance and train your muscles and reflexes to respond automatically to challenges. What you gain from regular stretching and movement will protect you from falls, slips, and allow you to survive the real hazards of life.

Check out a life insurance actuarial table sometime. Ocean liner sinking? Plane crash? That's a million-dollar payout. Slip from a ladder at home? $10,000. Slip in the shower and crack your skull? $10,000. Your number-one most serious threat to your life and health is likely to be some numbskull thing you do when you're not paying attention.

 

[Bluehawk]

It's so easy when you're young to tell everyone to get up and run, exercise, etc because it's not all that hard to do...when you are still young!!!!!! When you are older, disabled, can barely walk more than a few blocks...can't do squats...situps...can't lift more than 25 pounds per doctor's orders...exercise becomes a real problem!!!!!
I was in excellent shape all my adult life...studied Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan and later Hap Do Sool. Was a police officer for a number of years...never injured...became an aircraft mechanic and nearly became paralyzed. Now I sit home...shoot once in awhile to keep that skill intact and practice archery also. From my Army, police and martial arts training I believe this "old man" can still best most of you "in shape" pups if it boils down to a shootout because winning is 90% training of the mind...not the body!!!!!!

 

[HGUNHNTR]

I run 30 miles a week, and race my road bike competitively. I recently completed my first 100 mile bike ride, great funa nd a wonderful sense of accomplishment. I guess I'm hooked on the benefits fitness and a proper diet provide. I wish I could shoot as much as I run/bike, but that would just get too costly, in addition I can go for a run throughout my neighborhood, its a good 1 hr drive one way just to get to a decent range.

 

[19-3Ben]

HGUNHNTR-
Nice to see another cyclist. I did a century back in June for the American Diabetes Assoc.

I love distance riding. PM me if you want to talk bikes.