We offer both beginner and advanced classes in adult Krav Maga and adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). We also offer classes in Kali, Judo and Kickboxing. We have Fitness Bootcamp classes that are for any fitness and experience level. In addition, we have youth classes for ages 4 and older in Krav Maga and 7 and older in youth BJJ. We offer a Teen program for students 13 and older.
We offer both beginner and advanced classes in adult Krav Maga and adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). We also offer classes in Kali, Judo and Kickboxing. We have Fitness Bootcamp classes that are for any fitness and experience level. In addition, we have youth classes for ages 4 and older in Krav Maga and 7 and older in youth BJJ. We offer a Teen program for students 13 and older.
Each of these martial arts comes from different origins, focuses on different techniques, and has distinct philosophies. Here's a breakdown of each:
Origin: Developed by Imi Lichtenfeld in Israel, primarily for self-protection.
Focus: Krav Maga is a practical self-defense system designed to neutralize threats quickly and efficiently. It incorporates techniques from a variety of martial arts and focuses on real-world scenarios (e.g., defense against armed attackers, multiple assailants, etc.).
Key Characteristics:
Emphasis on quick, decisive actions.
Uses strikes to vulnerable areas (eyes, groin, throat).
Focus on survival rather than sport or tradition.
Includes both empty-hand combat and weapons defense.
Origin: Developed in Brazil, based on Japanese Judo and traditional Jiu-Jitsu by the Gracie family.
Focus: BJJ is a grappling-focused martial art with an emphasis on ground fighting and submissions, particularly joint locks and chokeholds. It's renowned for teaching techniques that allow a smaller, weaker person to defend themselves against a larger, stronger opponent.
Key Characteristics:
Uses leverage and technique over strength.
Heavy focus on submissions, control, and escapes.
Training often revolves around rolling (sparring) to improve skills.
Emphasizes positional dominance and transitioning between positions to gain control.
Origin: Filipino martial art, primarily focused on weapons but also includes empty-hand techniques.
Focus: Kali is a weapon-based martial art but also teaches unarmed techniques, including strikes, joint locks, and disarms. It is known for its emphasis on using everyday objects (e.g., sticks, knives) for self-defense.
Key Characteristics:
Focus on weaponry, especially sticks, knives, and bladed weapons.
Includes empty-hand combat techniques, which are adaptations of weapon techniques.
Emphasizes fluid motion, timing, and distance management.
Training often involves drills to develop muscle memory and reaction speed.
Origin: Developed in Japan by Jigoro Kano in the late 19th century.
Focus: Judo is a grappling-based sport with an emphasis on throws, joint locks, and pins. The goal in Judo is to either throw your opponent onto the ground, pin them, or submit them with a joint lock or choke.
Key Characteristics:
Focus on takedowns and throws (e.g., hip throws, shoulder throws).
Pins (keeping your opponent's shoulders on the mat for an allotted time) are a primary method of scoring.
Submissions such as joint locks and strangles are part of competition.
Judo has a heavy focus on balance, timing, and technique.
It is practiced both as a competitive sport and a form of self-defense.
Krav Maga focuses on real-world self-defense, with an emphasis on aggression and practicality. It’s not a sport, but rather a system designed for survival.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is more about ground fighting, submissions, and using technique to control or submit an opponent. It is very much sport-oriented but with practical self-defense applications.
Kali focuses heavily on weapons and self-defense, emphasizing fluid movement and adaptability in both armed and unarmed scenarios.
Judo is a sport martial art primarily focused on throwing, pinning, and controlling an opponent. It’s based on principles of balance and leverage and is practiced both as a competitive sport and for self-defense.
Each of these martial arts comes from different origins, focuses on different techniques, and has distinct philosophies. Here's a breakdown of each: Origin: Developed by Imi Lichtenfeld in Israel, primarily for self-protection. Focus: Krav Maga is a practical self-defense system designed to neutralize threats quickly and efficiently. It incorporates techniques from a variety of martial arts and focuses on real-world scenarios (e.g., defense against armed attackers, multiple assailants, etc.). Key Characteristics: Emphasis on quick, decisive actions. Uses strikes to vulnerable areas (eyes, groin, throat). Focus on survival rather than sport or tradition. Includes both empty-hand combat and weapons defense. Origin: Developed in Brazil, based on Japanese Judo and traditional Jiu-Jitsu by the Gracie family. Focus: BJJ is a grappling-focused martial art with an emphasis on ground fighting and submissions, particularly joint locks and chokeholds. It's renowned for teaching techniques that allow a smaller, weaker person to defend themselves against a larger, stronger opponent. Key Characteristics: Uses leverage and technique over strength. Heavy focus on submissions, control, and escapes. Training often revolves around rolling (sparring) to improve skills. Emphasizes positional dominance and transitioning between positions to gain control. Origin: Filipino martial art, primarily focused on weapons but also includes empty-hand techniques. Focus: Kali is a weapon-based martial art but also teaches unarmed techniques, including strikes, joint locks, and disarms. It is known for its emphasis on using everyday objects (e.g., sticks, knives) for self-defense. Key Characteristics: Focus on weaponry, especially sticks, knives, and bladed weapons. Includes empty-hand combat techniques, which are adaptations of weapon techniques. Emphasizes fluid motion, timing, and distance management. Training often involves drills to develop muscle memory and reaction speed. Origin: Developed in Japan by Jigoro Kano in the late 19th century. Focus: Judo is a grappling-based sport with an emphasis on throws, joint locks, and pins. The goal in Judo is to either throw your opponent onto the ground, pin them, or submit them with a joint lock or choke. Key Characteristics: Focus on takedowns and throws (e.g., hip throws, shoulder throws). Pins (keeping your opponent's shoulders on the mat for an allotted time) are a primary method of scoring. Submissions such as joint locks and strangles are part of competition. Judo has a heavy focus on balance, timing, and technique. It is practiced both as a competitive sport and a form of self-defense. Krav Maga focuses on real-world self-defense, with an emphasis on aggression and practicality. It’s not a sport, but rather a system designed for survival. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is more about ground fighting, submissions, and using technique to control or submit an opponent. It is very much sport-oriented but with practical self-defense applications. Kali focuses heavily on weapons and self-defense, emphasizing fluid movement and adaptability in both armed and unarmed scenarios. Judo is a sport martial art primarily focused on throwing, pinning, and controlling an opponent. It’s based on principles of balance and leverage and is practiced both as a competitive sport and for self-defense.1. Krav Maga:
2. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ):
3. Kali (also known as Eskrima or Arnis):
4. Judo:
Key Differences:
Each martial art brings something unique to the table, depending on whether you're looking for self-defense, sport, or a blend of both!
Yes, we do! We offer Fundamental classes to get started for Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and Kickboxing.
Yes, we do! We offer Fundamental classes to get started for Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and Kickboxing.
At this time, we do not offer private training due to our heavy teaching schedule. We offer over 50 classes per week, which keeps us very busy.
At this time, we do not offer private training due to our heavy teaching schedule. We offer over 50 classes per week, which keeps us very busy.
For your first class, equipment is not required. However, depending on the adult or youth program, there is safety gear or training equipment that is needed. The instructor will review the requirements for each class if you decide you would like to pursue training with us.
For your first class, equipment is not required. However, depending on the adult or youth program, there is safety gear or training equipment that is needed. The instructor will review the requirements for each class if you decide you would like to pursue training with us.
We start our youth students at age 4 and our adults at 18 and older.
We offer morning and evening classes. First time clients coming in for a visit need to reserve their class by calling us at 203-484-2020. We also ask that if you would like to observe a class, you call us to schedule a time before coming in so we can make sure we have a staff member available to assist you. We have 3 training suites with an upper and lower level, so we want to make sure you are able to view the correct class based on your interest.
We offer morning and evening classes. First time clients coming in for a visit need to reserve their class by calling us at 203-484-2020. We also ask that if you would like to observe a class, you call us to schedule a time before coming in so we can make sure we have a staff member available to assist you. We have 3 training suites with an upper and lower level, so we want to make sure you are able to view the correct class based on your interest.
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Amazing instructors who make you feel welcome and go the extra mile to teach you. The other students are great to work with, and I learned a lot in my first two sessions.
Experienced a huge increase in fitness and confidence from martial arts and strengthening classes. Super flexible schedule, cannot recommend highly enough.
