Krav Maga anyone?

[Magelet]

I took a trial class and REALLY want to join the local krav maga center, because I LOVED it. but it is so expensive, so I'm trying to figure out how/if I can afford it.

anyways, anyone else do krav maga?

[orangewallflower]

I just heard about it for the first time last week. Can you describe it?

[Magelet]

It's an israeli self defense combat.

The beginner class I took was 1 hour, and like this:
We started with jogging, and climbing the ropes and doing the monkey bars interspersed (not jogging in a circle, but jogging wherever which is actually way more interesting). A couple of times, the instructor had us stop and do squats, push ups and/or sit ups, then keep going. We ran from one end of the room to the other, and then lunge walked it a few times. We had to lift up a partner of the same size and do lunge thingys, and a few other strength things. I couldn't lift my partner, so the instructor gave me a modified exercise that worked a similar set of muscles, after letting me work them by trying for a few sets.

Then we learned and practiced in the mirror, and then with a partner and pads, basic stances, punches, kneeing, and kicks.

Then we jogged a bit more.

After that, we did this stress drill on the punches knees and kicks. Everyone except one person took a big pad/blocker, and "attacked" the one without with them, tapping him/her and holding the pad to punch, knee or kick, different positions indicating which to do. While you do this, everyone is wacking you with heavy pads in a circle while you try to punch and kick the pads.

I only took one class, but I LOVED it. It was the most intense workout I've ever had. (I used to be in really good shape, and do REALLY hard workouts, but now I've been fairly inactive for a couple years, so this was far harder than 3 hours of ballet used to be.) I felt I could in no way keep going, but something about the class format/instructor/etc made me keep going, and discover that I could do 40 squats, though I didn't think I could. I could keep jogging though I didn't think I could.

It is designed to be very effective self defense and learnable quickly. Its taught in the Israeli army, and a lot of police forces have adopted it now. The class did seem like you would actually be able to defend yourself quickly as well. In addition, it was the first time in years I found "exercise" fun. I love to dance, but I haven't managed to get my butt to a dance class. This though, was amazing.

[dogmom327]

That sounds awesome. Any idea on the cost (or how it compares to a gym membership)?

[Magelet]

I know here in berkeley, ca (pretty high COL), it's $115 a month, with a family discount (but it's still per person with the discount.) They also have a student discount and law enforcement discount here.

I think it might be comparable to a gym membership, as i know in high school in San Francisco, a student gym membership was $90 a month...

For the membership, you can take any of the classes that you are skilled enough for, (they don't do levels persay like many martial arts, but they periodically have level tests, just to make sure you aren't taking classes over your deptch.) they have a level 1 class every single day of the week, or even sometimes two. They also have several other classes anyone can take: cross-training, cardio, kettlebell, grappling, fight training. As well as a small gym (treadmill, weight machines, probably free weights and a few other things) that you can use any time they are open.

That's at the location near us. (btw, there are 2 national organizations. I thought I would have to go kinda far to take a class, as I didn't realize there were 2 organizations, and the one that's website I looked for associated schools didn't have a school in our city, but 45 minutes away. the other organization though does have an affiliated school.)

[dogmom327]

Thank you!