Want to get fit and learn to fight like an Israeli soldier?
Krav Maga classes are being offered in cities all over the world. People are signing up as an alternative to traditional gyms. They’re also learning how to defend themselves with real-world techniques. So what is Krav Maga exactly?
You’ve probably heard of mixed martial arts or MMA (thanks to the UFC) but what you probably don’t know is that Krav Maga is a type of MMA. It’s a combination of multiple styles like boxing, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu.
Keep reading below for the ten reasons why you should learn Krav Maga.
Protect Yourself With Krav Maga
When you sign up for a Krav Maga class you’re learning how to protect yourself with multiple styles.
Forget about practicing forms as you would in Karate. The Krav Maga philosophy is a practical, street-fighting style meant to put your opponent down quickly and escape unharmed.
If you’re genuinely interested in real-life self-defense, Krav Maga is the perfect style for you.
Krav Maga Classes Are an Intense Workout
Krav Maga is an intense workout that’ll burn fat and build muscle. At the end of one class, you’ll be drenched with sweat and your heart will be racing.
Some gyms offer a cardio Krav Maga class you can do at home. But, a real full-contact class will burn hundreds of calories in one hour.
Celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Hillary Swank, and Matt Damon trained in Krav Maga to get in shape and prepare for action films.
You’ll get a full-body workout and use muscles you never knew existed. Furthermore, class routines are constantly changing so your body won’t get used to one specific workout.
Build Confidence in Krav Maga Training
The mental benefits of Krav Maga training are clear but attending class every week will build your confidence. It’s designed to be used by fighters of all sizes. Smaller women, for instance, can learn how to incapacitate a much larger man attacking them.
Everyone in a Krav Maga class will learn how to throw a punch, escape chokes, grab opponents, and do whatever is needed to win. As weeks of classes pass by students begin to see themselves improving and their confidence skyrockets.
Maybe they throw punches harder than they did in the beginning or they can finally escape a bear hug from the big guy in class.
The confidence you gain from self-defense classes is often enough to keep you out of a fight for the rest of your life.
Visit the Krav Maga Academy in Israel
Krav Maga has a rich history in Israel. Imi Lichtenfeld founded it in the 1930s. He was a Jewish fighter who lived in Slovakia in the years leading up to World War II.
He spent a lot of his time fighting anti-Semitic groups on the streets of Bratislava. Later, he took what he learned about fighting and began teaching other Jewish boys to defend themselves. When the war broke out he escaped to Palestine (the area known today as Israel).
Lichtenfeld developed Krav Maga from his own experiences and began teaching soldiers in the Israeli Army. Over the years he refined the style by adding elements that would help soldiers on the battlefield. In 1978 he founded the Krav Maga Association with a group of students.
It’s still taught to the army today and practitioners from around the world travel to Israel to visit the home of Krav Maga.
Form a New Community of Krav Friends
Krav Maga classes can range between five and 25 people, depending on the size of the facility and how many instructors are available. Most classes last one hour.
One of the best parts of signing up for a Krav Maga class is meeting people of all backgrounds and interests. It’s open for all. Student ages range from teenagers to seniors. Men and women are both invited to all classes.
Members of one class will get a chance to practice moves with everyone. Effective instructors will rotate them to other students so they don’t get used to the same person. Krav Maga is all about never getting comfortable.
After an hour of holding someone’s pad for knee strikes or practicing armbars on the ground, you’ll be good friends in no time. In fact, by the end of a few weeks, everyone will know each other better.
Challenge Your Mental Toughness
One thing you need to know about Krav Maga is that it’ll strengthen both your body and mind. Instructors want to develop your combat mindset. They want to rewire the way your brain thinks about danger and self-defense.
Here’s a common phrase in a Krav Maga class: “The moment you get attacked, you are not the victim. You become the attacker.” They want students to stand up and be more aggressive than ever before.
This combat mindset transcends into other areas of your life: relationships, work, family, and more. It shows students that what they thought was frightening wasn’t so bad after all.
Some business owners or managers who’ve taken Krav Maga classes have seen an improvement in their mental toughness. They’re more likely to fight for what they want and never give up.
Progress Through Krav Maga Quickly
There is a belt system in Krav Maga but it’s not as strict as other martial arts. You can work your way up to a black belt but it will certainly take you a few years.
Every step in the belt system comes with a rigorous examination. You have to demonstrate all that you’ve learned at that level and the ones before it. The requirements keep building until your final test for the black belt can last for hours. It’s very intense.
The good news is you can progress fairly quickly if you’re consistent with classes. For example, new students should attend at least 40 classes before being eligible for the Level 1 test (yellow belt).
Not only should you master all of the techniques of each level before testing, but you should ensure you’re fit enough to finish each test. It may help to do extra cardio or light weightlifting.
Learn How To Handle Yourself With Weapons
Everyone in a Krav Maga loves weapons night. Whether you’re using a rubber gun, fake knife, or sticks, it’s exhilarating to discover you’re capable of stopping a deadly attack.
Gun defenses are the bread and butter of Krav Maga, developed from years of use in the Israeli Army. Their weapon defenses are described as the best in the world by experts.
Krav instructors use the acronym RCAT for redirect, control, attack, and takeaway. This is what they teach students to do when being attacked with a weapon. From RCAT, they’ll tie the principles of Krav Maga to specific weapons defenses.
When facing a loaded gun, for example, a practitioner will first redirect the muzzle of the gun with his hand. They need to make sure to have control of the weapon. Next, they attack with their free hand and legs. The final step is to attempt to take away the weapon and dismantle it before an escape.
Training in Krav Maga Relieves Stress
Everyone seems to be so stressed these days yet physical activities like Krav Maga are a fantastic way to find a sense of peace in a hectic world.
Krav training is specifically done under stress to help you manage emotions. Fighting sports also develop a sense of “active mindfulness” where you think about nothing else but the competition ahead.
Exercise is generally known to relieve stress. But, punching and kicking a heavy bag will definitely do the trick.
Increasing your heart rate and blood flow is healthy for the brain. Hitting bags or pads reduces the muscle tension accumulated when you’re stressed.
And the best part of any workout is the endorphin release at the end. You’ll always leave class feeling calm and satisfied. If you don’t believe us, ask anyone who’s ever taken a Krav class how they feel.
Improve Your Situational Awareness
Situational awareness is a key element of self-defense. If you’ve never heard of this term before, it means being able to perceive everything around you and anticipate any threats. This skill is often developed in police officers and soldiers.
Developing situational awareness begins with having students take advantage of their five senses. You should be able to hear a screeching car or smell a gas leak.
There’s also the ability to sense suspicious behavior in another person. It’s much easier to change directions or cross the street then engage in a street fight.
Ready To Try Krav Maga?
Are you ready to get fit and be a total badass? There are so many benefits to taking Krav Maga classes. Start researching classes in your community today and check if they’re affiliated with the Krav Maga Association.
Keep reading more of this blog if you’re interested in learning more about improving your life, career, or personal finances. Our informative articles cover saving money, investing, tips for remote working, and how to stay fit.
