Zeroing in on self-defense for women: Local kick boxing gym offers weekly self-defense classes
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The abduction and murder of Memphis mom and jogger, Eliza Fletcher, shocked people around the world. It's put a spotlight on self-defense for many people, especially women.
At Zero to 100 Fitness in Milwaukee, self-defense classes are held every Sunday.
"It's strictly for women, we work real world scenarios," said Marlon Culpepper, a trainer and the owner of Zero to 100 Fitness. "We don't wear pads or head gear or anything like that, so it's more real-world, come-as-you-are type training.
Self-defense starts with learning the little things -- like how to fall properly when knocked down. And by the end of the class, women will be able to fight off an attacker in all different types of situations.
"So the scenario is: they're getting pushed down going on to their hips, getting back to their feet," said Culpepper as two women demonstrate what they've learned. "Boom, she goes down. Right away she gets wrist control."
Culpepper says threat assessment is one of the most important things you'll learn.
"You have to understand what kind of threat there is. Is it a threat of you being robbed? You being kidnapped? Sexual assault? You've got to kind of assess that in real time," said Culpepper.
Trainers teach people how to respond to all of these scenarios. They also apply many of the basic Mixed Martial Arts and kick boxing skills to what they're learning.
Culpepper says it's never about getting into a fight. It's about survival and getting away as quickly as possible.