Why You Should Cross Train

If you have been following our posts here, you’ll know that we are pretty big on maintaining some modicum of physical fitness as part of our overall survival strategy. Good physical health will not only increase your survivability in a deadly force encounter, it will increase your overall quality of life. How many times have you gone to a class and seen the student that would more likely face a cardiac arrest than a home invasion robbery in the next 24 hours? Before learning how to be a ninja with that new wunderpistol, maybe that guy should go out and walk around the block a couple times.

Years back, Hilton got heavy into CrossFit and has made some great fitness gains by training smart. Since my college years, I have been training one martial art or another, starting with traditional Japanese arts, and eventually settling with Thai Boxing and Filipino Martial Arts. About six years ago, I found Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and haven’t turned back.

I’m not saying everyone needs to start grappling. But go find a physical activity that you enjoy and get out and do it. Preferably it will be something that you can immerse yourself into for an hour or two several times a week, and will motivate you to stay fit so you can perform your best. Training and competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu helps motivate me to stay in shape and watch my diet. While it is good physical activity, it does not replace the need to do some regular PT, so I still hit the gym.

Shooting is fun and rewarding, and can develop the skills necessary to defend yourself and your loved ones. But don’t forget to stay in shape. As my buddy Joe says, “Round is a shape.” Hopefully, that doesn’t describe you.

Go outside and have fun!

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About Tim Lau

Tim Lau has over a decade of experience as an end user, armorer and instructor. He has worked for several well known firearms training organizations, and holds multiple firearms instructor certifications. He owns and operates 10-8 Consulting, LLC, which provides industry consulting services as well as marksmanship and specialized firearms training to qualified civilian, law enforcement and military personnel.

2 thoughts on “Why You Should Cross Train

  1. You hit the nail on the head with this one Tim.Other forms of training and exercise are so helpful with what, and why I call what we are into, THE COMBATIVE ART’S. It is physical, and Practical to work out and combine the two skill building practices. I work out, and keep up on Training with the Fighting artform of KALI, as well as Edge weapons and cardio exercise, put them all together makes for some great training during the week.
    Keep up the great work, there is alot of us that stand by 10-8’s beliefs.

  2. You hit the nail on the Head!
    In our line of business there is a lot of sickness if you do not stay in shape. Especially when you retire. I don’t know about you guys but FRS is a good retirement system. I’m going to take advantage of my retirement when I retire. I don’t want to Have to work when I retire. I want to take and train with tactical schools. That’s my hobby.

    Now your saying what the hell is he talking about. I be talking about exercising. Not just going to a gym but doing something that involves a trainer or couch to push you. If you just go to the gym that’s good but how many go and just do the same old thing and honestly think have I improved from last year ? Even an improvement of five % is fantastic. This will extend your golden years of retirement. You’ll have to take LESS medication and feel great!
    I saw a Brown Belt in that pictures very impressive. Anybody in BJJ know that’s impressive! I was big into competitive fighting in the 80’s and 90’s. It beat the hell out of my body. I then got into BJJ. So much better for your beat up body if your like me. It’s realistic!!!!!!!!! It’s fun. Your playing human Chess. You’re learning great self defense and great work outs! That is why I chose BJJ . You have your training partners and instructor pushing you. Not get out and do some dry firing then work out some way. Enjoy that great retirement that we all get from the years of fighting crime. Crime does pay. It’s going to be paying very well for me in ten years. So that’s why I work out. I want to enjoy all of it!! I want to be that guy at a training school telling the war stories and outperforming the young guys. I’m going to be that guy. We have all put the time in let’s enjoy the end. The end is just a new beginning !
    Tim I’m very impressed!

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