This is the first of a 6-part article series about how the fitness industry can help America become smarter, safer and stronger by implementing personal safety/self-defense programming.

by Tim Rochford

The article series covers the following sequence of subjects for you and your community & is dedicated to the Reagan's of our own communities:

·                     Part 1 – Making America Safer & Stronger: The Current Role of the Fitness Industry

·                     Part 2 – Making America Safer & Stronger: The Expanding Role to Be Played   

·                     Part 3 – Making America Safer & Stronger: Why Should a Fitness Facility Offer Personal Safety/Self-   

   Defense Programming?

·                     Part 4 – Making America Safer & Stronger: What Should Be Included in a Personal Safety/Self-

   Defense Program

·                     Part 5 – Making America Safer & Stronger: Can a Fitness Professional Teach Personal Safety/Self-

                Defense

·                     Part 6 – Making America Safer & Stronger: What Is Needed to Support a Personal Safety/Self-

   Defense Program

One goal for this article series is to educate fitness leaders and management about the potential for this programming to benefit their communities, while also providing financial benefits to business operations.

Another goal is to provide facility program directors with the necessary information, knowledge and tools to effectively develop, evaluate and implement personal safety/self-defense programming that provides positive experiences for participants and long-term growth for the facility. Now, lets’ get started!

Introduction – Setting the Stage

The fitness industry has moved in a philosophical direction towards total wellness – programming that includes emotional and mental health, as well as physical health. Because of this, fitness industry programming now can play a major role in addressing health issues related to mental and emotional conditions, while continuing to positively influence physical health. Today, there are some specific mental and emotional issues that present potential opportunities for fitness industry involvement. Before identifying these opportunities, I would like to set the stage with the following background information.

With the current state of societal behavior, we are living with higher levels of mental and emotional stress. The safe and secure feelings we lived with in the past, and took for granted, have been eroded. We are constantly reminded through the stories in the media that even though we live in the “greatest and strongest” country in the world, we are increasingly vulnerable to potential violence. We need to wake up! We need to take action! The fitness industry can play a huge role in that! 

Now, let’s go back to the earlier statement that suggested the U.S. was the “greatest and strongest” country in the world. That is a very common and completely believable statement, but what is that claim based on? Military might, technological capability or financial resources? What is it that makes America so strong? 

Consider the strength of the military. People, the members of the military, are very important components. How strong would the military be if the people did not have the courage, self-confidence, fortitude, discipline, intelligence, common sense and physical abilities to do their jobs? People are the most important factor affecting our nation’s military strength. Where do military members come from? All the people who live and function in this great nation! Each person plays a key role in how strong our country is now and will remain in the future. 

Now, visualize our nation as a chain. A chain is made up of individual links. The strength of a chain is dependent on the strength of each individual link. Each weak link in a chain causes the whole chain to be potentially weak. So, if our nation is a chain, then each individual American citizen must be a link in that chain. This means that each person can and does influence the current and future strength of this country. From this perspective, the importance of each link (person) in the American “chain” be as “strong” as possible becomes very clear. Is this possible and what will it take to make it happen?

The challenge we face is enormous. “We” includes our political leaders, our military, and every American citizen. We must all take an active role in the fight for freedom and maintaining the safety and security of our communities. Each of us must strive to be a strong link in the American chain.

o, what does all of this have to do with the fitness industry and the role it can play in making America safer and stronger? The fitness industry is in a perfect position to play a major role in this effort! The fitness industry already provides the means and methods by which Americans can improve and maintain good physical, mental, and emotional health. However, there is an even greater opportunity to expand its role in maintaining (or improving) America’s overall strength. Let’s begin to answer this question by reviewing the current role played by the industry.

Keeping America Strong – The Current Role

The fitness industry keeps America strong by providing the means and methods, through wellness programming. Those who participate in safe, effective wellness programming are healthier and physically more capable than those who have unhealthy, stressful and sedentary lifestyles. Maintaining low mental and emotional stress levels and high levels of cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength/endurance/ power, flexibility/mobility, and balance allows an individual to better function when performing daily tasks.

Enhanced mental and emotional strength, resulting from physical training, are additional benefits. Feeling good physically tends to make people feel good mentally about themselves, resulting in greater levels of self-confidence, self-respect, and self-efficacy. These people typically handle mental and emotional stress better than a person who is in ill health or who is in poor physical condition.

 Improved creativity and productivity, on both a personal and professional level, may also be experienced. Think of the effect this could have on the home, in the workplace, and in society. How would our economy be affected if people were healthier and more productive? Physical activity and healthy lifestyles foster clearer, sharper thinking, resulting in better decision-making skills.

 Many of today’s fitness programs consist of activities that promote positive development of both mind and body. These programs have become sources of mental and emotional empowerment for participants. People have a basic need to feel good about themselves, from all perspectives (personal and professional - abilities and capabilities). When this need is satisfied, an individual will typically possess a higher level of self-confidence.

 Self-confidence can translate into an outer appearance that can potentially improve an individual’s level of personal safety. There is a common phrase used in self-defense training - “don’t look like a victim.” This phrase refers to a person’s “outer appearance.” Someone whose outer appearance portrays a lack of confidence is more likely to become a “victim”. Why? Doesn’t it stand to reason that a potential attacker would prefer to NOT be challenged? Wouldn’t they want to go after someone who would not fight back?

 So, the fitness industry, in a general way, continues to help keep the American “chain” strong. But now, the fitness industry can assume another, more specific role in keeping America strong. Current programs can be expanded into another area of wellness that could help to further strengthen our nation.  That is where self-defense training programs fit into the picture.

Part 2 of this article series covers how the fitness industry can expand its current role of keeping America strong through self-defense training programs.

STAGE 1 -  An Opportunity To Lead In Your Area:

Personal Safety/Self Defense Instructor Training Certificate

** A special note:  If you have taken and passed stage 1 already then your are able to take the next section for your special recognition to lead.  Partial proceeds of each program will go to the Reagan McCray-Tokes Foundation