Archive for category: Testimonials

Spartan 2.0 over-delivers yet again. What I appreciate about Spartan as a company and product line resembles what I hold to be of utmost importance in a brand and corporate vision: constant improvement, customized adaptation, community dialogue. Spartan takes the feedback we provide placing their gear in unique, new and ongoing duress, and maintains a state of continual evolution.

As a grappler competitively, and a contact and control specialist for defensive tactics, gear becomes problematic. We grapplers took the rashguard out of beach attire and made it an industry. 😉 We are hard on gear because of snags, tears, and friction.

But Spartan returned from our feedback with an innovative response to the duress we place upon gear.

The elbow forearm guards represented one of the most frequent points of contact and we continually would release attachments, if not be obstructed by them. The new design resembles a padded compression sleeve, allowing maximum mobility and operation of the arm while minimizing if not preventing any friction or possible gear malfunction. Genius.

Groundfighting, standing up from the ground, engaging cover, takedowns and tackles all present problem in multi-piece gear. If you cannot render the actual skills to be performed, then training gear becomes a liability: for the best you can hope for in a fight is the worst you’ve performed in the gym. The interference between upper and lower architecture of training gear has in the past been an obstacle. Certainly, we will overcome any discomforts, but when accessing and deploying tools and techniques, integration of equipment without any obstruction to mobility is paramount. The new low-profile elastic waist and the removal of the previous plastic band no longer interrupts the movement between the vest and the shorts. Ideal.

Any law enforcement personnel knows how to dismantle the closures on their vests. And as instructors we know that under fatigue and stress we do what we’ve conditioned the most. This includes the removal of our gear. In the past we’ve put some serious wear and tear on the gear by not removing as per spec designs… because inadvertently under fatigue and stress of drilling, we started removing the training gear as one would body armor. To address this, Spartan 2.0 developed an ingenious ballistic style front closure which not only increases rib protection and fits better, it prevents us from causing product malfunctions. Thank you.

Previously designed helmets addressed the potential harm of impact, but often neglected to consider how grapplers use the head to control the body. This resulted in releasing the attachment points to other designs. But Spartan 2.0, and I don’t want to give away any corporate secrets, has implemented a design which I cannot yet Hoodini. I’ll keep trying, but I haven’t found a way to release this head gear even under high intensity. Keep your eyes on this helmet. Best on the market.

One last interplay I wanted to address was the relationship of the new elbow sleeve to the shoulder and wrist. As a grappler, I often establish wrist control – which is also a necessity in cuffing and restraint. Without amble opportunity for application of wrist control (and wrist restraints), training gear can interfere with skill practice, especially under stress of high intensity drilling. The new design of the sleeve works optimally in relationship between the gloves and shoulder pieces. Much appreciated.

Again, my kudos to Spartan for remaining the industry leader by engineering evolution. It will take quite a few years for others to catch up to these innovations.

Scott Sonnon

“We’ve used Spartan Training Gear’s Hoplite Armour many times for Krav Maga Alliance events, and I’ve personally worn the suit as the attacker several times. I’ve been the designated attacker over and over again for groups of more than twenty people. I was able to attack them effectively and absorb their counterattacks without getting banged up. Realistic training is a prerequisite for us; the mobility of the Hoplite Armor allows me to be a real attacker rather than just a lumbering marshmallow man. In fact, one student went a little crazy and got too violent. Even though I was inside the suit, I was able to roll him into an arm bar and calm him down. I highly recommend this gear.”

John Whitman
Founder, Krav Maga Alliance

“Got some great feedback for you on the Spartan Training Gear from me and my guys. The improved visual and inhalation properties of the headgear greatly enhance our ability to go longer and harder without fogging or laboring trying to breath. The Velcro straps on the back eliminate twisting and tangling. The gloves allow a much freer range of wrist movement. We are able to grab and clinch without restrictions or have the Velcro come loose. I like that fact that some areas where strikes could slip through are covered or reinforced. One of my students like the fact that he could kick higher thank in any other gear. All in all, can’t wait to log in more hours in the gear.”

Larry Brooks
Brooks Karate
West Winfield, NY

“When I need protective gear, I need to minimize restrictions and maximize mobility. Spartan Training Gear gives me that advantage like no other gear I’ve used. Major points about this gear: the suit’s articulation doesnt restrict the primary mobility junctures: neck, shoulders, thorax, and hips. Locking the neck in place causes easy knock-outs, locking the shoulders in place increases elbow injuries, immobilizing the thorax leads to lower back trauma, and fixing the hips in place causes knee strain. For example, unlike other armour I’ve used, the Spartan design of the chest protection renders the biomechanics profile of the core: a corset first holds the armour to the belly, and then the chest plate connects over top. This two-ply design facilitates thoracic rotation without which (see other single-ply chest armor) the lower back intended for stability becomes forced into mobility – which leads to pain and injuries, especially with occupationally-vulnerable individuals like law enforcement. A technology is only as effective as it increases the human’s skill. You can be a very powerful individual, but without movement, you remain impotent of expressing that power (think competitive bodybuilders attempting highly athletic skills.) I’ll advocate any technology which helps our service personnel, and this obviously has an enormous amount of intelligence invested in it.”

Scott Sonnon
TACFIT Chief Operations Officer
US National Martial Arts Team Coach
US Federal Law Enforcement Instructor
US Army Special Operations Instructor

“I have taught over 160 seminars with my “Fight Like a Girl Program,” as a self defense expert I have seen my share of training equipment when it comes to self defense for women and men. However, we recently used the Spartan Training Gear Suit at one of the largest Fight like a Girl Seminars to date and I must say it was user friendly for the attacker and the one being attacked. The suit was realistic give the proper protection to the wearer and to the self defense participant. I highly recommend the Spartan Training Gear Suit for self defense training because it’s light and doesn’t slow down the wearer making the attacks more realistic… and by being more realistic we can all save a life, thank you Spartan Training Gear.”

Kym Rock
President – Fight Like a Girl Inc.
www.fightlikeagirl.pro