This six-part article series provides a brief look at the various different forms of

popular martial arts, where we would have recognized them from and what we can

expect from their training.

Welcome to the fourth installment of this six-part article series on choosing the right martial arts systems to

suit your needs, goals and interests. In Part 1, 2 and 3 we looked at what New York residents can expect from

Muay Thai, kickboxing, Wing Chun and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and whether the core techniques and philosophies of

these various forms of martial arts are suitable for them. Now let’s take a look at Krav Maga, the Israeli

martial art that has taken New York by storm!

Choose the Right Martial Arts for You # 4: Krav Maga

What’s it About?

Meaning “battle contact” in Hebrew, Krav Maga is a full contact form of martial arts that originated in a war-

torn Israel. The fighting techniques taught are vicious and pivot around the concept that it’s better to neutralize

a threat with a quick and violent attack before it has a chance to attack. These techniques make full use of

every limb and every muscle, so students attending New York Krav Maga schools can expect to learn the

full suite of punching, kicking, throwing and grappling techniques. Krav Maga is about using your body, your

dexterity and physical strength to survive.

Where Have I Seen Krav Maga Before?

If you’ve watched Fight Science, which is featured on the Discovery Channel, then you have probably seen Krav

Maga in action. Additionally, elements of this atavistic and intense fighting style have seeped into many movies

nowadays, especially ones featuring espionage. If you haven’t caught Krav Maga on the screen, then you have

probably seen it advertised in the gym or seen signs for it on studio walls: it’s become a very popular form of

fitness and self-defense practice in New York.

Martial Arts Advice for New York:

How to Choose YOUR Combat Style, PART 4

What Can I Expect from Krav Maga Training?

You’re unlikely to find a more intense, whole body workout! Krav Maga demands great fitness from its

practitioners, so if you’re new to the gym, it’s best you try to go as often as possible to build muscle, strength

and co-ordination. You will also find yourself pushing your body beyond its physical limitations, as this is

almost always the case in real world situations involving danger. You only stop moving when you’re safe, not

when your muscles start aching!

There are lots of drills to be practiced, as well as staged scenarios involving attack by guns and knives. Don’t

worry, the guns aren’t real and the knives are made of rubber. Either way, you will learn how to quickly deflect

attack and/or pre-emptively counter-attack, thereby neutralizing the threat and giving you the chance to

escape.

Krav Maga is ultimately street fighting and as such, it employs any and every technique necessary for you to be

able to protect yourself and protect yourself quickly. This means that you’re allowed to fight dirty, although you

won’t be allowed to practice this in the sparring ring: eye-gouging, groin kicks, joint breaks and throttling are

all taught in Krav Maga.

Is Krav Maga for me?

Krav Maga was developed by the Israeli Defense Force as a form of street fighting for real world contexts

involving danger, so if you’re keen on suiting up with some very real and very applicable self-defense skills,

this is the martial art system of choice for you! Having said this, you need to be fit and strong and if you are

unwilling to dedicate the time to working on your body, you may find yourself falling short of your class.

You can also expect to be knocked about a bit and there is a lot of maneuvering and twisting involved. But if

self-defense is important to you and the ability to compete in tournaments (and a ripped body to boot), then

Krav Maga is certainly the martial art system of choice for you!

Stay Tuned for Part 5

Stay tuned for the fifth installment of this six-part article series to find out more about the different forms of

martial arts available to New York residents and which ones might be more suitable to you!

www.advancemartialartsconnect.com

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