Have you been thinking about taking some self-defense classes for weeks? You took your time to learn everything you need to know about self-defense training, maybe you even picked already the right course for you. So what’s there to do next before will take your kick ass self-defense classes?
Before you get started, make sure that the class you pick will offer you great value for your money. How can you do that? By knowing what to expect from your class. This handy list will give you a good idea of what to expect when you step into the gym:
A Good Warm-Up Prior to All Self-Defense Classes
As with every physical training technique you need a good warm up before you get down to the real class. When you go to the gym you do some warm up on the treadmill before you start on the weights, right? All self-defense classes should begin with a good warm-up that will get your mind and muscles in the right spot for training.
Expect to do some simple jumping jacks, jogging, jump rope, squats, push-ups and other warm up exercises during the warm-up session of your class.
Some Real Punching and Kicking
Yes, self-defense involves real kicking and punching. This is the core of a self-defense class. Expect to do a lot of this during the training. Don’t get scared and back out of class. There will be an instructor to show you exactly what to do, no need to worry. Here you will be taught how to protect yourself from getting kicked and punched as well as how to use kicks and punches to deflect an attacker.
-> Check this out: The best female self-defense devices you can carry.
Basic Self Protection Elements
Besides kicking and punching, there are other basic elements of self-defense you should expect to learn from your class. These include:
- How to spot an attacker or tell if a situation is dangerous as soon as possible
- How to defuse a dangerous situation
- Physical techniques you can use to fight off an attacker
Self-Defense Training Community
If you’re training in a group session, expect a sense of community. Self-defense training is not just about the physical act of learning how to protect yourself. There are so many other non-physical benefits of a self-defense course including learning how to interact with other people. You will be training with other people so expect to be part of a community that supports, protects and respects each other.
-> Check this out: Self-defense 1:1 – What is self-defense training?
Best Martial Arts for Women Self-Defense Training
While there’s no particular technique that is for men and another for women, there are a few women self-defense techniques that most women report enjoying more. Here are a few that we’d recommend:
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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is one of the most popular self-defense training techniques not just in Brazil where it’s believed to have originated, but all over the world. There are so many trained and highly qualified Jiu Jitsu trainers around the world. Many people will take up a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in order to compete in the ring. You don’t need to do that though.
Learning the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques can be quite beneficial for women. Most attackers will normally push women to the ground for easy manipulation. It can be quite difficult to fight off a heavy man when you’re on the ground. The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques emphasis on ground fighting. Learning these techniques will therefore help you learn how to defend yourself should you find yourself pinned to the ground by an attacker.
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Krav Maga Training
Krav Maga, is a Hebrew word that means “contact combat”. This is another popular technique taught in most self-defense classes. This martial art technique has its roots in the Israeli military. The technique has been proven to work not just for the military but in real life situations as well.
The focus of Krav Maga techniques is on personal defense and hand-to-hand combat. In this technique you are taught how to avoid punches, hits, kicks, punches, and even being attacked in the dark. You learn how to use your hands to quickly defuse attackers. A Krav Maga class will also teach you the psychological aspects of attacks so that you are aware of threats and how to defuse them before they happen.
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Tae Kwon Do
Now this is a technique that you must have heard of before. Actually when you mention self-defense, this is the martial art technique that comes to mind first for most people. Tae Kwon Do is the world’s most popular Korean martial art technique. Tae Kwon Do loosely means “the way of kicking and punching.” Though it’s seen more of a sport than a self-defense technique, it’s a good skill for women to have.
What makes Tae Kwon Do a great self-defense technique for women is its emphasis on kicking. Male attackers have more upper body strength than women making easy to attack them. Tae Kwon Do gives women the ability to use their legs to fight off male attackers. The strength of your kick will help combat the upper body strength of male attackers.
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Aikido
Finally we go to Japan, another country popular for martial arts. Japan has a well known martial art technique known as Aikido. While most other techniques can be a bit harder to master because they require meeting force with force, Aikido is quite simple.
With Aikido, you are taught to use an attacker’s force against him. This makes Aikido good for o women because they don’t have to be stronger than their attackers in order to protect themselves. Aikido focuses on joint locking and throwing techniques.
Now that you are fully aware of what to expect from your self-defense classes, and better still which are the best self-defense techniques for women, you are ready to go for your first class. We hope that you will love it!
Have you been taking self-defense classes? How are you loving it? Is there anything else new students should expect that we haven’t mentioned? Share with use in the comments section!
