What is Krav Maga?

Krav Maga is a military self-defense and fighting style developed for the Israeli Security Forces and the Israeli Defense forces (IDF). It has gained notable recognition in the last 5 -10 years and is spreading quickly across the US. Krav Maga is considered a martial art but differs in a number of ways. Krav is still a fairly new style and continues to change and evolve as a system, adding more applicable techniques (ground fighting) and getting rid of older techniques (fighting against traditional karate type styles). Krav Maga's objective is to train and consider the psychology of an actual street fight and not a competition match. Adrenaline dump, loss of fine motor skills, tunnel vision and stress are all areas in a self-defense scenario that should be taken into account when training. Other considerations, such as multiple attackers, armed assailants, and understanding your environment are important factors in Krav Maga.

 

Krav Maga vs MMA or other martial arts?

I am often asked about comparing Krav with other martial art styles or even an MMA fighter. Think of this: a truck isn't a great race car, nor is a Porsche good for long trips or hauling. You might need a minivan for those soccer events or a small quick car for commuting to DC. Likewise, Krav Maga is a specialty martial art that serves one core purpose: to defend against aggressive assailants. Let me reiterate this: Krav is the system you want when you have a person who has lost it and is trying to attack you with whatever they have in their hand.  It is these crazed and real attacks that are most common in the street we learn defending against in the first couple levels, and moving into more difficult and life-threatening situations with guns, bats, rifles and knives later. You will learn elements of striking, boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, Judo, JiuJitsu, wrestling and much more along the way like an MMA fighter, except the purpose is not getting into the ring with another fighter but to be ready for the street in an unknown environment. I like what Sean Connery says in the movie Untouchables: "You just fulfilled the first rule of law enforcement: make sure when your shift is over you go home alive. Here endeth the lesson."

 

Why Krav Maga over other martial arts?

In my opinion (and I'm not a website robot), Krav Maga is the perfect place to start in martial arts, as the primary focus should be on self-defending ourselves against the aggressor. Later you will graduate to more of a fighter-on-fighter ability and along the way you'll learn core mixed martial arts. Should you find out you really like the kickboxing aspect more....dive deep into Muay Thai. The grappling portion is getting super fun? Dive deeper into JiuJitsu. Regardless, Krav is the perfect foundation to have in hand to hand fighting and self-defense!  One thing I have learned, is that all Krav Maga schools are not the same. Schools that mix Krav with traditional martial arts techniques and approaches, can water Krav down.  I hope you consider our school which stems off of contemporary fighting (Muay Thai, Judo and JiuJitsu).  

 

Is it fun?

Of course, it is! Stop reading this and come check us out!

It's really hard to describe in words. We promise the hardest part will be driving out to the gym. We cater to adults from all walks of life and will customize your self-defense and street fighting experience. Start today and try a Krav Maga class for free!