Friday, January 21, 2011

The Spartan Army Goes Pro-Active


Spartan Training Gear is pleased to announce its newest alliance and sponsored school, Pro-Active Safety Systems and Bailey's Karate. Both Pro-Active and Bailey's are owned and operated by Tom Arcuri.


Here's a quick bio on Tom:

Tom Arcuri's training in self-defense, safety and confrontation management training began in 1981. A well-known and respected coach and innovator in the field of personal safety for over 20 years his extensive experience includes multiple certifications in relevant disciplines including Behavioral Management.

His philosophy is summed up in the name of the system "Pro" for professional, "Active" predicting and actively addressing the "Safety" concerns of the group or individual in question so that future encounters are "Systematically" handled effectively, efficiently and as safely as possible.

Tom has conducted thousands of hours of personal safety training (locally, nationally and internationally) including hundreds of seminars for general audiences, as well as, law enforcement and other specialized groups.





More on Pro-Active Safety Systems:

The Pro-Active Safety System is the culmination of 30 years of study, training and teachingit's a holistic approach to confrontation management, personal safety, tactical training and personal development. 

P.A.S.S. training is based on the built in human behavioral responses in the critical initial moments of survival stress scenarios.

Prior to the announcement of Spartan Training Gear's alliance with Pro-Active Safety Systems and Bailey's, we provided Tom and his staff with some Hoplite Training Armour to test out. Here is Tom's testimonial:

"After 30 years of competing, training and teaching, and (since 1989) hundreds of hours of training and teaching in gear of all types, I can say with some authority that any martial athlete or combatives program will dramatically benefit from incorporating gear in their programs. It is the only way to safely experience the level of realism necessary to pressure check training methods, curriculum or tactics.

"
My staff and I have had the opportunity to thoroughly test Hoplite Training Armour
 by Spartan Training Gear, and we all agree that it is the finest suit of it's kind in the world. Having used the High Gear suit exclusively for nine years I can say with confidence that Spartan's suit is clearly a step up from an already good product. The Hoplite has significant modifications and improvements, with fit and finish that is the best that I have seen.

I am actively using it in my programs and fully endorse it!"






We're very excited to welcome Tom, P.A.S.S. & Bailey's into The Spartan Army. 

Saturday, January 15, 2011


Spartan Training Gear is proud to announce that it will be attending the Super Summer Seminars in Herkimer, NY. July 15-17, 2011.

E
very year 200-300 instructors and students from all over the U.S. and Canada come together for a weekend of fun, friendship and training. Super Summer is open to any martial artist regardless of style, system or affiliation.

The Super Summer Seminars martial arts camp was established in 1983 by Michael J. Campos, Director of the Zen-Do Kai Martial Arts Association. Having been involved in martial arts since 1959, and having trained long and hard in several different disciplines, Sensei Campos recognized the beneficial effects of martial arts cross-training. His goal was to create a camp for Martial Artists of any style or organization to meet and train so they could all improve by learning from each other. Super Summers has proven to be that vehicle.

In addition to special guest instructors each of the approximately twenty staff instructors offer over forty seminars where the participants learn techniques and training methods as varied as Aikido, Ju-Jitsu, Pencak Silat, Escrima, Jeet Kune Do, Wing Chun, TaeKwonDo, Tai Chi, ZDK system, Shotokan, Goju, Muay Thai, Grappling, Sparring, Boxing, etc.. Additionally seminars are offered on topics like fitness and flexibility, business operations, instructional skills and the psychological and law enforcement aspects of the martial arts.

Super Summer Seminars has long been recognized as one of the best camps available for program, organization, and value. Prof. Wally Jay called it "one of the best camps in the country."

This year's Special Guest Instructor is
Scott Sonnen of Circular Strength Training & TACFIT. Here's more on Scott:
Scott Sonnon, was the first U.S. citizen to formally intern in the USSR with the former KGB and Spetsnaz, be licensed by the Russian government to teach Systema and earn the former Soviet Union's most coveted athletic distinction - "Master of Sport" in Sambo, serving as the USA National Sambo Team Coach and the USA Police Sambo Team Coach. An international champion in Sambo, Sanshou, Sport Jiujitsu, Submission Grappling and amateur MMA, he now focuses on coaching tactical fitness and defensive tactics to federal law enforcement agencies and military special operations units, and certifying trainers in Circular Strength Training and TACFIT.

Check out Scott's website here:
www.rmaxinternational.com

For complete details on this seminar and to register, go to their website:
http://www.super-summer-seminars.com/

Become a Fan of their Facebook page:
http://tinyurl.com/4faddva

We look forward to training with you. See you in Herkimer!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

You've got questions, we've got answers


We've gotten, literally, dozens of emails in the last week from fans asking what this new 'Spartan' suit is all about. They want to know about price, sizing, colours, ordering, etc.

Well, we've got an FAQ all prepped for when our website goes live, but we think now might be a good time to get some of these out of the way. So without further ado...


1. What exactly is the Hoplite Training Armour
?
The Hoplite Training Armour™ is Multi-Purpose Combat Training Equipment. It's a bio-technologically engineered, lightweight, full-body padded suit designed to be used during force-on-force encounters, scenario-replication drills and traditional martial arts training. Here are some examples of how and where the gear can be used:


Martial Arts: Grappling, Ground-Fighting, Scenario-Replication Drills, Stick-Fighting, MMA, Submission Training & Self-Defense Drills

Law Enforcement: Control & Arrest, Weapon Training (Baton, OC Spray), Use of Force Training & Vehicle Extraction Drills

Military: Room Clearing, Prisoner Handling, Vehicle Commandeering, Breach & Clear Drills, Check Point Scenarios & Force On Force Drills

The name says it all. Multi-Purpose. No other suit on the market allows you the versatility to create and execute such a wide array of drills and scenarios without
compromising protection and mobility.



Breach & Clear

2. How many components make make up the Hoplite Training Armour™?
The complete suit is comprised of seven components. They are as follows:
1. Hoplite Helmet

2. Hoplite Collar
3. Hoplite Vest
4. Hoplite Elbow/Forearm
5. Hoplite Gloves
6. Hoplite Pant
7. Hoplite Shin/Kne
e

3. Can I buy the Hoplite Training Armour™ by individual component? Is it more expensive to buy it by component?
You can buy whatever you need. We have a pricing structure for the complete suit or by component. The individual price of each component comes out to the exact dollar amount of the complete suit. So no matter how you buy it, you'll pay exactly the same thing. To the penny.


4. What's the difference between the Basic and the Elite Hoplite suits and how much are they?
The Hoplite Training Armour™ Basic is designed for hand to hand combat training. The Hoplite Training Gear™ Elite is essentially the same, but comes with the Armour Lock Hood helmet upgrade and is designed for use during scenarios or drills that incorporate training ammunition. The Basic is $1200. The Elite is $1300. Also, with the purchase of every retail-priced suit, we include a complimentary Spartan Training Gear duffle bag.

5
. What is the Hoplite Training Armour™ made of?

The outer shell of the suit is constructed of leather, high-tenacity polyester, lycra and mesh. The inner core of the suit incorporates high-density foams and custom-molded plastic trauma plating.

This combination of materials, along with the suits bio-technological design, makes the Hoplite Training Armour™ some of the lightest, most versatile & best fitting Combat Training
Equipment available.

6. What are some of the features and benefits of the Hoplite Training Armour™?
- Lightweight: Suit weighs approximately 10lbs head to toe
- Bio-technological engineering: Allows for uncompromised mobility and the best fit of any comparable suit

- Low-profile design: Will not distort proximity-sense and allows role-players to wear street clothing or duty gear over the suit which heightens sensory feedback and triggers authentic emotional responses
- Versatility: Can be integrated for use with any 'system' or martial arts 'style'.
- Adaptability: Train and execute scenarios in any environment: elevators, prison cells, stairways & vehicles

-  Improves combat confidence: create and execute scenarios, incorporate tactics from any 'style', train in any environment & incorporate dialogue during role-playing
- Custom injection-molded helmet visor: Guaranteed not to fog up under any conditions. Every Hoplite Helmet visor is custom injection-molded and hand coated with an anti-scratch coating on the outside and an anti-fog coating on the inside
- Training ammunition compliant: The Hoplite Helmet is the ultimate in close-quarter battle head protection and perfect for shoot/no shoot scenario training. It exceeds industry standards for safety and has been tested and approved for use with .38 cal, 9mm and 5.56mm marking cartridge rounds.


Hoplite Helmet

7. What's the significance between the red and blue vests? Which am I supposed to buy?
The short answer is you can buy whichever one you like. The long answer is as follows: The Cri
mson Red Hoplite Vest is specifically coloured for instructors and teachers. The Greco Blue Hoplite Vest is coloured for students. Why the difference? So that the instructor/teacher can stand out from the group. In large groups, if everyone is wearing the same colour gear, there's no way to tell who the 'leader' is. If students are wearing one colour and the instructors another, you never have that problem. It's a simple solution to a common problem. 


Crimson Red Hoplite Vest

8. How does the sizing of the Hoplite Training Armour™ work?
Sizing for the Hoplite Training Armour™ is as follows. Keep in mind these measurements are approximative. If you are taller, shorter, thinner or heavier, we can accomodate that but may need to customize a suit using different sized components, (IE combining medium and large components). Also, because we get many inquiries from overseas, sizing is given in both imperial and metric.

- Medium (M)

Imperial: 5'4" - 5'9", 140lbs - 190lbs, 30in - 34in waist
Metric: 1.6m - 1.75m, 63kgs - 86kgs, 76cm - 86cm

- Large (L)
Imperial: 5'10" - 6'2", 190lbs - 240lbs, 35in - 39in waist
Metric: 1.77m - 1.87m, 86kgs - 108kgs, 88cm - 99cm waist 

- Extra Large (XL)
Imperial: 6'2" - 6'6", 240lbs - 300lbs, 40in - 44in waist
Metric: 1.87m - 1.98m, 108kgs - 136kgs, 101cm - 111cm waist

9. How long does it take to gear up?

The Hoplite Training Armour takes less than 3 minutes to put on alone. For best results, put the components on in this order:

1. Hoplite Pant
2. Hoplite Shin/Knee

3. Hoplite Elbow/Forearm
4. Hoplite Gloves
5. Hoplite Collar
6. Hoplite Vest
7. Hoplite Helmet

10. How much is the shipping? Do you ship worldwide?

The shipping costs depend on a few factors. Primarily, where you are in the world and also what you're ordering. Typically, a complete set of Hoplite Training Armour
 costs about $50 USD to ship within the continental US & Canada. We can ship anywhere in the world, but the rates will vary. We always compare multiple carriers to get you the best rate possible. We'll contact you prior to shipping to advise you of the costs.



There will be a complete list of FAQs when our website goes live. Until then, if you have any questions, please contact: 

Marc Joseph
CBO/Director of Business Development
Email: marc@spartantg.com
Phone: 514-965-9269



Sunday, January 2, 2011

Functional Edge MMA joins The Spartan Army


Spartan Training Gear is pleased to announce its corporate alliance with Tony Torres, his Functional Edge System and Functional Edge Mixed Martial Arts.

The work Tony Torres is doing to advance the development of behaviorally-based personal defense is second to none. We're pleased that the Hoplite Training Armour can be incorporated into this training and eventually become an indispensable tool to all students of the Functional Edge System.

Here's a brief bio on Coach Torres:

Founder and Chief Instructor of Functional Edge Mixed Martial Arts
35 years experience practicing and teaching several styles of martial arts, combatives, self-defense and defensive tactics to civilians, Law Enforcement agencies and Military personnel
- 4th Degree Tae Kwon Do Black Belt & member of the All Navy Team while serving in the military
- Former Defensive Tactics Instructor for the US Navy Atlantic Fleet Headquarters Security Team
- 13 year veteran of the Virginia Beach Police Department
- Certified Law Enforcement and Defensive Tactics Instructor
- Former lead Force on Force and CQB Fundamentals Instructor for Blackwater USA, teaching the US Navy
- Certified S.P.E.A.R. System Instructor with Blauer Tactical Systems
- 2 years experience as a Private Military Contractor for BlackWater USA providing Dignitary Protection in Iraq

And a introduction to the Functional Edge System:

1. Functional: Affects physiological and psychological action and purpose
2. Edge: Force, vigor and energy of body and intensity of desire
3. System: An interacting group of items forming a unified whole. An organized and established procedure.


T
he Functional Edge System is a method of studying violent conflicts and learning the skills necessary to efficiently deal with them.


The training methods are designed to connect to the necessary attitudes, emotions, instincts, and physical skills & behaviors which will enable and empower the trainees in dangerous situations. 

We train by cognitively modeling instinctive protective behavior in order to facilitate the physical, psychological and emotional transitions from reactive to responsive. 

The goal of the Functional Edge System is to merge instinctive behavior with cognitive attitude.

Shadow boxing in Hoplite Training Armour

Close Quarter Drills

Before the Hoplite Training Armour™ was officially launched, we had the prototypes tested by some of the very best trainers in the world. One of the first trainers we contacted was Tony Torres of Functional Edge MMA. He agreed to put it to the test, then sent us this testimonial.

"In my experience as a police officer, soldier and as a trainer for Law Enforcement, Military Units, and Civilian athletes, I have had the opportunity to train in just about every training gear out there. 

Hoplite Training Armour by Spartan Training Gear is the best by far. It is the perfect combination of protection and mobility. I have used it for self protection scenario training as well as for sparring and even stick fighting. Not only is the protection and mobility the best but also the comfort while wearing it. 

From now on Hoplite Training Armour is the official training gear of the Functional Edge System and Functional Edge Mixed Martial Arts!"

Tony Torres
Professional Law Enforcement and Military Trainer
Founder Functional Edge System and Mixed Martial Edge

Keep an eye out for more from Spartan Training Gear
™ and the Functional Edge System coming in 2011.