Shadow Boxing Is Dead. Meet Shadow Fighting.
A Fly-on-the-Wall Look Inside My Garage Gym
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a fly on the wall during one of my training sessions? Let me give you a glimpse.
A lot of people assume you can’t learn tactical fitness, situational awareness, or real-world self-defense over Zoom. I’ve heard that for years. My thoughts? If online training doesn’t work, it’s either because your coach sucks—or because you’re not coachable.
Here’s the truth: If you’re coachable, and the content isn’t crap, online training works.
I’ve been teaching online since before Zoom even existed. Long before Zoom, Cisco’s WebEx was the platform. Then came Skype. I was running remote coaching sessions when most people didn’t even know online training was possible. Thousands of people from around the world have trained with me this way.
And now it’s your turn.
In the clip I’m sharing today, you’ll get a quick look inside one of my Tactical Garage Gym sessions. You’ll see:
Tactical fitness in action
Resistance band drills (yes, those simple bands can make you explosive)
The difference between shadow boxing and shadow fighting (yes, it’s a thing)
If you’re Zoom-hesitant, ask yourself one thing:
Are you coachable?
If the answer’s yes, hit play.
Shadow Boxing vs. Shadow Fighting
Most of us shadowbox to warm up. Or, if you’re like me 😉, you’ll randomly launch shots at plants, shadows, or family members.
But if you want to level up your training, stop shadowboxing. Start shadow fighting.
Here’s how to shift from mindless to mindful:
1️⃣ Stop firing random shots.
Most people throw comfortable combos over and over. That’s shadowboxing. Instead, put yourself in awkward, off-balance positions. Visualize the exact moment you realize “oh shit, it’s on”—then MOVE. Forget your perfect stance. Fire your closest weapon to their closest target (CWCT) immediately, then visualize how they react and where they move. This builds more realistic, reactive movement.
2️⃣ Move like your target moves.
Most people throw combos at imaginary opponents standing still. Real threats move. Adjust your timing and angles mid-flow. That’s what turns shadowboxing into shadow fighting.
3️⃣ Don’t confuse technical for tactical.
Speed and suddenness win fights, not picture-perfect form. Commit to movement over mechanics.
Stay mindful. Stay connected to your body. Keep evolving.
– Coach Blauer
🛑 What’s happening inside my Garage Gym is amazing.
People from around the world join these sessions—not just to train, but to connect. They show up early. We talk shop. We share laughs. Then we train.
It doesn’t matter if you’re new to SPEAR, a lifelong martial artist, or just starting your self-defense journey—this training will make you safer.
If this inspired you:
You can train with me live, twice a week.
If your schedule’s tight, grab the on-demand option—what we lovingly call the Netflix of Self-Defense.
👉 Click here to start training with me.
PS – Our next SPEAR System® Level 1 Instructor Certification Course kicks off August 16-17.
If you’d like to bring the system to your martial arts school, self-defense program, concealed carry class, or police agency…
👉 Click here to learn more about certification.
And remember:
Technique wins points. Suddenness wins fights.