How to Take Krav Maga Mental and Physical Training

Krav Maga is much more than just a self-defense and hand-to-hand combat system. It is a lifelong approach to physicality and mentality in extreme situations. Knowing how to train your body and mind for violent and confrontational experiences is one of the keys to mastering Krav Maga. Follow these steps to take mental and physical training in Krav Maga.

Instructions

    • 1

      Start with basic Krav Maga instruction. Part of Krav Maga training involves developing muscle memory for quick and decisive reactions to movement and getting the brain's reflex mechanisms to enter into the response equation. Take a few levels of introductory Krav Maga training to start getting the basic movements.

    • 2

      Begin impromptu exercises and weight training with heavy objects. You can ask a Krav Maga trainer or practitioner to assign you exercises to improve your strength, endurance and speed. However, to get started right away, find heavy objects around the house, such as cinder blocks and sandbags. Use these objects to do fast, intensive lifting motions followed by quick running. This will help hone your coordination skills and get you into better shape for Krav Maga.

    • 3

      Meld the mental and the physical. Pushing yourself past your apparent physical limits is an excellent way to do mental training for Krav Maga. While you should not attempt to run 10 miles when you can only do 2, squeezing out an extra 5 push-ups or adding a final set just when you thought your training was finished will help you train your brain for the martial art. By pushing yourself far enough, both your brain and your body will learn to surpass previous boundaries.

    • 4

      Practice what you study and study what you practice. Krav Maga is so successful and debilitating because it uses scientific knowledge, such as locations of soft tissue on the body, to gain advantage over an opponent. After each training session, write down what you learned so you can remember it better and look into it further. Similarly, as you come across new techniques in books or online, take them to your instructor or try them with a sparring partner to put into practice what you learned on paper.