Self Improvement

Fighting is a Metaphor for life.

Struggle within -- Struggle without

The natural order on earth is to...

• struggle at work
• struggle with relationships
• struggle in the world
• struggle between nations
• struggle in nature
• struggle at home
• struggle in your conscience
• struggle in communities
• struggle in you emotions
• struggle in business
• Struggle for peace - security - fulfillment
• Struggle just to count all the things we can struggle with!

So...learn how to struggle well!

Become a person who:

1. Chooses their battles wisely, and finishes what they start
2. Finds a way to get things done, regardless of opposition
3. Thinks strategically and looks at the big picture
4. Has the conviction to know what is worth fighting for and what/who would be worth dying for.

Of course this doesn't mean becoming a bully or a brute!

Assuming that you have no desire to "beat people up", there is a lot to be gained by learning the art of struggle. The observations from Sun Tsu's famous book "The Art of War" have been applied to a number of other subjects over the centuries.

Traditional martial arts has always been practiced in a way that stimulates growth in all aspects of life:

Physically: Strength, flexibility, balance, reflexes, timing etc.

Mentally: Strategy, wit, analysis, synthesis, memorization, resilience, perseverance, etc.

Spiritually: Causes you to think about the meaning of life, and what things are worth fighting for.

We combine traditional values, with modern techniques and applications.

This world is difficult...practice a discipline that fosters holistic growth and development.

BACK TO FITNESS BOXING

Beginning Adults

I cannot stress this enough...

YOU DO NOT NEED ANY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE TO PARTICIPATE

• I specialize in helping new people start at the very beginning.
• There is plenty of patience to go around. We believe that slow and steady wins the race.
• You will be helped along every step of the way. (Then you will be able to help others who come after you)
• Everyone in class is both a student and a coach.

The only thing that you need, which I can't give you, is the DESIRE to learn boxing and get in shape!

I assume you are on the website because boxing interests you, and who doesn't need some exercise? So, why not give it a try?

As a word of encouragement:

The training is hard work but the results are well worth it.

BACK TO FITNESS BOXING

Adult Classes

Why adult only classes?

We do one thing, and we do it well.

There are no other clubs that I know of that are specifically for adults who want to learn later in life.

This is a special niche club for people who want to learn the techniques and skills of boxing, (including an exercise program) but don't want all the injuries and bruises. We all need to go to work tomorrow :-)

Most programs are children's classes with a few adults who happen along, while others are fight clubs focusing on competitors who want to "test their skills".

Mature adults don't usually want to train in a kid centered environment, and they also don't want the risks and injuries associated with a fight gym.

A FEW BENEFITS OF AN ADULT ONLY CLASSES

• An increased sense of camaraderie due to sharing the same phase of life.
• Shared desire for safety since everyone has important responsibilities outside of class.
• The ability to teach and learn more "serious" self-defense material which doesn't belong in the hands of youth.
• A greater appreciation for the Long-Term benefits. Health, fitness, and the ability to enjoy a greater quality of life.
• Easier communication and cooperation. Greater maturity = Greater focus = Faster learning.

BACK TO FITNESS BOXING

Small Classes

Class size is limited to aproximately 12 people. This allows for me to know the needs and goals of each person in the class. There is plenty of opportunity to ask your questions, and to have personalized training.

The small classes help foster teamwork and close relationships petween partners. Having training partners who work well together allows you to learn faster and to safely challenge yourself.

BACK TO FITNESS BOXING

Kind Words

Many Thanks For The Kind Words!

"Bill's class has been amazing; while I have been actively working out for 25-plus years, the combination of coordination, flexibility, speed, and power that is incorporated in Bill's program has been transforming for me. That combined with the real-world self-defense aspects of the instruction makes the program phenomenal"

- Toby Reh

"I've done a lot of different types of exercise,

and I like Fitness Boxing the most.

You get out aggression, learn some good skills,

sweat, get tired, and sleep good.

Bill is a great teacher, it is a good atmosphere,

and there is good comradery"

--Syl Haberer

Fitness Boxing is definitely the most intense, yet fulfilling and FUN work out I have experienced. The atmosphere of the class is laid back and casual even when we are sweating bullets! The great thing about the class is that it appeals to every age/gender/skill level and there is always room for improvement. It is a class where you can move along at a pace you are comfortable with and will undoubtably see results within a couple of weeks!
--Lindsay Scott

I am writing this letter on behalf of Bill Gucker, who has worked with as a conditioning consultant for the RIT men’s lacrosse team. I have worked very closely with Bill and his company in the past four months, as he was the primary off-season trainer for the RIT Men’s lacrosse Team. I feel that Bill is an outstanding trainer in many different aspects and has worked with our athletes in regards to conditioning, speed training, flexibility and core streghtning.

Bill is one of the most thorough trainers I have ever worked with. He educates and motivates the players off the field on how to properly prepare themselves for the season. He has developed a program and system that allows the students he has mentored to work hard with all conditioning and with all injury prevention. He is an excellent trainer and is always looking out for the student’s behalf. This season, I have observed him in his sessions and he is very articulate, patient, demonstrative and communicates very well with the players and coaches.

Bill has been a huge asset to RIT Men’s Lacrosse. He has brought a ton of ideas to our off and in season workout programs. Our players love when “Karate Bill” comes to campus and works with our team. His energy, knowledge and dedication to our athletes has really gone noticed and we look forward to continue or relationship with Bill.

Gene Peluso

Head Lacrosse Coach

Assistant Director of Athletic Development

Rochester Institute of Technology

BACK TO FITNESS BOXING

The Leopard and The Poodle

A wealthy old lady decides to go on a photo safari in Africa, taking her faithful aged poodle named Cuddles, along for the company.

Oneday the poodle starts chasing butterflies and before long, Cuddles discovers that she's lost. Wandering about, she notices a young leopard heading rapidly in her direction with the intention of having lunch. 

The old poodle thinks, "Oh, oh! I'm in deep trouble now!" Noticing some bones on the ground close by, she immediately settles down to chew on the bones with her back to the approaching cat. 

Just as the leopard is about to leap, the old poodle exclaims loudly, "Boy, that was one delicious leopard! I wonder if there are any more around here?" 

Hearing this, the young leopard halts his attack in mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees. "Whew!", says the leopard, "That was close! That old poodle nearly had me!" 

Meanwhile, a monkey who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the leopard. 

So off he goes, but the old poodle sees him heading after the leopard with great speed, and figures that something must be up. 

The monkey soon catches up with the leopard, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the leopard. 

The young leopard is furious at being made a fool of and says, "Here, monkey, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine!" 

Now, the old poodle sees the leopard coming with the monkey on his back and thinks, "What am I going to do now?", but instead of running, the dog sits down with her back to her attackers, pretending she hasn't seen them yet, and just when they get close enough to hear, the old poodle says: "Where's that damn monkey? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another leopard!" 

Moral of this story.. 

Don't mess with old farts...experience and wisdom will always overcome youth and skill!

Street MMA

Since there are no universally accepted categories defining JKD Concepts (STREET MMA), and the MMA you see on TV today in events such as the UFC, I will try to make a distinction.

If your goal is to win matches in a game, then you train to that end. You train to fight in a ring (or cage) where you will square off against a single equally matched opponent. There is a referee to ensure all players hold to agreed upon standards and rules of conduct. These rules prohibit the use of concealed weapons, and attacks that are aimed a permanent injury, disfiguration, and death. In short, the sport of MMA eliminates a number of variables that can be present in a real world confrontation, and therefore will change your training methodology.

A responsible practice of STREET MMA must ask different questions and develop different scenarios. 

You Must Address:

• Handling multiple attackers
• Staying on your feet, rather than going to the ground
• Environmental dangers or advantages (falling on stairs, finding exits)
• Handling an armed assailant
• Making use of an available weapon
• Dirty Attacks - biting, eye gouging, finger locks, strangulations
• Moral and emotional elements

I'm not trying to make "which is better" comparisons, but make a distinction in training methodologies so you can choose the one that is right for you.  Many MMA athletes could ruin my day in the ring with superior conditioning, youthful vigor, and more tools designed to submit an opponent. My only hope against an opponent like that is to have a different bag of tricks, and that requires a different training methodology.

As the old proverb goes: Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill

Click Here For a Great Story: Leopard and the Poodle

November Testing

Here are some pics from last testing.

The purpose of testing is to push your limits to know where they are, and measure how much they have grown.

WARMUPS



Here is Toby strutting his new Testing fashion. I figure that with the amount of time it took him to make that shirt, billed at his lawyering rates, it would have to be the most expensive piece of clothing on the training floor :-)

FASHION

ACTION

FINISH

Jab till you drop

Here is some video of the "Jab Punchout"
Whew what a burn!

A little more... Feel those shoulders...go till you can't go no more!

(Yes, Jeff's gloves are pink. At least he's tough enough that nobody will say anything)

Types of Martial Arts Schools

What type of martial arts school are you looking for?
There are a number of different categories that a school may fall into.

Traditional Schools - Main emphasis is to preserve culture and heritage. These schools seek to embody the roots from which they came, and often have a very ethnic flair to them (Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Greek, etc). they tend to be very systematic in their approach to training, utilize curriculum, and tend to maintain a very conservative approach to change. Usually the curriculum is based on ancient strategies / needs with varying degrees of relevance for contemporary times.
Strength: Consistency
Weakness: Relevance

Family / Children's Schools - This type of school emphasizes character and values with the desire to develop discipline and confidence. A family school can use just about any "style" of martial arts to produce these results. The instructors are usually very positive and upbeat personalities.
Strength: Character & Teamwork
Weakness: Watered down to accommodate everyone

Competition Schools - This type of school is geared for competitive events. The main martial sports are Judo, Tae Kwon Do, MMA, Boxing, or Wrestling. These have potential for Olympics or professional competition, and they are usually very focused on preparing for that sport.
Strength: Tried and tested athletes
Weakness: Bound by rules of sport

Fitness Schools - These schools usually have a simple curriculum, and easy to learn movements. This allows them to focus on the exercise and fitness aspects of training. They usually offer a full body workout which includes flexibility, cardiovascular, and muscular development. Fast paced classes make for an intense calorie burning workout.
Strength: Health, Fitness, and Weight Loss
Weakness: Lack of depth for long term motivation

Self-Defense Schools - Committed to the essence of Martial Arts (learning to survive a physical encounter). Usually has a simple straightforward approach to contemporary self defense situations. They are less rigid and are always adapting and changing to meet the current needs. They usually address all aspects of combat while keeping it simple enough to learn quickly.
Strength: Practical Self-Defense
Weakness: I don't know, I'm biased :-)

Show/Performance Schools - These schools represent the theatrical style that is suited for demonstrations, movies, and performance competition. The utilize acrobatics, gymnastics, and stunt training to produce a form of martial arts that is exceptionally appealing to the senses. Similar to skateboarding and other X-Games they are always trying to develop the next "move" or "trick".
Strength: Excitement & Athleticism
Weakness: More "art" than "martial"


Every school must prioritize their goals, and each program needs to choose which categories it will focus on. Many schools combine a few categories in different ratios.

The mix I aim for in my school is 1/2 Fitness, 1/2 Self Defense

I like practicality, and I am not so much interested in tradition, or performance. I appreciate the character building aspects, but since my classes are mostly older adults, I look for people who already have some character. I used to be into competition, but as I get older I really don't care about it as much as I used to.


ORDER OF PRIORITIES

#1 Safety - People CAN'T train if they get hurt, and injury is counter productive.

#2 Enjoyment - People WON'T train if they are not enjoying the process.

#3 Fitness - Because more people in America die from being FAT than from assaults. As a culture there is a need for purposeful exercise that is enjoyable enough to stick with. Plus, fitness increases your ability to enjoy life and be productive.

#4 Self Defense - Because it is a skill set that is relevant for any age, and it addresses the nature of conflict, which like it or not is a very real part of life in this world. Plus, if you're going to study martial arts, it's nice to know that what your studying is effective in the real world.


A Quick note on Choosing a School

1) Find a school that aligns with your purposes and goals. Beware of people who "offer it all"

2) Don't worry about choosing a "style" because a kick is a kick and a punch is a punch. Rather, look for an instructor who you would enjoy training with.
A good teacher makes ALL the difference.