At this point in my Krav Maga training, I have been to two gyms: one on the west coast and one in the south. If you go to a certified Krav Maga gym, the class should be pretty similar to what I describe here. However, this description is based on my experiences and should be viewed as such.

Learning Krav Maga can be a stressful situation to walk into. By learning the general organization of a class, you’ll be more prepared to kick some butt!

So! Without further ado, you walk into class and then…

Cardio. Everyone spreads out for the beginning cardio workout. This can be virtually anything to get your heart rate up and your body loose, including (but not limited to) jumping jacks, squats, push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, burpees, jogging, walking squats, jumping squats, etc.

The intensity of the cardio differs between instructors. If you’re new or out of shape, this could be one of the hardest parts of the class, because it’s all out. 100%.

I’ve also noticed that some cardio is more difficult based on your own personal strengths and weaknesses. (For me, squats were invented specifically for torture purposes, but core strengthening exercises tend to be a little easier.)

Stretch. This is pretty straight-forward and it usually doesn’t involve anything unusual.

Bow in. The only ritual in Krav Maga is to stand in a line and bow into and out of every class. If there are multiple instructors in class, they’ll bow to each other first and then you’ll bow to your instructors.

Strikes. Your instructor will demonstrate a strike (punches, kicks, etc.), both slowly and in “real” time. He or she will describe what they’re doing, why they’re doing it that way, and possible application for that strike. Then you and a partner will take turns practicing on punching bags, kick shields, tombstones (punch shields), or focus mitts. Some classes, you may only learn two new strikes and some classes you may learn three or four.

Drill. Once both you and your partner have practiced the technique of the strike, the instructor will direct you to go all out against the pad. These drills are meant to exhaust you. Tip: From my experience, the harder you go during these drills, the less time you’ll spend doing them.

If you will be learning more strikes, the instructor will once again demonstrate the new strike and then you’ll run through another drill with it. Sometimes, instructors will skip individual drills until they’ve taught you all the strikes. Then they’ll run a drill that incorporates them all. No, these drills are not easier.

Self-defense. Now, you’ll learn a defense (chokes, headlocks, etc.) that employs the strikes you’ve just learned. Once again, your instructor will demonstrate the defense slowly and in real time. Depending on the defense, you may practice it “dry” (without a partner) in the mirror. Then you and your partner will slowly walk through the defense together, eventually working up to a faster and more intense speed.

Your instructor will probably emphasize how to safely, but effectively practice these defenses. You want to practice the defense as if you were actually being attacked, but you don’t want to hurt your partner in the process. Here are some tips on how to be a good Krav Maga partner.

Defense drills. In the last few minutes of class, you will practice the defense in a higher stress situation. This includes being attacked when you have your eyes closed, lights off, music blaring, etc.

Bow out. Once the drill is over, your instructor(s) will ask if anyone has any questions and then you will bow out of class. This is exactly like bowing into class.

Again, this is a basic outline of most of the classes I’ve been to. It may differ from the gym you go to, but if it’s a certified Krav Maga gym, it should look pretty similar! Let me know if you have any questions in the comments section, so everyone can benefit from them! I’d be particularly interested to see if classes differ at your gym!

Happy kraving!

When Chris and I moved here in August we didn’t know anyone in the area except family. Which means we didn’t have any nearby friends. It’s been a pretty lonely period of time. Don’t get me wrong! I love hangin’ out with Chris, but it’s also nice to have other friends too.

As soon as we moved, we started hunting for a good Krav Maga gym. We were both bound and determined to start getting into better shape. Not to mention the obvious benefits of learning self-defense.

Little did we know how spectacular our gym is. They organize all kinds of events, including ones that aren’t in any way related to self-defense, fitness, or martial arts. A few weeks ago, one of the instructors held a Halloween party at his house. Everyone dressed up in ridiculous costumes, so we were able to get a sense of people’s creativity and humor pretty quickly.

Just last weekend, Chris and I met up with a bunch of people at a local bar for the UFC fight between Couture and Lesnar. After the fight, we sat around talking about everything from the state of the financial world to movies.

By participating in these other organized events, we’ve started making new friends relatively easily. We can be (admittedly) pretty socially awkward when it comes to meeting new people. You never know what kind of a sense of humor other people have or if they have similar interests…

But luckily, we already know we have at least one thing in common! In the end, talking about things like our day jobs and interests seem like one of the least stressful and awkward things ever.

There are some pretty obvious positive results in going to Krav Maga: you learn self-defense and you get into shape. On the other hand, you may walk out of your gym with a whole handful of new friends.

And if your gym doesn’t offer this kind of community, tell them it’s something you’d like to see incorporated! They could host holiday parties, fight nights, 5k runs, bar-b-q’s… the list goes on.

Next week, I’ll post some more unseen benefits to Krav Maga!

I partnered up with another guy tonight. He didn’t have much of a choice. I nod over to him “You got a partner.” “No.” Wanna partner up?” For a split second, he had a look of “ugh… a girl.” And I’ll have to admit, I don’t blame him. I’m sure I don’t look like I’d do a whole lot…

About halfway through class, he says to me “How long have you been coming to Krav?” “Since July,” I tell him. “I can tell you aren’t new, because of your open hand strikes.”

I’ll have to admit, I beamed a little with pride.

We practiced front chokes with a pluck/openhand strike combination again. As we were practicing the front choke defenses, my partner would throw knees to my face by pulling my neck down, gaining absolute control. I was instantly interested in what we were doing differently. When he would follow up a defense with an attack, he’d wrap his hand around my neck after he got me doubled over, simultaneously driving his knee up and pushing his hand (and my neck) down. As soon as I tried it, I could feel the difference. It was glorious.

After class, Chris and I were standing around talking about what we’d just learned when we noticed the instructors teaching another student how to get out of a head lock. We wandered over and watched as Mt got out of a headlock from M, a guy who’s taller, bigger, and stronger than pretty much anyone I know.

From my understanding, when someone comes in to choke you, you drop your chin into their side (biting if necessary) and simultaneously step around in front of them creating a solid, wide base. This also keeps your attacker from beating the crap out of your face. Their weak knuckles against your hard head equals a headache for you and broken fingers for them. As you step, you simultaneously slap their groin with your front hand, bringing your back hand up to grab their face. Snap your elbow into their spine and drop your elbow down to your waist. There’s nothing they can do, except go straight down.

Again, I can’t stress how important it is to have really great teachers. Mt and M are awesome for staying those extra few minutes to show us these techniques.

Classes designed for both level 1 and level 2 students are harder than classes designed for just level 1 students. At least, that’s what it felt like.

I don’t usually go to the Thursday 1/2 level classes, but since I’ve missed several classes the last two weeks, I thought I’d go in for some make-up time. I was also curious to see if it would be harder than what I’m used to.

I won’t say it was harder, but it was definitely a little more intense. D had us really work.

It was a roller coaster ride of kicks. Straight kicks, GO! Roundhouse kicks, GO! Knees! Advancing straight kicks! Squatting straight kicks! Yes, you heard that correctly. You squat down low and when you come up, you throw a straight kick. Ugh. My favorite. Squats.

Right kick. Squat.
Left kick. Squat.
Right kick. Squat.
Left kick. Squat.

I got rocked.

At the end of class, D presented us with the idea of advantage. When you’re fighting someone and trying to get them off you, it’s a good idea to put yourself in the best advantage possible. Which sounds like a no-brainer, but I think this is especially important for women, because we’re (generally) up against bigger and stronger opponents. If you can do anything to make the fight swing your way, do it. So when he started talking about the importance of building up advantage, I immediately perked up.

When you’re standing face-to-face with someone, you each have the same number of operating weapons (arms, legs, head, etc). When you stand facing their side (perpendicular to their body), they have only half their weapons (the side of their body facing you), while you still have all your own. When you stand behind them, you have all your weapons and your opponent has much less, including the ability of sight.

Now when I’m defending, I’ll be trying to maneuver myself into a position where I have the upper hand. I think it’s something they stress in higher level classes when you start sparring. And if they don’t, they should.

Okay, I don’t want to come off as one of those crazy girls (it may be too late, I can’t tell), but is anyone else planning on watching the UFC fight this Saturday between Couture and Lesnar?

This is one of those really weird habits I’ve picked up since going to Krav. I’ve started watching mixed martial arts on TV. Last week, my boyfriend’s little brother caught me flipping between Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making the Team on CMT and a MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fight on Spike TV. Believe me, I know… I’m a weird one.

I can pick up on moves I’ve been learning in class and it makes it all more real for me. Almost like when you start learning a new language. You get excited when you’re able to pick out phrases between two native speakers. Does that make any sense?

Anyway, they’re saying this fight between Couture and Lesnar is going to be huge. Like one of the biggest fights in MMA history. From my understanding, Couture is the current heavyweight UFC Champion…

Lesnar is a big guy. That’s an understatement like saying “the ocean is kinda big.” He’s a monster of a guy with fists the size of an SUV. He’s big. But what makes him dangerous is he’s fast too. Most guys his size are much slower. They sort of lumber about swinging like an old oak tree, but not Lesnar. You give him a nanosecond to take over and he will.

Couture is a really solid fighter too. He’s not as big as Lesnar, but what makes him dangerous is he’s a smart fighter. He can wear down an opponent, figure out what their weaknesses are, and then take full advantage of them. And he apparently works best when he’s the underdog. Oh, and he’s the only fighter to have ever won the UFC Heavyweight Championship three times. Yeah, that’s not a typo… I said three.

So… yeah. This should be one hell of a fight. Chris and I will probably be joining some people from our gym at a local bar to watch it. I can’t wait!