Are you more interested in Krav Maga than ever? This hybrid discipline, based on the principles of various combat sports, combines a number of techniques to help deal with any attack. Whether you’re an amateur or have a solid grounding in any martial art, it’s easy to get started!

What do we know about this combat approach?

Derived from the Hebrew word for “close combat“, it is defined more as a method of self-defense than as a category of martial art. In fact, he draws most of his principles from it, drawing on techniques from boxing, Muay Thai, MMA, jiu-jitsu and Karate…

It is divided into two main parts:

• Self-defence: the basis of this approach to combat. The objective? Enable initiates to counter attacks, defeat an assailant and avoid injury in the process, through mixed techniques. The self-defense section enables you to defend yourself in any position (standing, sitting, lying down…).
• Hand-to-hand combat: this phase is reserved for the most advanced practitioners. The training received at this level helps to neutralize an opponent quickly and effectively. It includes combat attributes such as feints, combat psychology, combining different attacks, tactics… It also enables you to handle violent altercations under stress and strengthen your mind.

Why take Krav Maga?

The benefits of this approach extend beyond those of a simple martial art. Krav Maga is now considered a sporting technique. A staggering number of people take the plunge every year – why shouldn’t you? Here are a few reasons why you might want to take the plunge…

It is accessible to all

Whatever your physical abilities, anyone can learn to position themselves to deal proportionately with an attack. Whether you’re round, thin, fast, slow, short or tall… it doesn’t matter! Teaching is tailored to each individual.

Contrary to popular belief, this is not an exclusively male activity – quite the contrary. Statistics show that most new members are women.

It’s a great way to let off steam

Did you know that too much energy or stress can alter your mood and behavior? To regulate this excess and learn to channel it, Krav Maga offers you a legal and unrestricted framework. You’re sure to become a master of stress management.

Your safety is your concern!

Before being a sporting technique, it is first and foremost a system of self-defense, and one of the most effective. Hence the interest shown by some enthusiasts, particularly women. Once you’ve assimilated the various lessons, you’ll have a wider choice of how to ensure your own safety, no matter how strong your opponent.

Do you know the history of the world’s most popular defense system?

As mentioned above, the name “Krav Maga” is of Hebrew origin. Its inventor too! In fact, this art form originated in the State of Israel in the 30s, thanks to Imi Lichtenfeld, in a context where knowing how to defend oneself was paramount. Originally, the techniques taught were intended exclusively for the Israeli army. They were later extended to all the Hebrew state’s security forces.

Its adaptation for civilian use would be carried out much later by Imi Lichtenfeld’s right-hand man, Eyal Yanilov. This self-defense discipline is just as suited to the needs of the army as it is to those of men, women and children wishing to learn how to defend themselves in the event of aggression.

It denies being a martial art and reinvents itself over the years. Today, Krav Maga is defined as a modern, realistic method, characterized by a logical, practical approach.

What are the benefits?

This discipline has all the benefits of an all-round sport. ! It relies on instinctive reactions: everything is designed to make it easy to learn and execute. Krav Maga benefits :

Physical fitness

As well as requiring strategy, it’s a fairly physical activity. Each session is divided into three phases: warm-up, training and exercises. So it’s pretty clear that with every self-defense class you’ll be expending energy and burning fat.

You’ll be doing squats, push-ups, sprints and a host of other exercises to prepare you for certain movements. Once you’ve established a regular training schedule, you’ll become more toned and physically fit.

Coordination

Mental imagery exercises of techniques involving the leg-fist movements you’ll be facing will help youimprove your coordination.

Stress

Regular training will have a channelling effect on your permanent state of stress.

Self-confidence

Thanks to this fighting method, you’ll gain greater confidence in your abilities.

Cardio

Thanks to the intensity of the physical activities to be performed, the sessions will help you develop your cardio efficiently.

The balance

Working on the basic positions will strengthen your leg tone and develop your confidence in your body’s stability, as well as your ability to avoid falls.

How a session unfolds

Depending on the club and the content of each program, adult courses generally last between 1 and 2 hours. These can be private or group lessons. In any case, every session begins with a greeting ceremony. Derived from classic martial arts clubs, this is a symbolism used to signal the start of the class.

The second phase is thewarm-up phase. In 15 or 25 minutes, you’ll go through a series of skill exercises and dodging games using Krav Maga gloves… This is followed by a muscle-strengthening sequence designed not only to strengthen the body, but also the mind.

The session ends with a technical self-defense course, followed by a hand-to-hand confrontation. Using simple movements (mainly with bare hands), you will learn assiduously and intensively how to ward off any physical aggression while avoiding possible injuries. Your instructors will put you in every possible situation of aggression (armed or unarmed). Your training partner will be equipped withKrav Maga weapons (dummy or otherwise), so that you can confront a situation of real danger.

At what age can you start practicing Krav Maga?

Once again, as a reminder, this is not a discipline for big, burly guys. Logically, it was created to give everyone the means to learn how to defend themselves. So it’s accessible to everyone: men, women and children.

However, the age range is only prescribed according to the courses offered by each organization. The minimum age may therefore vary. Although, in most training centers, this is between 8 and 12 years of age.