Take a moment, close your eyes, and imagine what your dream gym would look like. Take a step inside and open your eyes again, you will see something very close – this is Tactix gym.

For many rage members, Tactix gym has everything they need and more! There is the octagon, punching bags, medicine balls, easily extendable racks, plyometric boxes, agility ropes, kettlebells, and much more! It was definitely hard to hide our expressions of amazement at the similarity between our dream gym and what we saw.

After 10 minutes, we recovered from the shock and began our interview with Jack Gushue – head of strength and conditioning.

Chen: How is Tactix gym different from any of the other crossfit gyms in Vancouver?

Jack: The key focus with Tactix crossfit is to eliminate or reduce injuries that usually occur in crossfit. There is a high injury rate that is often attached to Olympic lifting or repetitive Olympic lifting. The instructor for crossfit at Tactix has an intensive background in fitness, MMA, karate, Jiu Jitsu, Krav Maga, and is highly ranked in crossfit. There is an emphasis on reducing the rate of injuries and getting people fit at Tactix. The instructors watch the lifts for technique. It is often heard that Tactix crossfit has a community-like vibe, where most people are familiar with each other and support each other. The instructors and the facility are unique in such a way that there is an energy that pushes people. The workouts can be so intense that it resembles the slogan “Other peoples’ workouts are our warm up,” which means that the people are constantly striving to pass their limits.

C: How exactly do you mix MMA with crossfit training? Why did this integration of two practices come to be?

J: Crossfit is a great conditioning tool which can be used to mould a fighter to overcome their weakness. It is used as general preparation for MMA fighters. The fighters begin in the crossfit environment for training and are then pulled away for specific training for their fights. Fighters are unique – they have their own style, strengths, and weaknesses. If a fighter is weak in their strength, then we will work on more explosiveness in their training. Crossfit can’t deter specific conditioning for fighting, so we have to take the skillset they have from crossfit and transgress this into their fighting style and MMA movements. When fighters have their own MMA conditioning, all the movements are adapted to be similar to MMA. For example throwing with smash balls once (and not repeatedly) to mimic the explosiveness that is needed in a momentary opening during an actual fight.

C: What is your opinion about kids’ involvement in MMA?

J: There is no kids program for MMA at Tactix. Though it has been an interest to look into, Tactix is currently not ready to have a kids program for MMA. If there were one, the primary focus would have to be on self-defence, foundations, and technique with limited exposure to sparring. This way, later in life, children who decide to pursue in a sport would have nearly perfect technique which would reduce any possible injury. I am not a fan of teaching kids to be too aggressive; any good fitness activity for kids needs to be fun and enjoyable.

A big kids program in Tactix would be Krav Maga. Krav Maga is an Israeli martial art developed for self-defence where the focus is on practicality and instinctual movements. The purpose is to capitalize on movements which are natural and use them to get out of a situation.  The essence of the saying that is used in Krav Maga is the means to transfer classroom experience to the streets.

 “What we learn today,
we use tomorrow.”

C: Why would you use Krav Maga as a conditioning style for kids, but not let them use MMA or crossfit?

 J: Crossfit and Krav Maga are different. Crossfit involves Olympic lifting. When children are still developing their bodies, putting load on their skeletal system is a bad idea. For children, it is better to use simplified movements known not to aggregate the frame. There are no weights or heavy lifting in Krav Maga meaning that there is also no strain for movements beyond what’s natural. The issue about crossfit and MMA for children needs to be addressed quite sensitively and catered especially for children.

C: The price for access to the gym is quite high, what makes Tactix worth the investment more than other gyms?

J: Crossfit prices are not that high at Tactix. In fact, it is slightly lower than typical crossfit in this area. Tactix is not just a crossfit gym – a membership at Tactix is a membership for everything we have to offer. Many members start out in crossfit, and then try kickboxing when they feel that they are in good shape. There are also a handful of people who move from crossfit to martial arts.

C: Do you think that people could be intimidated by the character of Tactix gym as a training centre considering the octagon, the punching bags, etc.?

J: There is no personal training at Tactix, but rather a classroom environment. Many people have come in commenting on how serious the gym looks. In truth, our instructors know the clients very well, so they know when to push them harder and when to hold back. It is only a myth that you need to be in shape to workout at Tactix. We have easily overcome this obstacle by word of mouth. Tactix gives off a family feel with the communal support and lack of ego. The energy and vibe is very relaxed, open, and supportive. There is a lot of passion and good atmosphere in this gym which contributes to the high retention.

C: The philosophy at Rage Conditioning is “Leave your ego at the door”, how would you comment on this statement as it relates to fitness?

J: The ability to expand and to be greater is limited when you have attitude. Humble individuals are constantly bringing new materials in and looking to expand and become better. An ego is not good for supporting health, fitness, and well-being because it constricts the individual. People with attitude tend to think “this is what I am, and this is what I am not.” When this attitude is removed, then the positive vibe expands what you are capable of.

We got a shirt that says:

“Check your ego at the door.”

Jennifer: The motto for Tactix gym is “finish what you start.” How did you come up with this motto?

Jack: A staff member came up with it. We all have the ability to start something that’s difficult, but many people don’t finish it when it gets tough. Tactix encourages people to push through toward their goals and not stop.  There is a bell that is rung for anyone who wishes to give up. To this day, no one has ever rung that bell. The bell as a symbol was taken from Laurian’s (owner) intensive military and Romanian background. In addition to being rung to announce quitting a training session, the bell is used to encourage others to push through your limitations.

C: How did you come up with the name Tactix? What is Tactix conditioning?

Murray: Tactix is from tactical and technique. Technique is stronger compared to strength in martial arts because there is more potential. Tactix is tactics with a little twist to make it shorter and sweeter.

Jack: Tactix conditioning is high interval conditioning with no Olympic lifts. There is a different protocol, but similar theories of crossfit strength, speed, coordination, and flexibility. There are 3-5 minute intervals that are repeated. There is also no set program and the schedule depends on the instructor of that day. It is very convenient because the classes include all levels and can be learnt on the spot.

After all questions were asked, we decided to stay and watch one of Murray’s previous fights. The commentary was hilarious and hyped up all the highlights right before they happened. We got to know the staff at Tactix and they got to know a little bit more about the history of Rage Conditioning. Jack and Murray were very humble in regards to everything they have been involved with, and their experiences which led them to Tactix. The time spent after the interview was definitely worth-while when one of our members at Rage left with a huge grin, an $8 mouth guard, and a dream of becoming a great yet humble wrestler one day.

Stay tuned for when we visit Tactix for a full hands on experience with Tactix conditioning.

Team RAGE

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