Why Should I Take Fitness Classes When I Just Want Self-Defense?

One of my instructors, Ryan Hoover, put it best: “Fit people are harder to kill.” 

That alone should answer the question. If you are stronger you can fight harder; if you can fight harder you can protect yourself better. That’s not the whole story though. Krav Maga classes are a great workout on their own, but everything is directed towards self-defense. So if we do pushups in a Krav class it’s not to make you stronger or better at pushups, it’s to wear your arms out so that when you punch, you have to fight through the fatigue and push yourself to keep going. 

To improve your base strength, general conditioning, mobility and stability, etc, fitness classes are going to do a better job. Krav classes - like any activity - work the body asymmetrically. Your back leg is going to work harder, those muscles will get stronger and probably tighter, and that ankle will take more strain. Fitness classes help you balance your body, and also find issues that you can correct before they get dire. 

Fitness classes let you train at your own pace. Although that’s something we encourage in every class, there’s no denying that in Krav, the point is to push you. And that push is important for self-defense, but sometimes it’s just not what you need that day. Fitness classes are also a great way to train when you have an injury. Sometimes - VERY RARELY! - you need to avoid Krav classes while something heals; but if you can stand (or sit or lie down) we can find a way for you to work out. 

Finally and broadly, if you started doing Krav Maga, it’s because you want a safer life. That includes being safe from injury, safe from high blood pressure, safe from weak bones and joints, safe from heart disease… A lot of the danger we face is from our own bodies, and general fitness training protects us. Whether it’s a once-a-week supplement, or your main focus, there are only benefits to adding fitness classes to your program.