Unlike Kung Fu and Karate, Krav Maga is a form of self-defence that you might not have heard of before. It is the official hand to hand combat system and art of self-defence in Israel.
Contrary to other self-defence and martial arts, there aren’t any competitions held for proficiency in Krav Maga. The basis of this form of self-defence was developed in the 1930s and since then, it has evolved quite a bit and has been refined to be used in the real world by the general public and police forces, as well as the military.
So if you are considering learning this form of self-defence, there are certain things you should know before you begin.
Krav Maga can be practised by anyone
Although Krav Maga is practised by those in the military and officials of law enforcement, this martial art is designed to suit everyone, irrespective of their expertise in fighting.
When you first sign up for a class, expect to see people from different walks of life and varying age groups, including women both young and old. You will find that many women are drawn to Krav Maga due to its effectiveness in self-defence.
Prepare yourself to work hard and be consistent
As is the case with any martial art, Krav Maga is very demanding and challenging, both mentally and physically. You will sweat profusely and will be toeing your limits more often than you perhaps realise.
In the beginning, your system will take a bit of time to adjust to the shock but with constant practice, you will eventually get used to it. It will take some time but you will notice that both your mind and body will adapt to this new pattern of fitness training.
Of course, to be committed is very important so that you can see results in real time. Attend your class regularly and keep at it to get better with every passing day.
Expect to walk away with bruises
With every martial art that you practice, you’re bound to sustain minor injuries and Krav Maga isn’t any different. This becomes even more probable in a class setting where you’re constantly on the move with people around you practising the same techniques.
It is obvious that in your training course and practising moves on your partner (and vice versa), you will experience a few minor injuries here and there – and you will have the bruises to show for it.
Like we mentioned earlier, it will certainly require some getting used to and eventually you will appreciate your bruises as you advance in the art of Krav Maga.
The effects of your training will reflect on other aspects of your life
As you make progress in Krav Maga, you will have more confidence in your abilities elsewhere. You will feel more focused and sure of yourself as you go on about dealing with people and the problems in your life.
You will have a more positive outlook and you will feel more able to succeed, which will make you do better in both your personal and professional life.
Be a team player
You can’t be the lone wolf when you practice Krav Maga. Instead, you have to work on being a team player irrespective of the level that your partner is at. You will be forced to work and accomplish tasks together during your classes.
Don’t be a snob by trying to impress others with tactics you might know, as your partner might not quite be there yet. Do your bit to help others in your team, to push them to give their best and to reach their fitness goals, just like you.
Be a part of the community
As you continue training, you will get better to the point where you can start assisting in classes. This way, you will be able to establish a strong bond with your instructors, as well as your fellow team members.
When you spend so much time doing this, the people around you become an intrinsic part of who you are. You might start hanging out with them outside of class and even stay in touch enough to grab dinner and drinks every now and again.
Respect every person you come across, be it your instructors, the people from the class or strangers you come across in the street. When it comes down to it, being good to others is what counts.
If you feel that you need to be a bit more prepared before you sign up for the class, you can look into getting a personal trainer in Moorgate on board.
