FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
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1. How is Krav Maga different from combat sports (MMA, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Sanda, etc.) or martial arts (Kung Fu, Wushu, Karate, Taekwondo, Judo, etc.)?
Krav Maga is not a competitive/combat sport or martial art. The goal of Krav Maga is to become able to protect yourself and others when facing a real threat or violent confrontation. So it is not about lasting several rounds in front of an opponent in the ring. Therefore krav Maga training is about preparing your body and your mind so you can successfully deal with a real aggression or a threat in the street. As such, Krav Maga training focuses on realistic scenarios and attacks, developing the self-defense mindset, and developing the skills you need to survive an attack.
2. How long will it take for me to become proficient at Krav Maga?
Krav Maga, unlike most of the martial arts, is a very fast-progressing system. This is because Krav Maga was developed to deal with realistic attacks. Therefore Krav Maga focuses on learning and practicing effective techniques in realistic training. Part of its design was driven by the need to train people very quickly and very efficiently so they can use their skills in the battlefield. Consequently, it typically takes a person of average physical ability perhaps only several months before significant progress is achieved and noticeable. The fundamental idea in Krav Maga is that you can learn something usable in weeks or months, not years.
3. I have heard that Krav Maga is a violent system, is it true?
Krav Maga is not a violent system, not more that Karate or Judo and much less than Muay Thai or MMA for intense.
Most of Krav Maga practitioners around the world are against violence but because an aggression is always violent, we need to train so we can deal with it successfully. Krav Maga training is intense but it is not violent and it is done under the control of a qualified instructor.
4. Do I risk getting hurt in training?
Krav Maga is as safe as any other martial arts form. The chances of being injured during a class are as remote and even less than for many other sport. Like in any sport accident can happen but the risk is limited. The training is done under the guidance of a qualified instructor who primary objective is SAFETY IN TRAINING.
5. What do I need to bring to class? What should I wear?
Footwear: Wear sneakers or training shoes. No-barefoot. Indoor training shoes are preferred, since we try to keep the dojo clean.
Clothing: Comfortable exercise clothes are fine, but it would be best to wear t-shirts. For women, avoid low-cut tops. Also, avoid very short shorts. Some of the techniques require aggressive movement on the floor or grabbing and pulling, so you may either end up with mat burns on your shoulders or legs (very painful!).
Protective gears: It is recommended to wear a mouth guard (protective gear for the mouth) so you limit the risk of getting hurt. For men, use a groin guard (protective gear). If you don't have one or don't know what brand to get, ask our instructors about it. We can give you advices about the most appropriate protective gears.
Also, you will need water, a towel, and a change of clothes.
6. What are the classes like? How are they structured?
All classes start with an appropriate warm-up session. Then the class is structured so that we start the hour with basic movements that are built up and combined into a full technique or series of techniques. Also, while we strive to make each session unique, we will always go back to techniques, because repetition is necessary to learning.
7. Are the classes good for people who want to lose weight and get fit?
Definitely yes! Krav Maga training is good to get back in shape or improve your fitness. Training Krav Maga regularly will help you build muscle and loose fat. But Krav Maga is not meant to be a fitness class, the aim of Krav Maga is self-defense, fitness is just a positive byproduct of it.
8. I've never done any kind of martial arts or combat sports before. How do I start?
You don't need to have previous experience in martial arts or combat sports to learn Krav Maga. All you need is the willingness to work hard, and the open-mindedness to learn the techniques and develop the self-defense attitude. It is not always easy at the beginning but it is always rewarding. It can really change your life!
9. I'm a small person with little strength. What good is Krav Maga to me?
Krav Maga was designed to benefit the average person. The system is not about sheer strength or power. In fact, one of the basic tenets of Krav Maga is that one should not oppose power with power. Rather, Krav Maga blends a combination of physical skill with mental self-defense determination. Consequently, Krav Maga is more accessible to people of any sex, shape or size than many other martial art forms.
10. I've done Kung Fu/Wushu/Sanda/Karate/Taekwondo/MMA/Jiu-jitsu/Muay Thai/kickboxing. How do I start?
While previous martial arts/combat sport experience is always a plus, it also means you may need to adjust. Unlike other combat forms, Krav Maga is not a competitive/combat sport or martial art, nor is it for performance. The goal of Krav Maga is practical and realistic personal protection and surviving an attack (typically by multiple opponents who have the upper hand). If you want to really learn Krav Maga, you will need self-discipline, control, open-mindedness, humility, patience, and respect.
Krav Maga is not a competitive/combat sport or martial art. The goal of Krav Maga is to become able to protect yourself and others when facing a real threat or violent confrontation. So it is not about lasting several rounds in front of an opponent in the ring. Therefore krav Maga training is about preparing your body and your mind so you can successfully deal with a real aggression or a threat in the street. As such, Krav Maga training focuses on realistic scenarios and attacks, developing the self-defense mindset, and developing the skills you need to survive an attack.
2. How long will it take for me to become proficient at Krav Maga?
Krav Maga, unlike most of the martial arts, is a very fast-progressing system. This is because Krav Maga was developed to deal with realistic attacks. Therefore Krav Maga focuses on learning and practicing effective techniques in realistic training. Part of its design was driven by the need to train people very quickly and very efficiently so they can use their skills in the battlefield. Consequently, it typically takes a person of average physical ability perhaps only several months before significant progress is achieved and noticeable. The fundamental idea in Krav Maga is that you can learn something usable in weeks or months, not years.
3. I have heard that Krav Maga is a violent system, is it true?
Krav Maga is not a violent system, not more that Karate or Judo and much less than Muay Thai or MMA for intense.
Most of Krav Maga practitioners around the world are against violence but because an aggression is always violent, we need to train so we can deal with it successfully. Krav Maga training is intense but it is not violent and it is done under the control of a qualified instructor.
4. Do I risk getting hurt in training?
Krav Maga is as safe as any other martial arts form. The chances of being injured during a class are as remote and even less than for many other sport. Like in any sport accident can happen but the risk is limited. The training is done under the guidance of a qualified instructor who primary objective is SAFETY IN TRAINING.
5. What do I need to bring to class? What should I wear?
Footwear: Wear sneakers or training shoes. No-barefoot. Indoor training shoes are preferred, since we try to keep the dojo clean.
Clothing: Comfortable exercise clothes are fine, but it would be best to wear t-shirts. For women, avoid low-cut tops. Also, avoid very short shorts. Some of the techniques require aggressive movement on the floor or grabbing and pulling, so you may either end up with mat burns on your shoulders or legs (very painful!).
Protective gears: It is recommended to wear a mouth guard (protective gear for the mouth) so you limit the risk of getting hurt. For men, use a groin guard (protective gear). If you don't have one or don't know what brand to get, ask our instructors about it. We can give you advices about the most appropriate protective gears.
Also, you will need water, a towel, and a change of clothes.
6. What are the classes like? How are they structured?
All classes start with an appropriate warm-up session. Then the class is structured so that we start the hour with basic movements that are built up and combined into a full technique or series of techniques. Also, while we strive to make each session unique, we will always go back to techniques, because repetition is necessary to learning.
7. Are the classes good for people who want to lose weight and get fit?
Definitely yes! Krav Maga training is good to get back in shape or improve your fitness. Training Krav Maga regularly will help you build muscle and loose fat. But Krav Maga is not meant to be a fitness class, the aim of Krav Maga is self-defense, fitness is just a positive byproduct of it.
8. I've never done any kind of martial arts or combat sports before. How do I start?
You don't need to have previous experience in martial arts or combat sports to learn Krav Maga. All you need is the willingness to work hard, and the open-mindedness to learn the techniques and develop the self-defense attitude. It is not always easy at the beginning but it is always rewarding. It can really change your life!
9. I'm a small person with little strength. What good is Krav Maga to me?
Krav Maga was designed to benefit the average person. The system is not about sheer strength or power. In fact, one of the basic tenets of Krav Maga is that one should not oppose power with power. Rather, Krav Maga blends a combination of physical skill with mental self-defense determination. Consequently, Krav Maga is more accessible to people of any sex, shape or size than many other martial art forms.
10. I've done Kung Fu/Wushu/Sanda/Karate/Taekwondo/MMA/Jiu-jitsu/Muay Thai/kickboxing. How do I start?
While previous martial arts/combat sport experience is always a plus, it also means you may need to adjust. Unlike other combat forms, Krav Maga is not a competitive/combat sport or martial art, nor is it for performance. The goal of Krav Maga is practical and realistic personal protection and surviving an attack (typically by multiple opponents who have the upper hand). If you want to really learn Krav Maga, you will need self-discipline, control, open-mindedness, humility, patience, and respect.
