When the state of Israel formed in 1948, its military, known as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), adopted its own form of self-defense and fighting system known as Krav Maga, which is taught to the IDF’s elite Israeli special forces. Krav Maga is often seen as an Israeli martial art, but it’s actually considered a self-defense system because it lacks the rules and restrictions of conduct present in traditional martial arts.

Krav Maga translates to “contact combat” in English. It uses elements of boxing, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, and wrestling among other practices, and is used by the IDF’s special forces units, which are made up of some of the most elite soldiers in the world.

Krav Maga is widely considered one of the most deadly forms of martial arts and one of the most effective ways to defend yourself. As such, learning Krav Maga like the Israeli special forces is an extremely difficult pursuit—one that requires immense mental and physical strength.

Today, many people around the world have started training like the Israel Defense Forces by learning Krav Maga. This self-defense system is a big reason why Israel’s military has become so effective. Navy SEALs, FBI agents, and SWAT teams have learned it as part of their rigorous training.

If you’re a regular person, though, you may be wondering if such an intense regimen makes sense for you. Here’s why it does:

  • It’s great exercise. The Israeli self-defense system of Krav Maga is a great way to get in shape. By practicing Krav Maga, you’ll put your body through rigorous tests, which will include cardio, strength training, and, of course, fighting and self-defense techniques. If you’re looking for a full-body workout, training like the Israeli special forces will give you that.
  • It’s sensible. Krav Maga instructors focus on preparing their students for real-world situations like bar fights, muggings, or physical and sexual assault attempts. When someone is attacked, there usually isn’t time to sit back and assess the situation before acting. That’s why Krav Maga is always fast-paced and gets you ready to think on your feet.
  • It will boost your self-esteem. Getting in better shape and learning how to defend yourself will help you feel more confident.
  • You will be safer. Most importantly, training like the Israeli special forces will improve your overall well-being. None of us know what curveballs life will throw at us tomorrow. Knowing how to protect yourself and your loved ones can save lives.

Many of our members have transformed their lives by learning the self-defense system of Krav Maga. Here’s what one of our Krav Maga Worldwide Members: Had to say:

“Rather than just training in combat, Krav Maga is a fully rounded lifestyle that is centered around observation, self-evaluation, and confidence."

“I use the skills and knowledge I gained from Krav Maga to face even non-combative struggles on a day-to-day basis. The fact is that Krav Maga is effective in real life as a way to arm yourself to succeed.”

If you would like to learn Krav Maga and start training like the Israeli special forces, here’s what you need to know and do to get started.

Get in the Right Mindset

Signing up for a normal gym membership and committing yourself to Krav Maga are two very different choices. When training like Israeli special forces, you won’t have the option to take it easy or sit back and lower the intensity for a class here and there if you don’t feel 100 percent.

Rather, you’ll be expected to give your all every time you enter the gym. Working out shouldn’t be considered a burden, but to learn Krav Maga, you must push yourself constantly and have the discipline needed to handle tough training each time you practice.

As a result, you will put your body through the wringer. You're going to get sore and tired and that can be a difficult obstacle to overcome. Those who successfully learn the Krav Maga self-defense system are mentally strong enough to push through the pain and difficult days and keep going.

Do Lots of Preparation

Before starting Krav Maga it’s a good idea to learn a little bit about Israeli special forces training, the history, the techniques, its applications, its modern-day variations. Doing your research will make it easier to absorb instruction once you enter the gym.

While you need an instructor, you can start to get yourself in shape before beginning Krav Maga. Given how physically taxing this form of martial arts can be, it would be wise to do a lot of cardio as you prepare to get started. Weight training would help, too, as would a healthy nutrition plan.

Set Your Goals

Each person who practices Krav Maga—from soldiers to kids and everyone in between—has specific results in mind. Before getting started with physical training, consider what you hope to gain by learning Krav Maga. Do you want to become a soldier or work in law enforcement? Do you want to lose weight? Maybe you’re determined to learn the self-defense techniques needed to protect yourself.

Determining your objectives will set you on the path to success, help you get the most out of your time, and give you the sense of accomplishment you seek.

Find Specialized Training That Makes Sense for You

Once you’ve written down the reasons why you want to begin training like the Israeli special forces, it’s time to figure out how to reach those goals. At Krav Maga Worldwide, we make that process easy by offering specialized classes, including:

Find the Best Instructors

Some Krav Maga techniques of the Israeli special forces can be practiced from home, but an instructor is needed to truly learn martial arts. Additionally, if you are just getting started, you need an expert to help you develop proper form and avoid serious injury. At Krav Maga Worldwide, we have the top-notch teachers you need to get in shape and start training like Israeli special forces.

Your journey starts when you contact a Krav Maga Worldwide training center today.

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