Whether you want to learn to defend yourself in the street or compete in the ring, it is necessary to train in the Three Ranges of Fighting: Standup, Clinch and Ground. We do not like to think in terms of techniques so much as what will work best at any given moment at any of the aforementioned ranges. As Krishnamurti often said... "The word is not the thing!" A punch is a punch, a kick a kick, an elbow an elbow, a knee a knee, a choke a choke, a throw a throw, an armlock an armlock. It does not matter where it originated from and what fancy name it has been given.

It is important to note that The HardCore Gym does not have any "street fighters". The gym has combat athletes concerned with being able to defend themselves in the street. A byproduct of that training is sometimes the desire and ability of its athletes to compete in NHB, Muay Thai, BJJ or submission wrestling competitions. It is training in an "alive" manner that will better prepare gym members to be successful in whatever endeavors they choose. If you don't spar, if your training is not "alive" but instead a series of dead patterns, and "flow drills", then what you do will not translate into what is actual fighting.

The vast majority of the members at THCG train exclusively for fitness and fun, which translates to stress release and a sense of well being. Drilling and sparring for sport translates to the most intensive, challenging and safe way to build the necessary attributes for self-defense as well as build overall fitness.

The range in which both combatants are on their feet. Fighting in this range pulls extensively from Boxing and Muay Thai Kickboxing.

The range in which both combatants are in physical contact. Fighting in this range pulls extensively from Greco Roman and Free Style Wrestling as well as Muay Thai Kickboxing.

Oddly enough this is the range in which both combatants are on the ground. Fighting in this range pulls almost entirely from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Whether with a gi or without, BJJ is by far the most effective art for fighting on the ground.

Special thanks goes out to our boxing coach, Don "Doc" Kepner, and our Muay Thai coach, Kru Scott Hicks, for their tutelage throughout the past years. They have played no small part in shaping how we train at the gym. We would also like to thank Chris Haueter for his coaching and teaching in the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Last but certainly not least; thanks go out to Matt Thornton and his Straight Blast Gym for putting us on the path we travel today. Although we have found our own "Way", Matt played no small part in getting us started on the road to "aliveness". Thanks Matt for waking us up!