1001 Self Defense Products
Okay lets discuss the meat and potatoes of self defense products! We can first take a look at the different types of self defense products available on the market. You can lump the various types of products into the following categories 1- Video - DVD and some believe it or not still have the odd vhs tape available 2- Online Video - This can either be just a straight online video learning format or it can be a combination of online video, audio and print. 3- E-Books - This is just the electronic version of a book available for immediate download 4- Books and other hard copy print material - This covers all other print material that is not offerred via an electronic version 5- Live self defense training and classes - For the purposes of this website we will not be reviewing live training for now.
Videos When reviewing a number of videos available for purchase I came to a couple of conclusions. The first of which is that not all videos are created equal. Some had poor audio quality or the overall packaging looked like something I could have created on my computer at home. I am going to ignore the packaging quality because in my opinion if the material on the dvd is superb, the type of packaging it comes in does not matter as much. However from a consumers point of view, it is an important piece of building a professional trustworthy brand. If you are asking $399.00 for a set of dvd's, I am going to feel ripped off and value the dvd's less if they come shipped in envelopes packed inside a cereal box with old newsprint for packing. Regardless of the packaging there is no excuse for poor audio and video quality when you are shelling out cold hard cash for your self defense products. If you are purchasing a $19.99 dvd then okay less packaging is understandable and poorer audio and visual may be acceptable is some cases. But when you are spending $89.00 and upwards, I expect some good quality stuff. As with all self defense products the differentiator between a good product and an awesome product is the quality of instruction. Some self defense instructors are okay one on one, or teaching a class where through shear repitition and time, they end up covering all the little nuances and details. But when it comes to video based self defense instruction you are either great, mediocre or garbage. The instructor has to be clear and concise at teaching you through a video format. On a dvd there is no option to stop and get clarification from the teacher. You don't have the instructor walking around and identifying some of the little techniques that may need some slight tweaking. Because of this lack of face to face interaction a video can be extremely disappointing if the instructor is not great at teaching their techniques through that kind of a medium. Learning via dvd or video is best done with other types of media to support it. DVD's combined with good instruction manuals or a supplementary text allow you to learn the skills through more than just one learning style. For some of my favourite videos and self defense video courses please follow through to my video reviews here ..... (coming soon) Online videos The online self defense products my favourite ones to review. You get instant access. You can watch the self defense training videos anywhere that has an internet connection. The good ones have forums where you can ask the instructor any questions you may have. Some of the online self defense training programs have the option of submitting a video of your training for instructor feedback. Not as good as having the instructor right there in the room with you but pretty darn close! This kind of a virtual critique is very beneficial in the fact that you can see yourself performing the error. The instructor can also give you multiple points along with the exact times where they occur in the video. You get exact feedback suited specifically for you. This is something that can also be lacking in a live class due to things like the sheer number of attendees and a poor instructor to student ratio. With the online video submission you have one on one feedback! Most of the online training also has supplementary self defense products right along side with the videos. Since the online infrastructure is already there it is nothing for them to provide extra electronic material. It can be audio interviews of other experts in their field or an electronic version of a guide that they publish. This online self defense training or "virtual training" is definitely the future of self defense products. I applaud it, and look forward to watching the evolution and the many shapes and forms that it will take. Click here to go to my online self defense training product reviews ...... (coming soon) E-Books & Books Lets get something straight right now. The amount you will learn from reading a book on self defense and self defense techniques is minimal. Of all the self defense products available this one is the least impressive category. It was tough to find some value here other than for supplementary learning. Yes, you will pick up a here and there but the real value comes from watching and doing. I understand that some people have different learning styles. Kinesthetic, visual, auditory and so on! However when it comes to learning self defense working through the motions and with the reactions of another living human body is the best format of learning available. E-books and books are terrific supplementary learning tools that will enhance your overall self defense training. I personally have been the most disappointed with self defense products found in these formats. Especially e-books. Click here to go to my self defense training product reviews for e-books and books......(coming soon) Live Training Hands down nothing in the world beats live self defense training period! Especially when the instructors are outstanding and the material is golden. I will be updating my live training reviews as they happen. Due to time, family and budget restraints these will be limited for now. I will however provide you with a list of the live training that I am looking at or have marked down on my to do list! To reach my to do list is a big accomplishment......my to do list is a list of items that I want to do before I die or am too old to accomplish them. Sounds corny, but it gives me something to look forward to while raising a young family. I only have four items that if I complete in my lifetime I will feel as though I have won the lottery.
Go To My Top Four Live Self Defense Training Choices
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