"What are the classes like?"
"Can I arrange to come in to watch a class?"
"What if I'm not in the greatest physical shape right now?"
"Who will be in the class with me?"
"Do I need a workout partner?"
"Are there colored belts like in karate?"
"Can I join this session even after it's started?"
"What do I need to wear?"
"How should I prepare for each class?"
"How much does it cost?"
"Do I have to pay in advance, or can I just come and try it out first?"
"Do you negotiate trades for your registration fee?"


"What are the classes like?"

Students work out at their own pace; students choose any two of the three days per week to attend (no need to be consistent, or to even let us know what days you choose each week). The Calendar page shows class days and times. Classes gradually move at a faster pace as each session progresses; everyone will be challenged and quite tired after an hour! Students arrive early to class, hands wrapped up, and must print their name on the Sign-in List under the column for their level class(es), at the entrance to whichever room/area we are using that day. There will always be a short warmup, which is designed to prevent injury, increase flexibility, and build endurance and strength.
Level 1 students are invited to stay for the warmup of the Level 2 classes, and more experienced students commonly join the lower level classes to review and help the newer students. After attending 2, 3 or more 8-week sessions in Level 1, most students are invited to test for the rank of Practitioner 1; after passing this test they can attend Level 2 classes. The Level 2 classes on Wednesday evenings at 7:15pm, and Thursday evenings at 8pm, focus more on the "technical" aspects of the system, allowing students to learn new material for advancement in rank without as much full contact or hard-core conditioning. Wednesday night's Level 2 class at the JCC at 8:15pm will work within the same level of techniques, but will allow students to experience "contact training" and fighting with full protective gear, for a higher level of physical and mental conditioning and fitness. Students attaining the rank of Practitioner 4 and above are usually invited to attend Level 3 classes at the JCC.
The theme in all of our KMSD training is "help each other out". You'll learn defenses against some of the most common attacks today, and important fighting skills necessary to defend yourself if involved in a physical conflict. Please be aware that KMSD programs are not like a "typical" college rec course or health club program! KMSD takes pride in providing realistic training to give our students genuine life-saving skills. We will give every student their full money's worth so they know they can defend themselves in the street. Note that some measure of physical fitness is required to participate in our classes.

"Can I arrange to come in and watch a class?"

Absolutely. Just email us with at least several days advance notice to let us know what day you'd like to come visit: Info@KravMagaSD.com. Students are encouraged to visit a Level 1 class, but may stay for Level 2 classes (and usually also Level 3 classes). We must have your first and last name, and a valid email address. You'll receive further instructions via email after we receive your request. Visitors to the JCC will be required to show valid gov't issue photo identification and sign in at the Sports and Fitness Center desk before passing through security.
NOTE: the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center is a secure facility.

What if I'm not in the greatest physical shape right now?

Don't worry about it! Krav Maga is designed to teach everybody how to defend themselves. Students work at their own pace, although we encourage a strong workout, and everybody is challenged physically. Nobody should avoid learning how to defend themselves because they're not an athlete. All students will get in better shape during the course; you will increase your flexibility, endurance, speed, strength, environmental awareness, and self-confidence. Many students lose a lot of weight! You must ask your doctor if it's OK to participate in this type of training if you have any physical limitation/injury.

"Who will be in the class with me?"

Krav Maga San Diego typically attracts a wide variety of men/women/girls/boys who share some things in common: the desire to increase their self-confidence and ability to realistically defend themselves and their loved ones; and an interest in maintaining physical fitness in a non-threatening environment while having fun! Participants typically include Military and Law Enforcement personnel (who make up a large % of Krav Maga San Diego members at the JCC program), homemakers, entertainment figures, high school/college students, athletes, artists, professionals, etc. The age range for our regular class is teens through seniors; please don't hesitate to contact us if you have related questions. We will have students with no experience at all, as well as accomplished martial artists from other systems, and Military/Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics Instructors. Please see "Discounts", under "How much is the course?"

"Do I need a workout partner?"

No, one will be provided for you, and students will get to know each other in the class and are asked to please introduce themselves and talk to each other while waiting for class to start. However, many students join with someone else. Couples, parents/teenagers, siblings, and friends often join together to train with each other, although at different times during the class students will change partners. Our Message Board and Krav Maga San Diego Facebook Group page are open to Krav Maga San Diego students of all levels so they can arrange to meet outside of class for extra training.

"Are there colored belts like in karate?"

Krav Maga San Diego uses the International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF) system of ranking signified by a patch on the pants; it is recognized internationally: Practitioner 1 - 5, Graduate 1 - 5, and Expert levels. New students start out in the Level 1 Class without any rank, and usually there is a Practitioner 1 Exam offered after a student completes two (2) or three (3) of the 8-week sessions of Level 1 classes. Following this, most students are invited to attend the Level 2 classes, although many choose to continuing their training in Level 1, even for several sessions, to reinforce the basic, important Krav Maga principles and techniques. The levels (Practitioner/Graduate/Expert) are somewhat aligned with traditional martial arts belt progression, but the rank system generally allows for students to learn higher level techniques sooner, and test more often, if they choose to do so. There are separate fees for workshops and testing. In Krav Maga San Diego, teaching and "doing" are distinct, so high ranking students may not have the tools to teach Krav Maga, while lower ranking students may possess the talent to be recommended to Instructor Training.
Krav Maga San Diego is the established International rank testing location in Southern California which is recognized worldwide.

"Can I join the session even after it's started?"

Generally not. We sometimes allow experienced Krav Maga students to join an ongoing session, pending Instructor approval. Send us an email at Info@KravMagaSD.com if interested.
Note: there is a $25 late fee payable to "Krav Maga San Diego, Inc." if you pay after the first class.
New Students generally will not be admitted to the session late, but will be placed on the contact list for the next session. You must have completed your Registration process before beginning your training. Some students only attend once a week throughout each 8-week session, although we recommend new students maximize training by attending two of the three weekly Level 1 classes. Permission is granted upon request for new students to attend three classes per week. Military, Law Enforcement, Firefighter, Military Dependent, Level 2 and Level 3 students are permitted to do so automatically.

"What do I need to wear?"

There are no karate-type uniforms in our style of Krav Maga. Students wear any athletic shoes that won't leave marks on a wooden floor, long black pants (i.e. sweats, karate pants, etc.), and a short or long sleeved t-shirt (no tank tops please, unless it's a Street Clothes class). Students are encouraged to buy a white Krav Maga San Diego t shirt by filling out an Order Form; they are on a clipboard at class (colored shirts can be worn outside of class until you are a Level 2 student). Level 2 students may wear any colored Krav Maga San Diego t shirt. Boxing handwraps are issued to new students (if this is their first session of Krav Maga ever taken with Krav Maga San Diego) after the first week and should be worn to all subsequent classes unless otherwise indicated; extra sets are available in class (including extra long versions). We suggest students keep an extra pair of handwraps in their gym bag while one set is hanging to dry, or in case you forget them. Prices for all merchandise are listed the Order Forms in class.
When making a purchase, please carefully fill out a KMSD Order Form completely and read the instructions at the top of it. They are located on a clipboard each day next to the Sign-In clipboard. When complete, place along with payment in the blue document holder near the front of class; cash should be folded in the form (send us an email afterwards alerting us to cash payment), or checks are made out to:
"Krav Maga San Diego, Inc.".
Also, leave your watch, jewelry, etc. in a gym bag at the side of the room (or at home). Krav Maga San Diego / LFJCC not responsible for lost or stolen property.

Street Clothes Classes - wear your work uniform, school clothes, evening wear, or business attire, so you can appreciate the different feel of operating in the clothes you'll most likely be wearing away from class. Ladies often wear a skirt/dress with shorts underneath, and athletic shoes for the warmup before changing back into heels for the class. Remember that you may hit the ground, and if Street Clothes class is combined with Outdoor Training, you may hit the ground and get mud/grass stains on your clothes.

"How should I prepare for each class?"

For Safety in Training, and consideration and respect toward your Instructors and fellow KMSD students, please try to do the following before arriving at the training location:
Shower, and wash your hair;
Use deodorant or antiperspirant;
Clean under and trim/file your fingernails;
Wear a clean shirt (if attending two classes, bring a fresh clean shirt for the second class, especially if you sweat a lot);
Use clean wraps (just wash in sink after class and hang dry; they will be dry in a few hours);
You don't need to wear cologne/perfume, as we are in close proximity with others who may have allergies, but try not to smell bad.
Remember that KMSD students have access to the locker rooms, showers, sauna, and restroom facilities before and after classes.
Although an attacker may very well be dirty and smelly, let's have this be one area of "realistic training" we leave outside of class.

"How much does it cost?"

$250 per eight (8) week session for New Level 1 Students (very first 8-week session only - includes a pair of handwraps/guide).
$150 for Continuing Students (any level). New students may attend any two (2) of the three (3) classes offered in their level per week, no need to notify us each week as to which days you are coming.
These checks are made out to, "Lawrence Family JCC".
For Continuing Students, there is a $25 late fee if you pay after the first class (Continuing Students only; new students generally will not be admitted this late, but will be placed on the contact list for the next session). Late students must first get permission to join, and then either send a check payable to "Krav Maga San Diego, Inc.", or use the Late Fee PayPal button on the Pre-Register page.

Concurrent Membership:
$125 to join the Poway program for Continuing Krav Maga San Diego students currently enrolled in the JCC program (any level - but must have COMPLETED one full session).
$125 to join the Krav Maga San Diego program at the JCC for Continuing Krav Maga San Diego students currently enrolled in the KMSD Poway program (any level).
These checks are made out to, "Krav Maga San Diego, Inc.".

Please note that all fees are non-refundable. If your check is returned by the bank, there is a $25 KMSD fee for "returned checks".

DISCOUNTS for regular course sessions

$50 off for students in the following groups:

Active Duty Military personnel who are armed in their duties; Purple Heart recipients
Full-time Armed Law Enforcement Officers
Professional Firefighters

$25 off for:

JCC members
Continuing students who refer a NEW Level 1 student
Military Dependents
Under 18 year-olds
Women's Seminar participants (New Students only, one time Discount)

One discount per person, per session, please; take the best one you qualify for.

"Do I have to pay in advance, or can I first come and try it out?"

If you are unsure if you want to commit to the 8 weeks of training, register with payment via check, participate in the class, and then if you don't want to continue, email us after the first class to ask us to "unregister" you. We'll reply with a confirmation and then destroy your check and registration form. But most students who come to try it out end up staying! If you are thinking about joining another school, please see them first to make your own evaluation.
*NOTE - PayPal registrants CANNOT receive a refund, only a credit that can be transferred to another session, or registrant in a future session, during that calendar year.
To join one of the programs, mail in the appropriate downloadable Registration Form (available on our Pre-Register page) to the Krav Maga San Diego, Inc. office address (NOT the LFJCC), which is printed on the Flier/Registration Form. Then either click on the appropriate PayPal button on our Pre-Register page, or , include a check with your Registration Form, made out to: Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center if you are registering for the JCC program; or "KMSD, Inc." if you are registering for Concurrent Training, only available to Continuing Students after your first session. Please make sure your check has the name of the student listed on it and is made out properly!

The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center (LFJCC)should not be asked to accept anything at all for Krav Maga San Diego. Students who attempt to register by bringing registration forms/payment directly to the JCC, or mailing them to the JCC instead of mailing them to Krav Maga San Diego, will not be registered for the training and their place will be given to a waiting student.

Classes fill up and close in advance and priority is given to students who are referred from current students; who have pre-register by contacting us through this site; and, who have paid in advance and mailed in their registration form to:
Krav Maga San Diego, Inc.
P.O. Box 13453
La Jolla, CA 92039-3453.
Come dressed to train the first day of the session; you must have filled out, signed, and turned in a Registration Form before beginning your first class!

"Do you negotiate trades for your registration fee?"

Yes. Please contact Dana Ben Kaplan, Lead Instructor, with details of what you are interested in proposing for trade. His direct email is "Dana@KravMagaSD.com".

Krav Maga San Diego Inc. reserves final decision regarding any trade agreements. If in doubt, just let us know what you do, and we may contact you.

Currently open trade categories: Massage Therapist; Physical Therapist