Fight clubs have probably existed since the dawn of mankind -- fighting is a part of human nature, and these clubs allow members to spar in a consensual, good-spirited fashion. In the movie "Fight Club," Tyler Durden, the club's leader, instructed members not to tell anyone about their group. This rule seems to hold true in real life; though consensual sparring is legal, most groups don't advertise, for a variety of reasons. It may be difficult to find a fight club like the one in the movie, but there are many boxing and martial arts meetup groups around the country.
Enroll in a martial arts or boxing class. While many clubs allow new fighters to participate, other clubs restrict membership to those with fighting experience. Taking a few fighting classes will increase your options.
Find a nearby fight club. If you go to meetup.com, you can enter your zip code and country to locate the nearest sparring club. Read the descriptions of each club carefully to make sure you fit their requirements. Some allow freestyle fighting, while others only allow a specific type of martial arts fighting. If you are interested in a women's fight club group, join the Female Fight Club group on myspace to see fight schedules and locations.
Organize your own fight club if you can't find one in your area. Enlist interested friends and set rules and guidelines ahead of time (e.g., "Stop fighting if someone says 'stop' or goes limp"), to ensure the fighting doesn't get out of hand. Hold regular fighting events on your personal property or rent out space in a local gym.
Attend fighting events alone or with same-gender friends who plan to fight. Most fighting groups frown upon spectators, since fight clubs are a safe space for people to be themselves, not put on a show.
Listen to the fight club rules, respect and follow them. Each club will have its own specific set of rules. As long as you show up and meet the specific club's requirements, you will be able to join.
Avoid talking about your fight club if it isn't advertised. Talking about the fight club can encourage spectators and other undesirables to attend meetings. This can overcrowd the club and can cause fighting events to get out of control. Talking to members of the opposite sex about fight club is especially frowned upon, particularly with women's fight clubs. The purpose of a fight club is for members to vent aggression in their own way, without the judgment of a crowd.
Writer Bio
Christina Sloane has been writing since 1992. Her work has appeared in several national literary magazines.
