"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; KMSD Poway students choose any three of the four days per week to attend (no need to be consistent, or even let us know what days you choose each week). However, Beginning students must wait until they have completed their first 8 week session and received Instructor approval before attending the Friday Combined class. 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, wrapped up, and must print their name on the Sign-in List under the column for their level class(es). There will always be a short warmup, which is designed to prevent injury, increase flexibility, and build endurance and strength.
Beginning students are always invited to stay for the warmup of the Intermediate classes. More experienced students commonly join the Beginning level classes to review and help the newer students. After attending 3 or more sessions in Beginning Level, most students are invited to test for the rank of Practitioner 1. The exams are held at the KMSD JCC location, and after passing this test students will usually (but not always) be invited to attend Intermediate classes, with Instructor's permission.
The Poway program's Beginner class is for new students, and the Intermediate class is by invitation of the Instructors, and for those who have trained at the JCC program and tested for Practitioner 1 rank (at any IKMF location). On Tuesday, Intermediate students should bring their protective gear for contact training! And the Friday Combined class often focuses on a weapons defense topic each session.
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 Beginning class, but may stay for Intermediate 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.


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, especially in 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 Beginning Class without any rank, and usually there is a Practitioner 1 Exam offered after a student completes three (3) of the 8-week sessions of Beginning level classes. Following this, most students are invited to attend the Intermediate classes, although many choose to continuing their training at the Beginning level, for several more 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?"

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 waiting list for the next session). You must have completed your Registration process before beginning your workout when you do start your training. Some students only attend once a week throughout the 8-week sessions, although we recommend new students maximize training by attending three of the four weekly classes. Permission is granted upon request for new students to attend four classes per week. Military, Law Enforcement, Firefighter, Military Dependent, Intermediate level 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 at the KMSD Poway location train on rubber flooring; outdoors; or on a mat. For the rubber mat floor, or outdoors, wear whatever footwear you want. For the mat, either barefoot, in socks, or in special "wrestling" or "mat" shoes that are carried in to the training facility are all appropriate. Ask about the special "Discipline" shoes which blend martial arts and wrestling footwear; there should be a pair on location to view. 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). Beginning level students are encouraged to buy a white Krav Maga San Diego t shirt to wear in or out of class, and a colored shirt to wear outside of training (until they are in the Intermediate class where students can wear any color shirt). Handwraps and a guide will be issued to brand-new Krav Maga San Diego Beginning students after the first or second week of the session.
Krav Maga San Diego - Poway students may purchase merchandise from their Instructor.
When making a purchase, please carefully fill out a KMSD Poway Order Form completely, and place in the document holder near the front of class, or hand to an Instructor, with payment.
Leave your watch, jewelry, etc. in a gym bag at the side of the room (or leave at home or in your vehicle). Krav Maga San Diego, Inc. and the San Diego Combat Center are 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 difference of operating in the clothes you'll most likely be wearing away from class. Ladies often wear a skirt/dress with shorts underneath. Remember that if Street Clothes class is combined with Outdoor Training, you may hit the ground and and get mud/grass stains on your clothes; bring athletic shoes (and ladies may bring heels) to wear in the parking lot if it is utilized.
NOTE: on Saturdays especially students should always bring clothes / shoes suitable for training outdoors, i.e on dirt, mud, or pavement.

"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.
Carry your training shoes into the facility in a separate bag, and check the soles for any pebbles, etc. which could damage the mat surface;
Although an attacker may very well be dirty and smelly, let's have this be one area of "realistic training" we leave outside.

"How much does it cost?"

$250 per eight (8) week session for New Beginning level students (first session only) .
$150 for Continuing Students (any level). New students may attend any three (3) of the four (4) classes offered in their level per week, no need to notify us each week as to which days you are coming, but don't forget to sign in each time! Please wait until you have completed your first 8 week session before participating in the Friday Combined class.
For Continuing Students, there is a $25 late fee payable to "Krav Maga San Diego, Inc." 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).

Concurrent Membership:
$125 to join the KMSD Poway program for 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 Krav Maga San Diego students currently enrolled in the KMSD Poway program (any level).
Concurrent Membership is for Continuing Students and 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 students in the following groups:

Continuing students who refer a NEW Beginning (or Level 1 - JCC) 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 instead of PayPal, participate in the class, and then 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 WILL NOT receive a refund, only a credit which can be transferred to the next session (or to another registrant).

Classes fill up and close in advance and priority is given to students who are referred by current students, who have pre-registered by contacting us through this site, and, who have paid 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 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 of any trade agreements for the course. If in doubt, just let us know what you do, and we may contact you.

Currently open trade categories: Massage Therapist; Physical Therapist