Want to fight crime like Batman?
What would it really take to be the Batman (i.e., no “freak” accident, scientific or supernatural in origin, that augmented one’s physical abilities)? Well, clearly one would need enough cash for all the cool toys. For the physical aspect, however, check out the question and answer session with a movement researcher: “Dark Knight Shift: Why Batman could exist – but not for long.”
When I read the article, I wanted to know the researcher’s comments on Batman’s training. Batman is a very accomplished martial artist, but that’s not an overnight accomplishment. Even current “masters” have studied for decades…
How long would Bruce Wayne have to train to become Batman?
In some of the timelines you see in the comics, the backstory is he goes away for five years—some it’s three to five years, or eight years, or 12 years. In terms of the physical changes (strength and conditioning), that’s happening fairly quickly. We’re talking three to five years. In terms of the physical skills to be able to defend himself against all these opponents all the time, I would benchmark that at 10 to 12 years. Probably the most reality-based representation of Batman and his training was in Batman Begins.
But clearly, the barrage of punches, falls, stabs, etc. would have their toll on the body over time. I would imagine that these sorts of beatings along with the constant need to train, Bruce Wayne must be a walking fracture (even assuming he has the absolute best of the best in medical care).
What effects would all that training have on Bruce Wayne’s body?
I looked up what DC Comics and some other books said (about Batman’s physique). I settled on the estimate that Bruce Wayne started off at about six-foot-two and 185 pounds. I gave him a body fat of 20 percent (slightly below average) and a body mass index of 26. Let’s say after 10 or 15 years, after he’s become the Batman, he’s weighing about 210 pounds and has a body fat of 10 percent. He’s probably gained 40 pounds of muscle. His bones will actually be more dense, kind of the opposite of osteoporosis.
How would Batman get enough rest?
The difficulty for Batman is he’s going to be trying to sleep during the day. He’s going to be really tired, actually, unless he can shift himself over to just being up at night. If he were just a nocturnal guy, he would actually be a lot healthier and have a lot better sleep than if he were doing what he does now, which is getting some light here and there. That’s going to mess up his sleep patterns and duration of sleep.
Wouldn’t fighting Gotham’s thugs every night take its toll?
The biggest unreal part of the way Batman’s portrayed is the nature of his injuries. Most of the time, in the comics and in the movies, even when he wins, he usually winds up taking a pretty good beating. There’s a real failure to show the cumulative effect of that. The next day he’s shown out there doing the same thing again. He’d likely be quite tired and injured.
Well, considering the current list of billionaires, who’s ready to take up the challenge? Hmm, Seattle sure has been relatively crime free lately. Would it be coincidence that Bill Gates has also recently “retired” from Microsoft? hah.