Among other programs, The Garrison offers a “Women’s Bootcamp” diet and exercise regimen.

In September 2009, Brandon Nunley was visiting his fiancée’s family in Eau Claire after studying Muay Thai for a year in Thailand, followed by a year of training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) with Brazilian Top Team in Brazil. At the time, there were no academies in Eau Claire that offered training in either discipline, so he did what forward-thinking Eau Clairians do. “I saw that there was a huge demand and no one to fill it, so I opened the academy,” says Nunley.

In a little over two years, The Garrison Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has expanded from competitive sports programs like boxing, BJJ, and Muay Thai kickboxing to include more general fitness and family fitness programs such as cardio kickboxing, separate bootcamps for men and women, and youth programs. This allows people who join The Garrison MMA to find the best combination of fitness, competitive sports opportunities, and self defense to suit their needs.

Nunley’s development of the youth wrestling and martial arts programs at The Garrison are informed by his own martial arts training as a child. “My parents put me in karate and it accomplished absolutely zero,” he recalls. He says that when a child is taunted and bullied and cannot realistically use karate to stop an assault, it can destroy a child’s self-esteem. “I was in the same boat as a child, bullied incessantly,” he says. Therefore, Nunley specifically focuses on self defense that is practical and can be effectively applied in real life situations. This is one of the reasons for the emphasis on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a grappling-based martial art – also called submission wrestling. BJJ creates advantages for a smaller person over a larger person by taking the attacker to the ground and using mechanical leverage rather than focusing on standing attacks.

The Garrison has also seen growing popularity in its Women’s Bootcamp program. “We have incredible results with our women’s bootcamps because we have incredible instructors who personalize diet and exercise programs to every single woman that walks through,” says Nunley. The program caters to people who don’t work out well on their own and need support and accountability to stick with it. For a group exercise program, it has more of a personal training feel and provides a fun, social element that sometimes is lacking in other fitness options.

Although there are people who train competitively, the academy welcomes all fitness levels. “We have a beginner program for every sport and activity we offer,” says Suki Rasmussen, Office Manager at The Garrison. “People tend to think of weight loss as the Holy Grail for fitness, but some people just want to feel better, be more active, gain camaraderie – and bootcamps are perfect for them.” She adds that most programs are also available for both youth (5 years old and up) and adults.

The Garrison MMA is a full service academy. The space includes two huge rings, a bank of heavyweight bags, grappling mats, and separate locker, shower, and bathroom facilities for men and women. Uniforms are not currently required for programs except for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and those are provided by the facility.

For detailed information on programs offered at The Garrison, including personal training and Youth Summer Camp, contact Suki Rasmussen at suki@eauclairemma.com or 379-9649. Or visit www.eauclairemma.com. Walk-ins welcome at Banbury Place Building #4, Suite 215.