F.I.S.T. is a civilian version of the sort of techniques taught to members of the French Foreign Legion. It is designed to teach you how to defend yourself in the shortest possible time without worrying about learning complicated forms, foreign language terminology or complex acrobatic techniques. It was created to target people who want to learn self defense but who don’t have three to five years required by traditional martial arts programs.

The initial investment is $139.99, that covers your first month of training and the equipment you keep (training bag, focus mitts, t-shirt, handbook & stickers). The monthly dues are $79.99 after that. There is a discount available for Law Enforcement Officers.

Within reason, yes. We don’t permit anyone under the age of eighteen in the class. Also, although we start off fairly easily F.I.S.T. is an intense workout (think aerobics). If you haven’t exercised in a while it would behoove you to get your doctors ok.

No. The only requirement we have is that people pay their monthly dues via bank draft which can be canceled at any time. Chasing students down every month for fees is the bane of every instructor. People forget their check books, have left their wallets at home, etc. This way we don’t even have to worry about it. If someone insists on paying cash we will take it but that costs $99 per month. The extra money takes care of us having to monitor who’s paid and who hasn’t and driving to the bank to deposit the cash/check.

Absolutely. We are proud of the program. Bring friends...check it out.

No. Sparring in F.I.S.T. is entirely optional. You get a great workout just pounding the heavy bag and pads. For those who want to spar though we have both non contact and full contact towards the end of phase II of the training and continuing from there.

At the moment we have two evening classes per week. You may train in all of them if you want. We are also looking at the possibility of adding a Saturday morning class at some point in the near future. We will also be certifying other instructors in the very near future so classes will be available in other areas.

F.I.S.T. includes two phases of ground fighting. Phase I where you are on the ground surrounded by people kicking etc. and Phase II where you and the attacker are both on the ground. Unlike sport Ju-jutsu made popular by the Gracies we do not focus on spending time rolling round the floor with someone. The key to surviving that type of situation is to get the attacker off you and get back on your feet as fast as humanly possible. We use techniques outlawed in no-holds barred competition for that purpose - hey, why do you think they outlawed them in the first place?

Nick Hughes is the Chief Instructor. Nick has been involved in the martial arts for over thirty years. He holds multiple black belts in Goju Karate, Aikido, Judo, Ju-jutsu and has studied Filipino Stick and Knife fighting systems, Unarmed Combat, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Tai Chi et al. He is a former French Foreign Legionnaire Parachutist/Frogman/Commando and Military Police Officer. He has worked all over the world as a body guard, written articles for Europe’s premier martial arts magazine Fighting Arts International and teaches practical martial arts seminars all over the world.

See the other instructor bios here

No, F.I.S.T. is a contemporary eclectic fighting system. While we definitely use techniques from all the martial arts we are not a pure system so no belts.

When a student of F.I.S.T. has mastered the techniques in a phase and is tested, he/she begins to learn the techniques of the next phase. In phase I, II, & III neutral colored t-shirts are worn, In phase IV, V, & VI they are blue. In phase VII, VIII, & IX the are red. And at phase X they’re black.

People progress at different rates. Usually, students complete the program in 6 to 12 months.

No. Student’s of FIST wear the official FIST t-shirt (included in their first months fee) along with their choice of sweat pants, shorts, karate pants or BDU's. Athletic training shoes are required.

Yes. In F.I.S.T. advanced students train WITH AND AGAINST weapons. Focusing on impact, bladed and projectile weapons. However, we do want students to learn the "bare hands" basics first.

The same difference between an AK-47 and a M-16 (i.e. not much, both hold 20 rounds, both have selective fire rates, both are military weapons, but they are different). Both have roots in military unarmed combat but the techniques differ.