How to make a weapon

We commonly debate the usability, and the quality of weapons. My recent poll is an example of this.

Is a club, bat, knife, or gun better? Brass knuckles?

Rather than go though and try to compare the abilities or weaknesses of each weapon, I wanted to write about the one weapon that we all have: Our Bodies.

Our Bodies are the only weapon that you can carry anywhere. Most importantly, your brain.

As Tristan's last article pointed out, your senses are your best weapon. Thinking and reacting before the violence is always your best option. Know when to shut up, know when to run. Pick your battles.

Know what "ground" you are on. http://suntzusaid.com/book/11

However, protecting your brain when violence shows up, is perhaps your biggest priority. You MUST use your body to protect your brain if you wish to survive.

So how do you forge the bag of Water and Carbon that holds your brain in a case of calcium?

1. Train your brain.
2. Weaponize your body.

These are the two elements that are essential to surviving violence.

This blog (and class) is much about both. Study, learning, and training is the only way to develop these. There is no magic pill...

How does a Martial Artist weaponize his body?

Do you sit under nautilus machines? Bench Press? Curls? Expensive gym memberships? Protein Shakes?

You must train your body for the activity you want to preform. If you want to set a bench press record, do bench press.

If you want to have big arms so girls like you, do curls.

If you want to have a social club, get a gym membership.

However, I want to let you know that there is more to weaponizing your body than going to the gym.

For functional combat strength, you must be able to preform powerful moves in EVERY direction. They must be explosive, accurate, and flexible.

There are many resources on this type of strength. Do many different workouts to prepare yourself for survival.

Here are some suggestions for all Survival Students (in no particular order):

-Kettlebells: power, balance, endurance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATsOHcuEwIo&feature=g-all-f&context=G23b0da4FAAAAAAAAHAA

-Body Weight Exercises: Power http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EpiAW7jnVs (Read the book!)

-Body Weight Exercises: Endurance/explosiveness. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkD9LwDBWW0 (btw, if you can do this, you are a badass)

There are countless more exercises that everyone should do, but I wanted to give you all something to work with.

Go forth to bad-asshood!

"When there is freedom from mechanical conditioning, there is simplicity. The classical man is just a bundle of routine, ideas and tradition. If you follow the classical pattern, you are understanding the routine, the tradition, the shadow - you are not understanding yourself." - Bruce Lee