Try Something New: Stunt Fighting

At Film Fighting LA, class participants jab, box, and minifight their way to fitness. The class of would-be superheroes and aspiring stunt fighters is led by Robert Goodwin, a sword master and film stunt coordinator with 45 years of martial arts experience. He’s coordinated fight scenes for nearly 20 years in productions such as Batman Begins and was the original martial arts instructor for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

If everyone from 18-year-old acting students to overweight men in their mid-50s can be found kung fu fighting, this class should be no sweat, right?

Wrong. Goodwin advises would-be stunt workout participants to be prepared to sweat—a lot. The class offers a good cardiovascular workout, and participants learn to be relaxed and confident in their movements, all the while dodging, punching, and practicing techniques from Filipino stick or knife fighting. But the class is not just cardiocentric; you’ll work toward a toned center at the same time. “You hear a lot about the core. Martial arts have been working on the core for hundreds of years,” says Goodwin.

After he teaches the moves, Goodwin instructs students how to breathe appropriately and vocalize. “That can be cathartic for some people. It’s very aggressive and can alleviate stress and let participants discover the warrior within,” he explains. He’s quick to add that there’s no contact. “We are absolutely in control,” he explains. “It’s an illusion of fighting, and it’s very safe.”

Goodwin hopes the lessons that participants learn in his classes extend into their daily lives. “I’m training people how to present themselves on film, and it also teaches them about posture and builds confidence they can use speaking in front of a board meeting or walking down the street,” he explains. Goodwin’s making a DVD so students can work on the principles at home.

If you can’t jet to Los Angeles for a class with Goodwin and if a stunt fighting workout hasn’t popped up yet in your neighborhood, DVDs such as Sandy Gimpel’s Stunt Blasters Workout are available.