Krav Maga is the deadliest martial art one can learn. However, it has more benefits to offer the trainee, such as self-confidence and plenty more. Because of that, training in it is more valuable than what the average person thinks.
The following list is the benefits one can expect from training in Krav Maga.
- Better physical shape
- Better performance under stress
- Improved mental health
- Better awareness
- Improved aggressiveness
- Better reaction time
- increased self-confidence
- Higher pain tolerance
- Being independent
- Knowing self-defense
By no means is martial arts the magic workout that’ll grant you all your wishes. Yet, with consistency, dedication, and hard work, one can expect to experience these benefits in some way or another.
From personal experience, I was affected by all of the above at some point in my Krav Maga journey. Because of that, I’m the person I’m today. It has built me to the point where I can achieve many feats in my life.
Your age, gender, or other external factors, don’t matter. Training in Krav Maga is for everyone, and It’ll genuinely change your life. Experiencing these benefits isn’t limited and is solely by the amount of effort you’re putting into the training. Mentally and physically.
1. Better physical shape
Today, improving your physical shape is highly desirable. Consequently, knowing how to do so is valuable. Training in martial arts is a suitable way not only to lose weight but also to build muscle.
According to a study conducted in April of 2019, Krav Maga is an intense workout that burns 616 calories an hour on average. As a result, losing weight and decreasing body fat goes hand-in-hand with martial arts training. (ACE)
“. . . exercisers can expect a moderateto-vigorous intensity workout that teaches self-defense techniques while simultaneously providing a full-body workout.”
Dr. Porcari
Because Krav Maga training works on many muscle groups in the human body, it burns more calories than the average workout. Additionally, the average heart rate in training is 151 beats/minute. If you’re familiar with this number, it’s up there.
Because of that, no wonder many Krav Maga instructors look the way they do. It’s a fantastic workout that if you participate in once a week, you’ll notice dramatic changes as time goes on. As a result, if your goal is to better your physical condition and get in shape, training in martial arts and particularly Krav Maga is suitable.
The study’s results indicate that Krav Maga’s training met the ACSM guidelines for improving cardiorespiratory fitness and managing body weight. Hence if you had any worries regarding the exercise not being suitable for improving physical condition and assisting in managing weight, worry no more.
Read more about this topic in an article of mine on whether martial arts is a good way to get in shape.
2. Better performance under stress
Performing under stress is a remarkably crucial aspect of life. Many actions you need to take in your career or any other place may require you to work while being stressed. Such a feeling can come into play with various external factors influencing your decisions, such as expectations from others.
Krav Maga training will better your performance under stress in various aspects. It’ll grant you self-trust. Thus you’ll be able to act with confidence. For instance, police officers with a Krav Maga background performed better in high/low-stress environments, such as self-defense situations.
According to a study, officers with martial arts backgrounds, including Krav Maga, performed better than ones without one. From that, we can interpret that training in such a sport will not only lead to many other benefits, but it’ll also improve your work under stress.
Results showed that officers with experience performed better under said circumstances than ones with no martial arts background. (PubMed)
One can claim that it’s not true. The results show that because the officers trained in these exact situations. Thus repetition creates self-confidence-equals better performance.
Yet, I disagree. First, from personal experience, I can say that it does indeed improve work in high anxiety environments. But, that’s not all. Because the officers didn’t train to better their arrest skills, but overall martial arts, they shouldn’t do better in arrests.
However, from the study, we see that they performed better in said circumstances. Thus Krav Maga training betters work under stress.
3. Improved mental health
One of the leading benefits of training in martial arts is a better mental state. Today, many people are looking to achieve such a feat. Yet, it’s challenging and takes hard work. When it comes to Krav Maga, you can enjoy the process. Therefore, it’s as powerful as it is.
Krav Maga training improves mental health; because it increases self-confidence and emphasizes self-worth and self-trust. As a result, your self-value will rise, which leads to a better mental state. For instance, one can expect to experience it after a few sessions.
A study constructed in February of 2019 showed that Krav Maga training helped young males with their overall mental health. These individuals had a lack of role models, as well as difficulties; navigating challenging social landscapes. (NCBI)
Throughout the study, we understand that martial arts training built more powerful and valuable qualities out of them, such as assertiveness. If you’re looking to improve these aspects in yourself, consider picking up martial arts.
Because they participated in an activity that built them up from the ground, they overcame various obstacles in their training. As a result, they reflected on the success they noticed in their personal life, hence increasing their self-worth and overall mental state.
4. Better awareness
Knowing to spot a situation before it happens is crucial for self-defense. Most times, countering such a scenario is difficult when the attacker has begun attacking. Because of that, increasing your awareness to know to spot such cases before they occur; is a valuable asset.
Krav Maga training increases your overall awareness of dangerous situations because you’ll be able to identify the pre-signs of such cases. As a result, ensuring they won’t happen becomes easier. For instance, if you recognize a street fight before it begins, you’ll know you need to interfere.
Imagine you prepare for a plausible scenario for the past few months. You’ll come to understand that you can identify the pre-signs of it. Therefore, you’ll know when you need to be ready to interfere and ensure everyone’s safety.
In addition, knowing the advantages and disadvantages of the martial art you want to learn is crucial to success. As a result, I wrote an article on the pros and cons of Krav Maga, and I highly encourage you to follow the link to learn more.
Furthermore, you may be able to cease it before it begins. That way, not only will you ensure everyone’s safety, but you also don’t have to do any of the work included.
Thus increasing your awareness is an asset in the self-defense realm. To do so, you need to ensure you practice appropriately in training. As a result, you’ll understand the different signs of the scenario occurring.
5. Decreased aggressiveness
Aggressiveness may not be what you expect. Before jumping to conclusions, understanding the terminology is vital. Aggression is hostile or violent behavior or attitudes toward another; readiness to attack or confront. (Oxford)
Martial arts and Krav Maga training decrease the number of overall aggression, including hostility, verbal aggression, and physical aggression in males and females. (frontiersin.org)
We can interpret one main conclusion from this study. Martial arts assist the trainee in being calmer and less hostile. Consequently, one can control his emotions and urges in dangerous situations.
Thus the chances of the trainee getting hurt are lower. Because of that, the training provides more value than the natural eye can sense. As a result, thinking that martial arts are all about punching and punches; is wrong. It’s much more than that.
One can think, well, how will I disable an enemy if I’m not aggressive. To be clear, that’s not the case.
Krav Maga training will increase the level of aggressiveness in dangerous situations. Hence you’ll know how to disable an attacker quickly. Although what I’m saying is the opposite of what I mentioned earlier. Yet, that’s the case.
From personal experience, Krav Maga’s training made me calm and decisive. However, it also built me as a powerful, more aggressive character when using physical force.
6. Shorter reaction time
Having a shorter reaction time is valuable when it comes to self-defense. You want to act as quickly as possible while remaining calm. Bettering your reaction time may not be possible. Yet, for self-defense scenarios, you’ll not be hesitant. Hence react faster.
Krav Maga training shortens your reaction time because, in training, you’ll practice responding to a threat. As a result, when encountering one, you’ll react quickly and swiftly. For instance, you’ll practice responding to a sudden knife attack. Thus you’ll do it faster when it’s factual.
The average person’s reaction time is about 250 milliseconds. So, a quarter of a second to react to visual stimuli. Now, let’s take it back to the self-defense realm.
Picture yourself walking down the street when suddenly you notice a hostile wearing a hoodie running to you with a knife. Now your brain is digesting the meaning of that. In 0.25 seconds, you’ll begin to respond.
You might be pulling a self-defense weapon, such as a knife or a pistol. Additionally, you may begin to run in the other direction. It doesn’t matter what you try to achieve; you’re going to need to react quickly.
Picture another scenario. You’re just coming out of your Krav Maga place when you notice a hostile running towards you with a knife. Well, you just practiced that scenario in training. Well, you’re immediately going to react. Thus Krav Maga shortens your reaction time to the circumstances you practiced.
7. Increased self-confidence
Training in martial arts has altered experiences of control and vulnerability, self-esteem, self-concept, fitness, confidence, and relaxation. As a result, some researchers characterize martial arts practice as a form of self-help.
(Columbus & Rice, 1998).
Martial arts training, particularly Krav Maga, is a form of self-development. As a result, one can expect to increase his confidence and self-esteem by doing it. Because you’re constantly completing distinct missions; going over obstacles, you’ll become more confident.
The earlier quote is a fantastic example of the mental benefits Krav Maga training grants the trainee. There isn’t a single part in my body that’ll tell you otherwise. Because of that, beginning your journey as earlier as possible; is valuable.
From personal experience, Krav Maga assisted me in increasing my self-confidence and self-worth. Consequently, I was more independent, trustworthy, and capable of handling responsibilities. Because of that, I know that it works. Thus I recommend you start training in it.
Mental health and self-confidence are closely correlated. As a result, when improving one, the other necessary will rise. For that reason, most studies about the correlation between mental health and martial arts come to a similar conclusion. That martial art training betters mental health, including increased self-confidence.
8. Higher pain tolerance
Not being scared of getting hit; is a crucial aspect of disabling self-defense situations, such as street fights. Because you must put yourself at risk; to overcome dangerous situations quickly, if you’re scared of getting hit, you won’t perform well.
Krav Maga training will increase your pain tolerance because, in training, you’ll get hit, softly or powerfully, many times. As a result, you’ll get used to feeling pain in many ways, which increases your pain tolerance. Various martial arts have the same effect, such as Boxing.
Although Krav Maga is a fantastic martial art, one increases one’s pain tolerance better, Boxing. The entire point of it is to punch and get punched. I trained in it and still do. Because of that, it was noteworthy for me to mention this fact.
Yet, Krav Maga brings another aspect to the table. You’re constantly doing more than punching. As a result, you’re learning more about how you should fight to disable attackers quickly. In Boxing, it’s all about knocking down the opponent.
While you’re trying to achieve that in Krav Maga, it’s not the point. The goal is to use self-defense to disable attackers effortlessly. Thus in its training, you’ll notice that you’re constantly practicing responding to a sudden attack, such as a street fight.
At first, you’ll crumble when you get hit. So you know, that’s completely natural. Throughout the training, you’ll understand that pain is just pain, nothing more. As a result, you’ll begin to accept hits. Thus your pain tolerance will increase.
9. Being independent
Knowing what you’re capable of is crucial to set boundaries. However, various people think they can do everything they set their eyes to, which is highly desirable in today’s world. We’re used to being down and feeling insecure.
Krav Maga training will assist you in becoming more independent because the training will encourage you to trust yourself. As a result, you’ll have better self-esteem and self-trust, which equals independence. Such a trait is challenging to obtain. Thus it requires hard work.
Overall, Krav Maga is the deadliest martial art one can learn. I wrote an article on that. I highly encourage you to check it out to know why. Because of that, training in it will promote confidence and a better mental state.
Your mental health and feeling independent go hand-in-hand. As a result, by training Krav Maga, you’ll constantly encourage both to grow.
Eventually, you’ll become a valuable asset for yourself. Therefore, you’ll trust yourself to a better degree. At this moment, think about whether you fully believe in yourself to protect others and yourself. If the answer is no, training in Krav Maga is wise.
10. Knowing self-defense
The most obvious benefit you’ll notice from martial arts training is that you know how to defend yourself. At times, all it takes to use self-defense is to throw punches, which everyone knows. Yet, Krav Maga is an art. It takes plenty of practice to become decent at it.
Krav Maga will grant you the capability of knowing how to use it for self-defense because that’s what practicing does. As a result, in dangerous situations, you’ll be confident in your abilities to overcome them. Eventually, Krav Maga is an art. Thus to become decent at it, you must be consistent.
That’s what it’s all about. I assure you that with the right mindset, you can become capable of using Krav Maga quickly. That way, you’ll be able to use it in dangerous situations you’ll encounter. (hopefully, you won’t)
Additionally, you’ll learn all about firearms and disabling attackers with lethal weapons. Today, many risky situations include the use of some weapon. Therefore, being familiar with countering is crucial to self-defense.
Eventually, various martial arts, such as Boxing or BJJ, don’t teach you how to disable relevant situations, such as a sudden knife attack. With Krav Maga training, you’ll learn all about that. As a result, it’s highly effective, and you should begin training in it.
If you’re hesitant about starting to learn Krav Maga, follow the link to read a post on the five reasons you should learn Krav Maga. It’ll change your mindset and give you the initial boost of motivation you need.
Is learning Krav Maga hard?
Learning a martial is challenging. It’ll push your boundaries and ensure you’re not having an easy time. Yet, the more demanding it is, the more benefit you’ll gain.
Learning Krav Maga is difficult because the training is intense. It works on most muscle groups in your body. As a result, you’ll burn more calories than the average workout. The average person burns 616 calories in an hour-long session of Krav Maga training.
Additionally, it’ll push you to your limits. Because to increase one’s confidence, you must force one to overcome obstacles, Krav Maga training is challenging.
Is learning Krav Maga worth it?
Knowing which martial art is most suitable for you is crucial. If you train in one that doesn’t suit your goals, you’ll end up quitting in the middle of the process. As a result, picking one you like to learn is vital for progress.
Learning Krav Maga is worth it because it’s a dynamic, intense, and relevant martial art. As a result, one can expect various benefits and positive experiences from training, for instance, increased self-confidence, better awareness, independence, and better mental health.
Because of that, training in martial arts is valuable, and most people don’t see the positive effects. As a result, you’re about to enter a wonderful world full of self-development and accomplishing obstacles. I highly encourage you to start doing Krav Maga, as it changed my life and can change yours.
Is Krav Maga effective in a street fight?
Today, street fights are one of the most common self-defense scenarios. Hence preparing for them is crucial to self-defense. In martial arts training, ensure you go over the different ways of countering every plausible case of a street fight.
As a whole, Krav Maga is effective in street fights because its training resembles similar scenarios. As a result, you’ll know how to react when such a situation does occur. In training, you’ll learn how to counter a knife attack. Thus when it does happen, you’ll respond fast and appropriately.
If one of your goals is to know how to counter dangerous self-defense situations, Krav Maga is a suitable martial art for you. You’ll become familiar with similar scenarios and be capable of overcoming them.
I wrote an article explaining why Krav Maga is the best martial art for street fights. I highly encourage you to read it as it complements this post and will expand your knowledge.
Conclusion
Overall, there are many valuable benefits you’ll get from training in Krav Maga. As a result, one can better his life; by doing it.
Yet, today, there are various martial arts. Therefore, some may get confused when picking the one most suitable for them. Because of that, I wrote an article on the nine martial arts you should learn and their pros and cons.
I believe in Krav Maga. In my eyes, it’s the best martial art one can learn. It’s deadly, effective, and a form of self-help. Thus I don’t see a reason not to give it a shot. Additionally, it’ll get you in shape in no time. Hence I recommend learning it starting from today.