Krav Maga

JE55Y

I had a free three hour Krav Maga session yesterday. Has anyone heard of this? It's an Israeli form of Self Defence, about using your natural reactions to defend yourself. It's also a good way to lose weight and get fit... so I've been told.

It was really good fun, but today I'm aching.. everywhere!!

So has anyone else heard of this, tried it... or attends Krav Maga classes?

jmecale72

I've heard about it. It looks really good and fun.

shimacrema

I have heard of it and I so want to take some classes.

Just_Dot

I've not done it, but my ex-husband is in law enforcement and he just finished a training to be a Krav instructor...it was over on Friday and as of today, he still couldn't walk!

roxannima

I heard about it on an episode of "How I Met Your Mother"! lol

If it hurts everywhere, then that means it was a full-body workout, which is great for losing weight. If you enjoy it, keep it up! Sounds like tons of fun.

Barelmy

I think I was at the same one. You in Birmingham?

I've been training since February, so I did yesterday as a free training session, for the extra time, and to get a chance to work with women. I'm the only girl in my class, and while it's helpful training with people bigger than me, women face different threats.

Ben2118

I am looking to start it when I reach my goal weight, I have a few friends who do it at an advanced level and it is a great form of exercise! whats more you will learn how to protect yourself in real life situations which is a big plus.

I would highly recommend it, self defense and a great workout....WIN WIN!! lol

Ben.

Barelmy

Assuming we were at the same thing, I reckon I burned about a thousand calories, all in all.:D It's good for that, too.

aset132

I would LOVE to learn this! Unfortunately we live in a very small town and this is not an option. Enjoy it!

arc918

I tried a class a month or so back. It was a crazy workout and great self defense (very practical - what to do when you get jumped in an alley kind of stuff).

I really wanted to do it more, but the class schedule at their studio didn't fit well with my current schedule. I wish I could have paid by the class, but they make you sign up for at least 6 months.

The instructor did a lot of cross fit exercises as well (not sure whether or not they all do this).

NightOwl1

I've done some training in Krav Maga. They offer it once a week at my gym included in the membership, but unfortunately I haven't been able to get back there for a while at that date and time. It is one of the best self defense systems out there for real world self defense, since it focuses all on how to respond to likely real world threats. After a few classes, you'll be much better prepared to handle yourself if you should ever run into a bad situation. It's been a couple of months since I've been to a class, but there's still a lot of Krav Maga that I've retained should I ever need to use it.

It's also a fantastic workout. Depending on your weight and how hard the workouts are, my guess is you burn somewhere between 500 and 1000 calories an hour. So if it's something you are interested in, I say go for it.

JE55Y

I think I was at the same one. You in Birmingham?

I've been training since February, so I did yesterday as a free training session, for the extra time, and to get a chance to work with women. I'm the only girl in my class, and while it's helpful training with people bigger than me, women face different threats.

Wow, what are the chances!

It was at Perry Barr. I don't recognise you from your photos... were you the girl who set me flying across the room? Lol.

I think I was the only one in shorts!

It was brilliant and I am really considering joing, but the location of the classes is an issue for me as I don't want to have to travel too far.

Which class do you go to? Who's your instructor?

What's it like training with all men? I think I'd do better training in a mixed group, but I think men can be alot rougher than women.

JE55Y

I've done some training in Krav Maga. They offer it once a week at my gym included in the membership, but unfortunately I haven't been able to get back there for a while at that date and time. It is one of the best self defense systems out there for real world self defense, since it focuses all on how to respond to likely real world threats. After a few classes, you'll be much better prepared to handle yourself if you should ever run into a bad situation. It's been a couple of months since I've been to a class, but there's still a lot of Krav Maga that I've retained should I ever need to use it.

It's also a fantastic workout. Depending on your weight and how hard the workouts are, my guess is you burn somewhere between 500 and 1000 calories an hour. So if it's something you are interested in, I say go for it.

I like the sound of burning all those calories. I'm really unfit at the moment. I do alot of walking but I found punching, kicking, and slapping the punch pads extremely exhausting... and I only did it for 30 seconds. I was ready to collapse!!

craftylatvian

I would love to take classes, but no one around here offers them, Closest place is 1.5 hrs. away :sad:

JE55Y

Thanks for all of your replies.

I've done karate before, but I would say that karate is just a form of exercise. Krav seems like something you could actually use, if needed. I think it could be a really good way to lose weight too.

I'd recommend anyone to have just one session of this, It's brilliant, but the next day you will really feel it. I'm still aching.. even my fingers ache just pinching them together to pick something up off the floor! Lol.

JE55Y

I would love to take classes, but no one around here offers them, Closest place is 1.5 hrs. away :sad:

That's a shame

Might be a good money making business there though... drive the distance, learn it and then teach it in your home town

miovlb6

I have so been wanting to try this, but the closest place I've found to do it is about 40 minutes away. Since I was a little on the fence anyway, I let the distance keep me away, but now you've sparked my interest again. I just went to their website and it looks like they offer a free class to try it out, so now I have no excuse but to try it out. I'm going to give them a call tomorrow. Thanks for the inspiration!

JE55Y

I have so been wanting to try this, but the closest place I've found to do it is about 40 minutes away. Since I was a little on the fence anyway, I let the distance keep me away, but now you've sparked my interest again. I just went to their website and it looks like they offer a free class to try it out, so now I have no excuse but to try it out. I'm going to give them a call tomorrow. Thanks for the inspiration!

I felt the same, the class I went to was a distance to drive and in heavy traffic would probably take over an hour to get to. I'm still thinking that it's too far to travel, but I could go after work which would shorten the journey...

I guess you just have to make the decision. I know how easily it is to make excuses not to do things. Go for it and let me know how you get on
Let me know if you ache as much as I do right now! Lol

Barelmy

I think I was at the same one. You in Birmingham?

I've been training since February, so I did yesterday as a free training session, for the extra time, and to get a chance to work with women. I'm the only girl in my class, and while it's helpful training with people bigger than me, women face different threats.

Wow, what are the chances!

It was at Perry Barr. I don't recognise you from your photos... were you the girl who set me flying across the room? Lol.

I think I was the only one in shorts!

It was brilliant and I am really considering joing, but the location of the classes is an issue for me as I don't want to have to travel too far.

Which class do you go to? Who's your instructor?

What's it like training with all men? I think I'd do better training in a mixed group, but I think men can be alot rougher than women.

hi.:D

I go to the two Thursday classes with Alan, the poor guy who had to wear the helmet while Steve punched him. I do two in a row, because it's a bit of a distance for me, too, so I'd rather only make the journey once.

I've never not trained with a bunch of guys (apart from yesterday) so I can't compare. Alan's very protective; every class he's like, are you okay to work with him? Can you work with him? If it helps, the two girls with the groin guards are in the Tuesday general classes (and I'm in the beginners one, for the next five weeks).

Steve was talking about setting up classes in other areas, especially since they're getting full now. You could email him and ask about your area. I know he's thinking of Edgbaston, but I forget the rest.

I might have been, I'm not sure.:o I was working with the very tall and thin dark-skinned girl, with bright red hair, on the mat to the left as you walk through the door. I was the one with a ginormous bruise on her arm.

Barelmy

Oh, and regarding distance, I think it's only the Saturday classes that are at the GMAC; most of the others are either at Fox Hollies or Acocks Green, iirc.

JE55Y

I think I was at the same one. You in Birmingham?

I've been training since February, so I did yesterday as a free training session, for the extra time, and to get a chance to work with women. I'm the only girl in my class, and while it's helpful training with people bigger than me, women face different threats.

Wow, what are the chances!

It was at Perry Barr. I don't recognise you from your photos... were you the girl who set me flying across the room? Lol.

I think I was the only one in shorts!

It was brilliant and I am really considering joing, but the location of the classes is an issue for me as I don't want to have to travel too far.

Which class do you go to? Who's your instructor?

What's it like training with all men? I think I'd do better training in a mixed group, but I think men can be alot rougher than women.

hi.:D

I go to the two Thursday classes with Alan, the poor guy who had to wear the helmet while Steve punched him. I do two in a row, because it's a bit of a distance for me, too, so I'd rather only make the journey once.

I've never not trained with a bunch of guys (apart from yesterday) so I can't compare. Alan's very protective; every class he's like, are you okay to work with him? Can you work with him? If it helps, the two girls with the groin guards are in the Tuesday general classes (and I'm in the beginners one, for the next five weeks).

Steve was talking about setting up classes in other areas, especially since they're getting full now. You could email him and ask about your area. I know he's thinking of Edgbaston, but I forget the rest.

I might have been, I'm not sure.:o I was working with the very tall and thin dark-skinned girl, with bright red hair, on the mat to the left as you walk through the door. I was the one with a ginormous bruise on her arm.

Ha ha, I think you were the girl showing your bruise to the instructors before the session started. He offered to give you a bruise on the other arm.

It was the short haired girl with the groin guard who sent me flying. I was a little confused as to why she was wearing that... she had wrist guards too so she's probably had a few bad bruises and decided not to take any chances.

I'd probably go to Edgbaston, and do one session a week to start. My friend is one of the instructors so I'll speak to him tomorrow... and also tell him that I did see him laughing when he saw me looking very exhausted! Lol

I'm hoping they make a decision about Harborne/& quinton as that would be ideal for me.

Barelmy

I think I was at the same one. You in Birmingham?

I've been training since February, so I did yesterday as a free training session, for the extra time, and to get a chance to work with women. I'm the only girl in my class, and while it's helpful training with people bigger than me, women face different threats.

Wow, what are the chances!

It was at Perry Barr. I don't recognise you from your photos... were you the girl who set me flying across the room? Lol.

I think I was the only one in shorts!

It was brilliant and I am really considering joing, but the location of the classes is an issue for me as I don't want to have to travel too far.

Which class do you go to? Who's your instructor?

What's it like training with all men? I think I'd do better training in a mixed group, but I think men can be alot rougher than women.

hi.:D

I go to the two Thursday classes with Alan, the poor guy who had to wear the helmet while Steve punched him. I do two in a row, because it's a bit of a distance for me, too, so I'd rather only make the journey once.

I've never not trained with a bunch of guys (apart from yesterday) so I can't compare. Alan's very protective; every class he's like, are you okay to work with him? Can you work with him? If it helps, the two girls with the groin guards are in the Tuesday general classes (and I'm in the beginners one, for the next five weeks).

Steve was talking about setting up classes in other areas, especially since they're getting full now. You could email him and ask about your area. I know he's thinking of Edgbaston, but I forget the rest.

I might have been, I'm not sure.:o I was working with the very tall and thin dark-skinned girl, with bright red hair, on the mat to the left as you walk through the door. I was the one with a ginormous bruise on her arm.

Ha ha, I think you were the girl showing your bruise to the instructors before the session started. He offered to give you a bruise on the other arm.

It was the short haired girl with the groin guard who sent me flying. I was a little confused as to why she was wearing that... she had wrist guards too so she's probably had a few bad bruises and decided not to take any chances.

I'd probably go to Edgbaston, and do one session a week to start. My friend is one of the instructors so I'll speak to him tomorrow... and also tell him that I did see him laughing when he saw me looking very exhausted! Lol

I'm hoping they make a decision about Harborne/& quinton as that would be ideal for me.

Yeah, that was me.:D

Harbourne would work for me, too.:(

It's recommended that girls get groin guards too. It's not essential, since the men tend to rely more on upper body attacks, in my experience. But, we're generally taught to go for the groin, so it's a handy 'just-in-case' kind of thing. Once, someone tapped me there (the real attack would be grab the balls and pull down hard), and it felt *weird*. A barrier would be nice.

Which instructor?

JE55Y

Ha ha... There was alot that I didn't feel comfortable with... most of the positions, sitting on people... having people sit on me

I guess you get over that, lol.

My friend is Tom. I got to whack your instructor in the head when he was wearing that helmet, poor guy!

I may see you at Harborne then if they start a class there

Email me if you want, I'm happy to chat some more and hear about how you get on with Krav.

Barelmy

Oh, I know Tom. He's always there on a Thursday doing some one-on-one training with someone.

Sure.:) I sent you a friend's request, not sure if it went through...?

Oh, I remember my induction. Just standing in the corner, watching guy over guy file in, and realising "I'm the only girl here". Then we started by trying to kick each other in the bum. And we finished by sitting on each other and trying to choke each other. Trick is, turn your mind off and get on with it.

I try to dress plainly, and I've asked Alan to stop nodding at me when he mentions women. I figure it'll be easiest if people don't think of me as a girl. Like they know it, but it's not the obvious thing.

miovlb6

I have so been wanting to try this, but the closest place I've found to do it is about 40 minutes away. Since I was a little on the fence anyway, I let the distance keep me away, but now you've sparked my interest again. I just went to their website and it looks like they offer a free class to try it out, so now I have no excuse but to try it out. I'm going to give them a call tomorrow. Thanks for the inspiration!

I felt the same, the class I went to was a distance to drive and in heavy traffic would probably take over an hour to get to. I'm still thinking that it's too far to travel, but I could go after work which would shorten the journey...

I guess you just have to make the decision. I know how easily it is to make excuses not to do things. Go for it and let me know how you get on
Let me know if you ache as much as I do right now! Lol

So, I did my first Krav Maga class tonight and it was FANTASTIC! I know I'm going to hurt tomorrow, but right now I'm on such a high! It was a killer workout and super-fun. It was a 1-hour class and it seriously felt like 10 minutes.

I'm bummed because the place is too far from me to make this something I could do regularly. It only took me 30 minutes to get home, but on the way there I was driving through traffic and it took well over an hour. You have to pay by the month for unlimited sessions and I just don't think I'll be able to get there often enough to make it worthwhile. I'll keep looking to see if I can't find a place closer though.

Hope you guys are doing well with it!

swordsmith

I started Krav about 4 weeks ago when I started my weight loss/life style change. I formerly took TKD and Shotokan many years ago. When I decided to look for a martial art to go back too I specifically tried to find one that is more "tactical". My shooting is the same way- I train to engage and destroy a threat be it with pistol or carbine so I wanted a similar system for hand-to-hand.

I did not want pretty kata's and having to wait until one is a black belt to start hitting. Krav from day one teaches you how to defend yourself and does a MUCH better job also of teaching one how to fight when your body "gives up" (anyone done exhaustion drills yet in there KM classes?). Basically this is what I was looking for in a self defense style- my son who is a black belt is amazed at how agressive this style is as we did some light sparringt he other day and he really had trouble responding to KMs burst/attack/attack/attack methodology of fighting versus his style of hit/hit back off and assess.

I also like the fact that KM, at least my school, puts different people together for the experience. Last night my KM partner - 5' 3" female- was paired with the two 6' 4" guys (one an amatuer MMA fighter and the other a state cop on a fugitive task force) for the head lock defense and she was able to bring them to their knees by the end of the night (because you dont get to pick who attacks you!)

I do KM 4 nights a week and leave soaked every night, bruised, battered and feeling pretty damn good overall. All I have to say about KM is "oh baby where have you been all my life"

Current goal is to get to Level 2. Future goal is to become a KM instructor.

carolynhaywood

I took my first class last night and LOVED it. It's the best thing since sliced bread. It felt so good to kick and punch and feel the power my body has. I have been really stressed out lately and went I finished the class, I was a happy, stress free camper. I have boot camps scheduled until September but starting in Oct, I will be going 2-3 times a week. I can't wait!

I know I will be better fit by then after 3 months of boot camps.

I am 57, 5' tall and 26 pounds over my desired weight. By Oct, I should be in good fighting shape.

DonPendergraft

Google Moti Horenstein! Heh. It's decent and I'm sure it's great exercise. Just don't buy the hype. If it were the bee's knees, everyone in MMA would be training in it. They aren't. But go for it! Have fun and burn some calories!

craftylatvian

I so want to take classes but none are offered in my area.

swordsmith

Google Moti Horenstein! Heh. It's decent and I'm sure it's great exercise. Just don't buy the hype. If it were the bee's knees, everyone in MMA would be training in it. They aren't. But go for it! Have fun and burn some calories!

My chief instructor is an MMA fighter. MMA do not train for it because of what it is- krav is street fighting for self defense- a lot of groin strkes, gouges, and other attacks that are not MMA approved and can get you quickly DQed. Even MMA has rules which dont apply to a street fight. Our instructor does use some krav techniques but even he said not many when in the octagon as KM is not meant to be used for that style of fighting.

carolynhaywood

I'm in it for three reasons:

1. Get fit
2. Relieve stress and aggression
3. Learn how to kick someone's *kitten* - put them on the ground and immobilize them so I can walk away safely. In my opinion, if I am attacked, there are no rules. I'll kick, punch, gouge eyes, pull hair, whatever it takes to put them down.