WANABEES #$%&!!

[CAPT KIRK]

Sorry guys up front for ranting....

Is it just me or are we constantly seeing "AR" shooters in the pictures and showing up at training events that are out of shape and over weight?

It seems odd that one could spend so much money and effort to buy all the cool guns and gear to partcipate in the "Tactical" lifestyle, but yet give no consideration to getting in shape. Do they not understand that physical fitness is the foundation of being a good tactical operator. Not to mention that they are more likely to die from the heart attack or stroke looming on their horizon, than from an active shooter or other violent threat.

Maybe we need to make physical fitness the new "gucci" accessory of the "tactical" scene.

If I offended anyone I am sorry... However I must admitted I had to have this same talk with myself at one time.

[rob_s]

This won't end well, just so you know.

[Zhurdan]

So, now that you're in shape you can thumb your nose at the "fatties"? That'd be like a drug user kicking the habit then chastising those that are still addicted for being stupid. Sure, he may have wised up, but that doesn't make his decision making process any more morally superior throughout his life as a whole.

I've overweight, I didn't used to be. Life happened, I got an office job and BOOM, the pounds started packing on. I'm on a workout program right now and trying to slim down, but it'll take a lot longer to take it off than it did to pack it on. I guess I'll be one of those people that just enjoys shooting and learning until I meet the weight prerequisite of the "gucci gunman".

Besides, not everyone wants or thinks they're "tactical operators". I know for a fact that I'm not. I sit in an office all day punching keys. I shoot on the weekends and sometimes on Wednesday because I like it and it's a fun distraction from the outwardly boring job I have. Can I fix that too? You bet, but it'll take time, just like losing the weight.

Be mindful of standing on the same soap box that wouldn't have bore your weight prior to your enlightenment, it might still creek a little.

[caporider]

The problem is you can't buy, fondle, mount, or "run" (as in "I run my SF M600C at 3 o'clock with an SR07 mounted at 12 o'clock") physical fitness. In our "stuff" oriented society, if you can't buy it, forget it.

[Misc Ex-Member]

While I agree that being in good physical condition is important (I try to stay in shape) I am not going to bang the drum and ram it down people's throats. I have seen too many "overweight" "out of shape" guys shoot and move really well.

I could easily ask: have YOU ever taken any professional driving instruction? Have YOU ever had EMT training? Because it could easily be argued that those two skill sets are more likely to be employed than operating your carbine or pistol.

Oh yeah, and before anyone says "not the same", "apples and oranges", "you missed the point" or <insert internet cliche rebuttal one-liner of your choice>... yes I do understand and no I didn't miss the point.

Just wanted to get that part out of the way up front.

[Misc Ex-Member]

Originally Posted by Zhurdan

So, now that you're in shape you can thumb your nose at the "fatties"? That'd be like a drug user kicking the habit then chastising those that are still addicted for being stupid. Sure, he may have wised up, but that doesn't make his decision making process any more morally superior throughout his life as a whole.

I've overweight, I didn't used to be. Life happened, I got an office job and BOOM, the pounds started packing on. I'm on a workout program right now and trying to slim down, but it'll take a lot longer to take it off than it did to pack it on. I guess I'll be one of those people that just enjoys shooting and learning until I meet the weight prerequisite of the "gucci gunman".

Besides, not everyone wants or thinks they're "tactical operators". I know for a fact that I'm not. I sit in an office all day punching keys. I shoot on the weekends and sometimes on Wednesday because I like it and it's a fun distraction from the outwardly boring job I have. Can I fix that too? You bet, but it'll take time, just like losing the weight.

Be mindful of standing on the same soap box that wouldn't have bore your weight prior to your enlightenment, it might still creek a little.

Good post, there is nothing more annoying or zealous than a recent convert.

[Gutshot John]

First of all 90% of the membership here ARE wannabes regardless of their fitness level. As such 90% of us are never going to have to assault a position, kick in a door or do whatever else. This is a hobby not a lifestyle. Given that and applying your logic none of them should be shooting either...of course that means a smaller market to get you all the cool "toys" you seem to obsess over.

Second why do you care what other people do? Seriously get a life and quit living others'. My guess is that you've got the faith of the converted and you're feeling really superior.

You're certainly entitled to your opinion but if you're saying fat people have no business shooting on the line with you than you've no business being on the line at all because you're not paying attention to what you should be paying attention to.

Make sure your own house is in order...then lead by example not by ill-conceived, anonymous internet rants.

My suggestion is that you be supportive and encouraging for every shooter on the line and that equating fat people to "wannabes" is a sure fire way to miss out on some pearls of wisdom that some old "fat" guy who has been shooting for decades might pass on to you.

There are quite a few "fat" shooters (many from this site) who've passed on a lot of good wisdom to me. Obviously better shape makes you a better operator, I don't know anyone who would dispute that but for a lot of us getting up on the line made us aware. Perhaps you should consider that.

[rob_s]

Originally Posted by Gutshot John

This is a hobby not a lifestyle.

I think that maybe that's the problem.

and I don't think you have to be a professional end-user or a tinfoil-hatter to think so.

[CAPT KIRK]

Originally Posted by The_Katar

Good post, there is nothing more annoying or zealous than a recent convert.

Well.... I suppose I did deserve and expect some hate mail. But recent convert I am not. Ive been putting my tail on the line for society for over 20 years now... Oh and I do advanced driving, active shooter and even some medical training.

[Zhurdan]

Originally Posted by CAPT KIRK

Well.... I suppose I did deserve and expect some hate mail. But recent convert I am not. Ive been putting my tail on the line for society for over 20 years now...

There was no hate or animosity in my post, just some friendly advice.

[CAPT KIRK]

Originally Posted by Zhurdan

There was no hate or animosity in my post, just some friendly advice.

No problem, and I understand your point.

When I realised that I would be no use to the children of a school caught up in an active shooter incident because I would be pooped out after the first sprint into the scene, I decided to make my own personal change. Defending my "sheep" was worthwile motivation.

I agree that not all fall into my realm of reality. To those, I apologize and do appreciate that it is your participation in some of the classes that makes them possible in the first place.

[CAPT KIRK]

Originally Posted by rob_s

This won't end well, just so you know.

LOL.... guess that was a little impulsive of me..

[Iraq Ninja]

I only give the Metabolically Challenged folks a hard time if they are part of my work environment. I don't want to end dragging some guy AND his excessive adipose tissue.

Same goes for the guys who live in the gym just to get huge and sexy. Strength training is great, but sadly a few folks in my career field are in the gym for personal, rather than professional reasons. Do you really need that huge chest, especially when the medic is trying to find your 2nd intercostal space AND he only has a standard length catheter?

I prefer being a small fast target. At 49, I have to fight at staying that way everyday.

[CAPT KIRK]

Originally Posted by Iraq Ninja

Same goes for the guys who live in the gym just to get huge and sexy. Strength training is great, but sadly a few folks in my career field are in the gym for personal, rather than professional reasons. Do you really need that huge chest, especially when the medic is trying to find your 2nd intercostal space AND he only has a standard length catheter?

I prefer being a small fast target. At 49, I have to fight at staying that way everyday.

AMEN Brother...

I had a partner that was totaly yolked out. Every time he go into a fight he got injured (pulled something), because he didnt have time to warm up prior to exerting himself.

I am 44 and no small target, so I need to be extra fast I guess.... LOL

[6933]

Have I seen out of shape guys shoot well? Of course. I can only speak for me and I feel being in shape will help me be better able to handle whatever may come my way. What if some asshole starts hassling me for no reason and he gets physical? This attitude comes from living in New Orleans where there was a higher than average probability of this occurring. I felt being in shape would help me to deal with the issue and/or run away to escape the situation. No shame in beating feet. Yes, I did have several situations where some asshole wanted to get physical through no fault of my own. We never know what may happen at any time or place. Staying in shape and learning some unarmed skills may save you or a loved one. Just my .02 and nothing more.

[Von Rheydt]

The boring bit. A one mile run on hard ground burns around 125 calories, 145 calories on soft ground. One cookie is around 40 - 60 calories. A can of the real thing contains around 22 spoons of sugar and M**ntain D*w contains even more. The average male need around 2550 calories a day to function. When I was soldiering the Doc told us that to yomp around and to maintain the status quo we needed around 4000 - 5000 a day.

I am 51. We left having kids till late so I have a couple of rugrats and they keep my on my toes. I also work to stay at a level of fitness to run 8 miles in under one hour - it was a requirement for something in the British Army and it stuck as my personal measure of fitness. I am naturally prone to high BP so by exercising I keep it down.

[Iraq Ninja]

Originally Posted by Von Rheydt

When I was soldiering the Doc told us that to yomp around and to maintain the status quo we needed around 4000 - 5000 a day.

You a Boot Neck? We need to explain that UK Marines yomp while the rest of the Brit mil Tabs. Americans road march or just hike.

[rubberneck]

Originally Posted by CAPT KIRK

Sorry guys up front for ranting....

Is it just me or are we constantly seeing "AR" shooters in the pictures and showing up at training events that are out of shape and over weight?

It seems odd that one could spend so much money and effort to buy all the cool guns and gear to partcipate in the "Tactical" lifestyle, but yet give no consideration to getting in shape. Do they not understand that physical fitness is the foundation of being a good tactical operator. Not to mention that they are more likely to die from the heart attack or stroke looming on their horizon, than from an active shooter or other violent threat.

Maybe we need to make physical fitness the new "gucci" accessory of the "tactical" scene.

If I offended anyone I am sorry... However I must admitted I had to have this same talk with myself at one time.

I guess I resemble that remark (the weight part) to some degree as I am probably 20 pounds overweight. I spent 30 years of my life studying one form of martial art or another. I wrestled from grade school through college. I boxed for a decade (and a pretty good one at that) and studied Aikido and Krav Maga. Several years ago I was one of the pretty people with the washboard abs but one day while working out, I took a bad fall and injured my back pretty badly. My options were to alter my lifestyle physically or have major back surgery that could leave me paralyized. Two shitty choices but as I approached 40 with two young children I made the one that was right for me. As a result my weight has suffered some what and despite that choice I still suffer pain from time to time despite being sedintary. Does that mean I don't understand the importance of physical conditioning? Hardly. Does that make me less worthy to seek out instruction on how to use a firearm? No.

You see I am not, nor I have ever fancied myself as any sort of tactical operator. My goals when training don't involve any Walter Mitty fantasies. What I am is a gun owner, a husband and a father who takes his responsibility to defend those I love very seriously. My glory days are behind me but even in my current physical condition I am fairly sure that (bad back and all) I wouldn't have any problem breaking my foot off in most people's asses including most fitness freaks.

[VMI-MO]

I do not think physical ability will ever really be a "gucci" tactical item for a couple reasons.

1) It takes hard work, dedication, self induced discomfort

2) Time is always an issue. While I believe you can keep yourself in healthy shape with only 20-30mins 3x a week, people will always complain about time.

3) Everyone is not created equal. I can not run for a while, pick up and burn out a 5k in good time. I have buddies that run constantly and bust their balls just to get 19mins (completely random time I made up). That being said. If I do not work my upper body, I am up shit creek.

4) Cost. Everyone brings this up but I do not believe it. I made a pull up bar for 25$. Go buy a 50lb bag of sand for $3 from Home Depot and clean, press, squat and push press it. There are cheap and easy ways to make PT gear. You just have to be creative. If you need ideas, PM me.

From my personal view point I wish Americans were more active and took more pride in physical fitness. It pisses me off to be around fat people who do not care. When I see a fat ass at a grocery store on one of those electric carts going to the hostess and little debby section it makes me sick.

Now if you are over weight and working to get better. I support you 100%. I will do what ever I can to help someone out that is trying to improve their quality of life.

As for the "operator fitness/ pt stud" title. I do not believe everyone needs to work toward that. If you seek a level of fitness that promotes a healthy capable life style that is great in my book. Personally however, I work my ass of to get at the title of "that man is a machine".

PJ

[Gutshot John]

Originally Posted by rob_s

I think that maybe that's the problem.

and I don't think you have to be a professional end-user or a tinfoil-hatter to think so.

Why is that a problem? Acknowledge the reality that the overwhelming majority of us have all of our tactical need met by a Glock 19? and that a Carbine and ANY associated gear is not likely to be employed? I know a lot of very serious hobbyists in competition and the like. I don't understand why it's a pejorative. I was out shooting with wind chills in the low teens all afternoon, was the OP? Yes I was quite warm.

We shoot carbines because we enjoy it. Now if you mean "hobbyist" in the vein of some guy popping of 100 rounds every six months...than that might be something, but I honestly don't see too many of those people around in winter. I've seen a lot of fat "hobbyists" shoot the pants off a lot of skinny dudes who do it for a living.

When people go to Pat Rogers or whatever, they're not going into combat with the guy on the right or left of them. They're there for their own reasons. Why should anyone care what they are what choices another guy makes?

If his life was on the line than the OP might have a gripe, if he's just talking about a bunch of "wannabes" that he will never have to see again in his life why the f*$( does he care what others do?