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In today’s world, women need to be able to defend themselves.

This is according to René (Frenchy) Grenon, co-owner of Independent MMA where he teaches women-only mixed-martial-arts (MMA) classes.

“More and more there is divorce, separation of couples. Women are on their own raising the kids, or they live alone. There are more women living alone in 2011 than there was in the 1980s. There’s more attacks in 2011 than there used to be in the 1980s,” Grenon said through his strong Québecois accent.

“When you get pinned...it’s going to hurt,” says trainer René Grenon.

Photo: Brian Vossen/Calgary Journal

Growing up, Grenon said he learned how to fight from several of his friends who were trained in different martial arts.

Eventually, Grenon realized that women could use many of the techniques he knew in self-defence situations. He decided he would teach these techniques to women, and not to men.

The women’s classes at Independent MMA are divided into three parts. For the first half hour, students are put through rigorous conditioning exercises and drills. Grenon said that the workout alone is what brings many of his students to classes. He added that fitness is an asset to self defence, as is the confidence that being in shape brings.

Grenon explained that potential attackers aren’t looking for a fight, they are looking for an easy target. Someone who exudes confidence is not likely to be a target, he said.

“It’s like a predator right? It’s the same in the wild. Lions aren’t going to attack a bigger lion.”

During the second half hour of the class, Grenon teaches his students techniques and MMA moves they can use as self defence. In the final half hour of the class, Grenon or another instructor will don a protective suit and allow the students to practice those techniques in a variety of self defence scenarios.

Grenon said he works hard to bring realism to these practice sessions.

“I go and show you exactly like, this is how hard it’s going to feel. When you get pinned, it’s going to hurt . . . I have to make it real. If not, (students) get a false sense of security. If you make it easy on them, they’re going to think they know it all,” Grenon said.

His hard work and dedication has paid off, it seems, as Grenon knows of several instances where the women he has taught have been attacked and been able to successfully defend themselves. Grenon said he finds success stories like these reassuring.

“It makes me feel proud. Of course it makes me proud. It makes me believe in what I’m teaching even more. Because sometimes you second guess yourself,” Grenon said.

Keegan Hanning, who co-owns the gym with Grenon and instructs as well, said that being able to protect oneself if necessary enhances one’s quality of life.

“We want to be able to teach everybody to protect themselves and live a life that is enjoyable for them and not to live in fear,” Hanning said. “When you live in fear, you live life a different way. You look at everything as the wrong way. You don’t see it and enjoy it for what it really is.”

Amy Le, who has been attending the classes for about two months, said she has definitely benefitted from the classes.

“It makes you more confident. Of course you’re never going to go out and look for a fight, but if something were to happen you at least have that to fall back on,” she said.

Le, who attends other MMA classes at Independent in addition to the women’s class, also said that because of her training at Independent she is in the best shape she has been in years. She added that she enjoys training at Independent because of the instructors.

“They know how to drive you but encourage you at the same time,” Le said. “It’s not like they are drill sergeants and they’re making you feel bad about yourself. They want to push you. They keep it fun and humorous and challenging.”