Five Key Benefits of Krav Maga
Whilst beginners may feel hesitant or intimidated by the idea of learning Krav Maga and wonder “Is Krav Maga for me?”, those who have experience in martial arts or combat sports may think to themselves: “How is Krav Maga different and will it benefit me?
Krav Maga, which means “contact combat” in Hebrew, is a military self-defence and fighting system developed by Imi Lichtenfeld for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and Israeli security forces. It has since been adapted and refined for civilian training with a focus on real-world situations.
Incorporating street-fighting skills with a wide combination of techniques from a variety of martial arts sources (Boxing, Jiu Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Judo, Kickboxing, etc.), it is the most efficient and devastating self defence system in the world. Through Krav Maga you can learn how to debilitate attackers quickly, defend yourself in a variety of attacks, deal with knives and other weapons, survive in a fight on the ground, and much more.
Is Krav Maga for me? Krav Maga is accessible and suitable for ALL ages and skill levels. This is because it is based on simple and reflexive moves that work even in stressful or high-pressure situations. The skills are also flexible, which means you can adapt them to your abilities and limitations (because of injury, flexibility, size, strength, physical shape, etc.) as an individual.
How will learning Krav Maga benefit me?
There’s a long list of excellent benefits on many levels, but here are a few key ones:
1. Awareness
Awareness is the first layer of self-defence. Krav Maga encompasses so much more than fighting skills and fitness. It teaches you situational awareness. This involves being actively aware of what is happening around you, knowing which neighbourhoods or venues to avoid, understanding body language or criminal behaviour to anticipate potential threats. You will also gain conflict management and de-escalation skills to reduce incidence of violence as soon as you become aware of a threat. Awareness also includes legal and medical knowledge that will protect you, your family and friends.
2. Confidence
Scared to walk on the streets at night? Worried you won’t be able to react if someone threatened you with a knife? Krav Maga is about making people feel safer and stronger, which translates into confidence. We’re talking about a quiet and humble kind of confidence here, not arrogance. The skills and knowledge you gain from learning Krav Maga will enable you to handle dangerous situations or potential threats. Knowing that you are equipped to fight back in such circumstances will help you to feel calm and in control rather than victimized. It raises your self-esteem and gives you a solid sort of confidence.
3. Effective Self Defence Skills
Krav Maga is designed to be highly efficient and effective. It was developed based on simple and natural movements so it can be learned quickly and applied even under the extreme stress of an attack or fight. Easy to learn, easy to use, easy to remember. You will learn to protect yourself, fight back and survive any kind of real-world physical aggression or threat, even if your opponent is bigger and stronger than you are. Be it with strikes, kicks or eye-gouging and biting. Be it with or without weapons, by single or multiple attackers, or in different environments.
4. Mental health and Mindset
Regular physical activity is one of the best ways to improve mental health, manage stress, and reduce your risk of anxiety or depression. But beyond improving mental health, Krav Maga changes your mindset. Switch out victim mode for survival mode. If the elevator doors open and someone appears on the other side with a knife, your first reaction will be to find a solution rather than to think of yourself as a helpless victim. Krav Maga will transform the way you view combat and physical confrontation, help you to manage the psychological impact of violence, and enable you to remain calm so you can react under pressure. The nature of Krav Maga will also help you to build grit, resilience and perseverance even in the face of challenges, which would apply to other aspects of daily life too.
5. Improve Physical Fitness
Krav Maga training will improve your overall physical fitness. The training is diverse and dynamic, allowing you to become physically well-rounded and balanced. From drills to practice skills, to the improvement of balance, flexibility and coordination. It will also condition your body against the physiological impact of violence, developing your muscular strength, endurance and explosive power.
The full list of benefits looks much longer, but these are the five key benefits that you can expect to gain from Krav Maga training. The bottom line: Krav Maga will benefit you because it teaches you how to look after yourself, your family, and your friends using a particular set of skills that few people have.
Copyright 2022, Spartans Academy of Krav Maga. All right reserved.
