From deciding on a discipline to finding the right gym, there are so many things to consider when you finally decide that you want to enroll in self-defense classes. Few aspects of this decision are as important as selecting the person who will become your new self-defense instructor. If you’re considering an instructor, here are seven important questions to ask before you enroll.

How Experienced Are They?

It should go without saying, but a self-defense instructor who has little to no experience as an actual teacher may not be the best choice. It’s true that everyone has to start somewhere, but you’ll have to decide how comfortable you are having a trainer who has never led a class, has never created personalized plans for students, or has never used their training in a real-life situation.

Those might sound like small details to grade someone on, but it’s worth remembering that you’ll be depending on that person to teach you the skills that will help you survive a possible attack. Consider your choice carefully.

What Programs Do They Offer?

Before you find a self-defense instructor, you’ll have to decide what discipline of self-defense you’d like to learn. From Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to Karate, there is a long list of disciplines and systems that feature self-defense techniques. You need to figure out which style is right for you.

Krav Maga was originally designed for use by regular citizens to fight invading fascists in the 1930s. It was designed strictly as a self-defense discipline that uses practical techniques. It values the efficient application of both defense and attack moves with the goal being to protect the user from assault in the safest and quickest way possible.

Settling on the discipline you want to learn is important when choosing a self-defense instructor. Krav Maga is the ultimate self-defense system because it stresses practical, simple techniques that are highly effective in real-world situations. It’s suitable for all ages and fitness levels, and it’s taught by esteemed instructors throughout North America and across the world.

Does the Instructor Have Proper Certification?

Finding a self-defense instructor with experience in the discipline you want to learn might be as simple as spending a few minutes doing an internet search. However, when you’re looking for instructors with plenty of experience in the style you want, you should make sure to check that the person is certified by a legitimate organization.

woman with boxing gloves

For Krav Maga instructors, the teacher should be certified by his or her own location and they should be in good standing with the Krav Maga Association of America. At Krav Maga Worldwide, instructors must be in good standing with the KMAA and they must also pass an 11-course KMW Instructor Certification program that will test their ability to:

  • Master and teach the techniques of Krav Maga
  • Understand the principles of Krav Maga and how to transfer this information to others
  • Provide students of Krav Maga with an efficient and powerful learning experience

Although many people might pose as a self-defense instructor and try to convince you that they can teach effective self-defense classes, there’s really no substitution for a certified, experienced Krav Maga instructor.

How Convenient Is it to Attend Class?

Apart from deciding on an appropriate discipline and an appropriate self-defense instructor, you should also consider the location of the facility when making your decision. Although it might seem strange to see this on our list, the location of a facility is an important and legitimate thing to consider. The simple fact is that the closer your facility is to your home, the more likely you are to attend class on a regular basis.

Think about it: your job, your family, and even the amount of traffic on the way to class are all very real and very important variables that might potentially pull you away from your classes. If just getting to class feels like an exhausting exercise, how likely is it that you’re going to keep at it? Choose a self-defense instructor who teaches at a facility nearby to ensure you’ll attend classes regularly.

Are There Any Reviews From Current & Former Students?

When deciding on the right self-defense instructor, it’s important to look at reviews by former and current students. This is another reason why you should consider selecting an instructor who has ample experience. Someone with little to no experience isn’t going to have much feedback on their teaching style, and that won’t help you make an informed decision.

Reading reviews on an instructor can give you insight into how they teach. You can see if the way they present new materials suits your unique style of learning, and you can see if their class environment will make you feel comfortable. If you don’t like the way an instructor teaches, you’re not going to retain as much and you’ll be less likely to continue going to the class.

Is There a Free Trial Class?

So, you’ve found a local facility with highly trained instructors and excellent online reviews. So, what’s stopping you from signing up? Learning self-defense needs to be treated like a real commitment, so it’s normal to still feel hesitant even after you’ve completed your research.

At this point, you should see if your instructor will let you have a free trial class or if they’ll allow you to observe a class before signing up. Having all the information in the world is fine, but getting a chance to sit in, watch, and maybe participate in the class that you’re considering is the ultimate way to find out if the class and the self-defense instructor are right for you.

It never hurts to ask. Remember, the worst they can tell you is no.

What Does Your Gut Tell You?

Once you’ve done your research and you’ve sat in on or attended a class, there are still some decisions that are best made by your own intuition.

Trust your gut to know if a certain place, class, or teacher is a good match for you and your goals. It’s normal to be apprehensive before agreeing to a commitment like self-defense classes, but you need to know the difference between nervous energy and your instincts telling you that a place is good or bad.

The Best Instructors Are at Krav Maga Worldwide

The self-defense instructors at Krav Maga Worldwide are some of the most talented, best prepared, and most capable teachers you will find anywhere. Thanks to KMW’s stringent requirements for instructors, you will never have to worry that the person training you isn’t experienced or committed to helping you reach your goals.

To find out more about our certified staff and to see what classes they are currently certified to teach, call today at 1-800-572-8624 or look online at https://kravmaga.com/instructor/.

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