Combat Club isn’t a gym, a CrossFit affiliate, or a generic firearms course. It’s a 30-member-cap, qualification-required, Saturday-mornings-only tactical training community in Austin. Here’s what it actually is, who it’s for, and how to apply.
By Ron, Tactical Fitness Austin Founder Last updated: May 2026
TL;DR
Combat Club is invite-only weekly training (Saturdays, 8am, private outdoor range in Austin) that pairs combat conditioning with live-fire integration. Capped at 30 members across three tiers: Advanced ($699/12-weeks or $2,599/year), Elite ($899/12-weeks or $3,389/year), or Ultimate ($3,899/12-weeks or $12,989/year). Must pass a qualification test to join. This is for experienced shooters who want to compound their skill in a small training community — not for beginners, not for casual hobbyists.
What Combat Club actually is
In one sentence: it’s the only program in Austin that systematically pairs physical conditioning with firearms training, every Saturday, with the same instructors and the same 30 members.
What that means in practice
Every Saturday, 8am. Same time. Same place. Same instructors. The consistency matters — skill compounds with reps, and reps require showing up.
2 hours of programming. A different tactical topic each month — pistol drills, rifle drills, CQB, low-light, home defense, Krav Maga. The curriculum rotates so you build breadth across every major skill domain.
Private outdoor range, members only. No public lanes. No tourists. Same 30 people who know the curriculum and the standards.
Curriculum rotates monthly. Pistol drills → rifle drills → CQB → low-light → home defense → Krav Maga integration. Over a year you cover every major skill domain.
Members get more than the Saturday session. Open range access before class (Advanced tier+), instructor track development for Elite tier members, private lessons included, exclusive courses, free gear, referral bonuses, and direct mentorship at the Ultimate tier.
Who Combat Club is for
This is for you if:
- You already train consistently (firearms, gym, or both) and want a structured weekly program that makes you better at both
- You’re a serious shooter who’s frustrated by public ranges (lanes, time limits, beginners, no real instruction)
- You want to train with people who take it seriously — competitive but not elitist
- You can commit to most Saturdays (we accommodate 1-month freezes per year, but if you can only show up monthly, this isn’t the right fit)
- You can pass the qualification test (more on that below)
This is NOT for you if:
- You’ve never fired a gun before. Start with private training first; come back when you have the fundamentals.
- You’re looking for a “fitness program with guns” as novelty. Combat Club is serious training.
- You want to train when you feel like it. Combat Club requires Saturday consistency.
- You’re focused only on competitive shooting. Combat Club isn’t a 3-gun or USPSA prep program.
- You’re under 21. Members must be 21+.
The reason for the strict fit criteria: with 30 members and 52 Saturday sessions a year, every spot matters. We’d rather have the right 30 than 100 inconsistent.
The Qualification Test
What the qualification looks like
- Runs every Saturday at 7am — before the regular Combat Club session starts
- Gear check first: pistol with night sights or red dot, quality IWB/OWB holster (no leather), 5+ magazines, eye and ear protection. Rifle adds: illuminated optic, weapon-mounted light, sling, 3 magazines.
- Pistol standard: 40 rounds (4 × 10-round mags), IDPA target — 160/200 to pass (80%)
- Rifle standard: 45 rounds (3 × 15-round mags), IDPA target — 180/225 to pass (80%)
- No fitness test
After the qualification
- Pass → both sides confirm it’s a fit; you start the following Saturday at your chosen tier
- Below standard → specific feedback on what to work on; come back when ready
How to Apply
Step 1: Read the requirements above carefully
Combat Club has a tight fit profile. Half of our application work is helping people self-select OUT — saving them and us the test session if they’re not the right fit.
Step 2: Confirm you can commit
- Saturday 8am, ~2 hours, most weeks
- 21+ years old
- Comfortable with firearms (or have prior training)
- Live in or regularly travel to Austin
- Budget at Advanced tier minimum ($699/12-weeks or $2,599/year)
If you check all five, proceed.
Step 3: Apply
Go directly to the Combat Club page: tacticalfitnessaustin.com/training/combat-club/ →
If you have questions first, text or call (512) 815-9101 or email [email protected].
Step 4: Show up for the qualification test
Qualification runs every Saturday at 7am, before Combat Club starts. Show up with your required gear (listed above under “The Qualification Test”), run through the marksmanship standard, and if it’s a fit on both sides you’ll start the following Saturday.
Step 5: Test, accept, start
If you pass, you’ll be invited to start at the next Saturday session. Most new members join mid-month — the curriculum is cyclical, you’ll be brought up to speed in your first 2-3 sessions.
What current members say
(Real member feedback from the past 6 months — names withheld at member request)
“I’d been training alone for years. Combat Club gave me a peer group that actually pushed me. I’m a different shooter than I was 6 months ago, and it’s not subtle.” — Member, Elite tier, 8 months in
“Worth every dollar of the Ultimate tier just for the monthly private session. The 1-on-1 made me 10x more capable than any group class would have.” — Member, Ultimate tier, 2 years in
“I was nervous about the qualification test. Wasted energy. Everyone here was once nervous about the qualification test. The culture is supportive — nobody’s trying to make you feel small.” — Member, Advanced tier, 4 months in
Common questions
How long is the waitlist?
It varies. We move quickly when a current member freezes or doesn’t renew. Most applicants who pass the qualification test start within 30-90 days. If we’re at full 30, we’ll be honest about the timeline at your test session.
Do you offer trial sessions before committing?
The qualification test IS the trial session. You get a 2-hour look at the program and the people before deciding to pay. We don’t offer “drop-in” trials — the format requires a committed group.
What if I freeze my membership and lose my spot?
Members in good standing can freeze up to 1-2 months per year (depending on tier) without losing their slot. Beyond that, you may move to a temporary waitlist if we have applicants ready.
Can I just pay for one Saturday to try it?
No. Combat Club is membership-only. The reason: a one-off attendee dilutes the cohort experience for the committed 30. We’ve tried it both ways; the current approach makes the program work.
Do you train women?
Yes. About 20% of current members are women. Same curriculum, same standards, same qualification test. The “tactical fitness” framing sometimes makes women self-select out — don’t.
What if I have a service background (military, law enforcement, security)?
Tell us in your application. We often work with service-background members on advanced curriculum and instructor track opportunities at the Elite/Ultimate tier.
Is there a corporate / team membership?
Not as a structure, but we’ll sometimes accept 3-4 members from the same company simultaneously if they fit individually. For team-only programming, our corporate offerings are a better fit (Team Building Experiences).
How does this compare to other Austin firearms training programs?
Most Austin firearms training is: – One-off classes (foundation, CCW, etc.) – Public range time + occasional instructed sessions – Competitive shooting clubs (3-gun, USPSA)
Combat Club is the only program in Austin offering: weekly, members-only, instructor-led, tactical-fitness-integrated training with a curriculum that progresses over time.
If you’re looking for one-off classes or competitive shooting, we have other offerings that fit better. If you want to compound skill weekly with a small training community, Combat Club is the right program.
Next step
If you’ve read this far and Combat Club sounds like the right fit:
- Email: [email protected] (subject: “Combat Club application — [your name]”)
- Text: (512) 815-9101
- Web form: Apply on the Combat Club page →
Personal note from me: I read every Combat Club application. If you’re on the fence about whether you’re “ready enough” — apply anyway. The qualification test will give you a clear answer, and either way you’ll know more about whether tactical fitness is something you want to pursue seriously.
— Ron, Tactical Fitness Austin Founder
Get the 7-Day Combat Conditioning Plan
Ready to apply? The qualification test runs every Saturday at 7am — show up with your gear and find out where you stand:
Tactical Fitness Austin — Austin’s private outdoor tactical training operator. Combat Club, private firearms training, corporate events, bachelor experiences.
tacticalfitnessaustin.com · (512) 815-9101
Membership tiers
Advanced Combat Club — $699 / 12-weeks or $2,599 / year
Weekly Combat Club training · 1 free exclusive course/year · 1 free private lesson/year (after 4 months) · Open range access before class · Free merch at signup · 50% off Vortex Optics · Freeze 1 month/year
Elite Combat Club — $899 / 12-weeks or $3,389 / year
Everything in Advanced, plus: Instructor Track access · Unlimited online instructionals · 2 free exclusive courses/year · 2 free private lessons/year · Extra hour of Advanced training monthly · Quarterly virtual technique reviews · Freeze 2 months/year
Ultimate Combat Club — $3,899 / 12-weeks or $12,989 / year
Everything in Elite, plus: Monthly 4-hour private with elite instructor · Custom training plan + mentorship · VIP event priority