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Martial arts are a truly tremendous way to get in shape, learn real-life self-defense skills, get some powerful dopamine hits and develop long-lasting friendships. With so many martial arts disciplines coming from all over the world, it can be difficult to decide which martial art to start.
Two of the most popular arts in the world are Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Krav Maga. BJJ is known for its use in mixed martial arts and the UFC. Krav Maga on the other hand is known for being deadly on the battlefield, or in urban combat situations.
In this article we’re going to break down what you need to know about the two martial arts and examine which art might be the best one for you to decide what the best option is between Krav Maga vs Jiu Jitsu and which one you should take a class in.
Everything there is to know about these two diverse martial arts
If we are looking at Krav Maga vs Jiu Jitsu and trying to decide which is the best one to train, it is good to know what the two martial arts are focused on, where they came from and and what type of techniques we might expect to encounter.
Krav Maga
The name Krav Maga comes from Hebrew and translates as “contact combat”. It was created by Hungarian boxer, wrestler and gymnast Imi Lichtenfeld as a means of defending the Bratislavan Jewish community from anti-semitic attacks. Krav Maga is a modern, highly self defence system which has been developed since the late 1930s by Lichtenfeld and Israel Defense Force troops.
Most Krav Maga techniques are designed for use in a realistic self defense situation neutralizing threats quickly and effectively us a core principle of the combat system.
Many trained military personnel hold Krav Maga to be the ultimate self defense system. Most techniques are kept simple and intuitive, whilst being designed to work with the body’s natural reactions under stress, allowing them o tbe easily remembered and applied when a situation calls upon it.
Krav Maga training is versatile because it includes both armed and unarmed attacks. Many of the techniques can be used against various types of attacks whether they are punches, kicks, chokes, grabs or weapon attacks.
Krav Maga Practictioners are also taught to defend themselves against multiple attackers, with the emphasis placed on preventing attackers from surrounding or overpowering the defender. In these instances, the Krav Maga Fighter may look for quick escapes by creating space or disabling attackers and using that moment to flee.
By targeting vulnerable areas such as the eyes, throat or joints, a Krav Maga fighter can cause enough pain to disable an attacker, allowing them to gain control of the situation.
Krav Maga incorporates striking techniques from various other arts, including boxing, Muay Thai and karate. These trikes can stun or disorient opponents. Although going to the ground is a last resort, many Krav Maga gyms will also teach techniques similar to those found in BJJ.
What makes Krav Maga different to many other martial arts is that it teaches both weapons training, disarming and an adaption to the environment. In this art you will find ways to defend against knives, sticks and firearms, whilst developing a situational awareness which will prepare you to find your own improvised weapons in your surrounding environment.
Ultimately, unlike various traditional martial arts which might use “forms” or “kata”, Krav Maga practitioners prioritize survival and self-protection.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu
In the early 20th century, Japanese Judoka, Jiggoro Kano sent students such as Mitsuyo Maeda and Geo Omori all over the world. Along the way these Japanese men would pick up catch wrestling techniques, and add them to their existing repertoire of Judo and Japanese Jiu Jitsu, take on challenges where they would showcase their ground fighting techniques and show the strength of their martial art.
Maeda would eventually meet members of the Gracie family and took them on as students. The Gracie family would go on to start their own BJJ schools and the art would later come to the forefront of combat sports, due to being showcased in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events such as the UFC.
Due to its dominance in the early days of UFC, BJJ was for a period of time the most effective martial art on the planet. Since then other martial arts have shown periods of greater dominance in MMA, such as Thai boxing and wrestling. Despite this, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has a plethora of defensive maneuvers such as the guard position which you may be less likely to find in another grappling martial art.
These grappling techniques combined with joint locks and choke holds can be incredibly effective in real world settings, particularly as such a high percentage of unarmed conflicts can end up on the ground.
Fighting a BJJ practitioner can be a confusing and confounding exercise. For those not familiar with the fighting system, sparring or “rolling” with a BJJ fighter can be compared to “drowning on the floor”. Students of ten need to take some time to “get comfortable being uncomfortable”.
BJJ classes are a great way to get in shape, make friends and learn effective techniques for self defence. Both Krav Maga and BJJ have been used in training military personnel.
Key Differences Between Krav Maga And Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
One of the most distinctive differences between Krav Maga and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is in terms of the level of brutality permitted. Krav Maga training teaches techniques often designed for warzones. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu on the other hand is a combat sport, often referred to as “the gentle art”, as a BJJ fighter is encouraged to be humble and intelligent with both their approach to life and the choice of their movements.
Jiu-jitsu vs Krav Maga: Sport vs combat system
As noted, the dichotomy between the two arts mean that Krav Maga holds survival as a key tenent of its practice, whilst jiu jitsu, is centred on controlled combat and progressing through more dominant positions.
BJJ Rules
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitions have their own sets of rules and regulations for competitions. The most important thing to remember with BJJ rules is that they barr the use of strikes and encourage the use of techniques specific to the art. Aside from this, rules can differ from competition to competition and are typically governed by organizations such as the IBJJF or NAGA. Regardless, of which organization is holding a competition, these rules are generally designed to ensure fairness, safety, and the proper execution of techniques. The common elements of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu rules are as follows:
Submissions and Point Scoring: The main objective in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitions is to win by accumulating points or by submitting your opponent. Submission occurs when you force your opponent to “tap out” due to a joint lock or choke, signifying their acknowledgment of defeat to prevent injury. On the other hand, points can be accumulated by obtaining a more dominant position. Scoring a takedown, passing the guard, sweeping or reversing passes, achieving back control, knee-on-belly or mount are all likely to score points. Poitns can be lost for stalling, avoiding engagement, or intentionally going out of bounds to avoid a position.
Time Limits: BJJ matches are usually timed, with various time limits depending on belt rank and competition level. Matches can range from around 5 minutes for beginners to 10 minutes or more for advanced competitors. The higher the belt rank, the longer the round. If a match isn’t decided by points, or submission, referees may make decisions based on overall performance and control during the match.
Attire: Competitors must wear a BJJ gi (uniform) that meets specific guidelines regarding color and design. No-gi competitions, where participants wear shorts and rash guards, have slightly different rules.
Hygiene and Safety: Competitors must maintain proper hygiene and adhere to safety protocols. Nails must be trimmed, and certain techniques that may cause injury, like heel hooks at certain belt levels, might be prohibited.
Sportsmanship: BJJ competitions emphasize good sportsmanship and respectful behavior. Unsportsmanlike conduct can result in penalties or disqualification.
Again it is worth noting that while these rules provide a general overview of BJJ competitions, specific events or organizations might have variations or additional rules. Competitors should familiarize themselves with the rules of the specific tournament they are participating in to ensure a fair and enjoyable experience.
Krav Maga Rules
Krav Maga is a martial art more concerned with self defence than sport competition, so it doesn’t have a strict set of competition rules like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, boxing or other arts designed for sportive combat. Instead, Krav Maga focuses on practical techniques for self-defense in real-world scenarios and consequently, it doesn’t so much as have rules, but a series of guidelines for survival.
The ultimate goal of Krav Maga is to keep you, or those you are protecting safe. The system assumes that in a violent situation, there are no rules. You must to everything in your power to stay alive and not get hurt. Wherever possible, preventative measures should come before anything – awareness and avoidance are your first ports of call. Don’t get into a danger zone if you can. If you see a problem around you, stay away.
If the conflict has been thrust upon you and you have no choice, then kick the groin, spit, bite, eye gouge and pull hair if you need to. Never escalate the situation and hold fighting as the absolute last resort. If you have to fight then aim for weak points – eyes, nose, groin and throats. These aren’t organs which can develop muscle, so even the strongest opponents are weak to these.
Krav Maga isn’t a sport, and a violent situation is not like sparring with gym buddies, so practictioners fight in a way which suits their physical condition and abilities. A heavy person can emphasize fist fighting; a small person can take advantage of his frame for quickness.
Another principle is that when users have the upper hand, and their opponent is no longer a threat, they should stop fighting. It’s important to respond according to the needs and not beyond them. Crossing this line between self-defense to unnecessary aggressive behavior results in losing control, which could be regarded very negatively by police or authorities. Not to mention, the emotional impact from the guilt of doing excess damage to someone.
Krav Maga instructors tend to encourage their students to stay on their feet. Fighting on the ground can render someone vulnerable to multiple attackers.
The system has an ever-changing set of techniques in order to keep up with the way therats can change over time. In the same way Akido and Bujinkan were developed for the days of feudal Japan where swords were carried, the Israeli art is designed to provide answers for knives and guns. The system discourages ego or staying loyal to any tradition if that tradition no longer holds any value in modern society.s levels.
Remember that Krav Maga is about personal safety and effective self-defense, and the principles you learn are meant to be applied in real-life scenarios. If you are a Krav Maga practitioner, train responsibly and ethically, with the goal of avoiding harm whenever possible and protecting yourself and others when necessary.
Ranking Systems
Both Jiu Jitsu and Krav Maga have their own systems to denote how experienced or accomplished a student is. Both the Krav Maga and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ranking systems reflect the respective philosophies and goals of the two different arts. Krav Maga’s system tends to be simpler and focused on practical skills, while Jiu Jitsu’s belt system emphasizes mastery and a deep understanding of techniques and strategies.
Krav Maga Ranking
Krav Maga’s ranking is considerably less formal and standardized than other martial arts, but many Krav Maga schools, along with prominent organizations such as Krav Maga Global (KMG) have ranking systems which consist of practitioner levels, graduate levels and expert levels. KMG’s ranking system emphasizes the development of the self defence skills but also recognizes technical proficiency and the capacity to teach other students.
A Krav Maga practitioner may obtain a patch to denote their level and by the KMG’s levels, here are the
Practitioner Levels:
Practitioner Level 1 (P1): This is the entry-level rank where students learn the fundamental techniques and principles of the martial art. This might include working with the stance for balance and mobility, basic strikes and counterattacks.
Practitioner Level 2 (P2): Building on P1, practitioners develop more advanced skills and understanding of Krav Maga techniques and concepts. P2’s classes might give more information on handling multiple assailants and some ground fighting technique.
Practitioner Level 3 (P3): At this stage, practitioners deepen their knowledge of Krav Maga and further refine their techniques. This might go deeper into the psychological aspects and give the martial artist some basic skills for defending third parties.
Graduate Levels:
After completing the practitioner levels, practitioners move on to the graduate levels, which indicate a higher level of proficiency and expertise.
Graduate Level 1 (G1): At graduate level, Krav Maga students begin to learn more advanced techniques, combat fitness and weapons defense refinement along with weapons improvisation.
Graduate Level 2 (G2): Practitioners should have be at a high level of physical fitness, having underwent strength and endurance building conditioning programmes. They will also be able to instruct other students at high levels. They should also see the path for continued progression.
Graduate Level 3 (G3): G3 practitioners are advanced with their striking and ability to handle multiple assailants.
Expert Levels:
Expert levels are for those who have reached a high level of proficiency in Krav Maga and have often been teaching and training for many years.
Expert Level 1 (E1): At this level, practitioners are considered experts and have a deep understanding of Krav Maga theory, application, and teaching methods.
Expert Level 2 (E2): E2 practictioners should have be at a high level of physical fitness, having underwent strength and endurance building conditioning programmes. They will also be able to instruct other students at high levels. They should also see the path for continued progression.
Expert Level 3 (E3): This is the highest level of expertise in KMG’s system. E3 practitioners are acknowledged as elite Krav Maga practitioners and instructors.
KMG’s ranking system emphasizes the progressive development of practical self-defense skills and the ability to apply Krav Maga techniques effectively in real-life situations. It recognizes both technical proficiency and the capacity to teach others. Keep in mind that the specifics of KMG’s ranking system might vary slightly based on the region or specific Krav Maga school you are training with.
BJJ
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art with a well-defined belt ranking system to indicate a student’s skill level, knowledge and ability. The system includes the following ranks:
White Belt: All beginners start at white belt. White belts tend to focus on fundamental techniques such as escaping and defending submission attempts and dominant positions. White belts will typically only have basic submission moves. Most BJJ practitioners have a white belt for around 6-18 months before they graduate to Blue Belt level.
Blue Belt: Blue belts have a good grasp of basic techniques and concepts and according to Helio Gracie’s description are “someone who can defend themselves against a larger, stronger opponent by using Jiu Jitsu techniques. At blue belt level, students may develop and experiment with their skill sets. Legendary coach John Danaher states that blue belts should be able to be as effective on both top and bottom, finish opponents and have a working knowledge of hook sweep, elbow escape, back chokes and knee slice guard pass. Unfortunately it is not uncommon for a BJJ practitioner to drop out of the martial art before progressing any higher, but those that continue for five or more years are likely to obtain a purple belt.
Purple Belt: Purple belts have a solid understanding of BJJ and have developed their own style and game. They are skilled in both offensive and defensive techniques. As black belt Firas Zahabi states – a purple belt can control and submit blue belts on a regular basis, challenge brown belts, show understanding of details including combinations and complicated positions. At purple belt, you may begin to specialise in particular areas of your game which will define your fighting style.
Brown Belt: Brown belts are considered advanced practitioners and the belt is the final step before black belt. They have refined techniques, deep understanding, and are often instructors themselves, able to dominate and control all students with lower grades.
Black Belt: The black belt represents a high level of dedication, mastery and expertise. The majority of black belts will have trained for over a decade, but some practitioners are able to develop a high level of understanding in a shorter period of time, depending on focus, hours spent on the mat and natural ability. Despite the high level of competency, the black belt is not the end of the journey but the beginning of further learning and growth.
As Danaher states ““It is a symbol that you can now enter into a more serious phase of learning where you know enough to formulate your own developing approach to the game and begin to teach others. You still have a lifetime of learning and development ahead of you.””
Beyond the black belt, there are higher degrees of black belts, known as degrees or dan ranks. These degrees are earned through years of dedication, teaching, and continued improvement. The highest degree is typically the 7th-degree black belt. After this point, there are belts such as red and white, red and black and red belts however these are all linked to the number of years spent at black belt level.
Brief History of Krav Maga
Created by Imi Lichtenfeld, Krav Maga draws influences from boxing, wrestling, judo, and street-fighting techniques. Its primary focus is on teaching effective self-defense in real-world scenarios, making it a go-to choice for law enforcement, military personnel, and civilians alike.
Due to the rising threat of Nazi Germany, Imi fled the Slovakian capital which had become his home to Israel, then Palestine in the late 1930s and early 1940s. From 1944, Imi trained members of the Haganah, a Jewish paramilitary organization.
Elite units such as the Palmach, Pal-Yam and groups of police officers would take Imi’s training and develop their fitness through swimming, wrestling and training knife fighting techniques. In 1948, when the State of Israel was official founded, Lichetenfeld became the Chief Instructor for physical fitness and Krav Maga at the new Israeli Defence Forces School of Combat.
Imi would serve in the IDF for around 20 years during which time he would develop and refine his hand-to-hand combat methods.
Martial disciplines and combat sports have existed as far back as human history goes, but Krav Maga was new as it was based upon the scientific and dymanic principles of the human body.
In 1965 judo training was added as part of the training, and until 1968 there were no grades in Krav Maga. Then a student’s grades were determined largely by his knowledge in judo.
In 1968 Eli Avikzar, Imi’s principal student and first black belt, began learning aikido and in 1971 left for France where he received a brown belt in aikido. Eli returned and worked as an instructor alongside Imi where they worked together to improve Krav Maga by incorporating aikido and counter-defenses into Krav Maga. Imi retired in 1974 and handed the reigns of the Netanya training center to Eli.
After his retirement from the IDF, Lichtenfeld opened a school to train civilians. The first civilian course took place in 1971 at the Wingate Institute. Seven years later, Lichtenfeld started the non-profit Israeli Krav Maga Association (IKMA) with several of his senior instructors. When he retired from IKMA, Lichtenfeld nominated Haim Gidon to succeed him as Grand Master and president.
Krav would first be introduced to the wider world in 1981, when six instructors travelled to the US to demonstrate their system, primarily to local Jewish Community Centres.
The New York field office of the FBI would witness some of these training sessions and sent 22 of its officers to Israel in 1981 to attend a basic instructor course. These graduates returned from the US and established training facilities in their local areas.
Over the decade that followed, more and more students travelled from the US to Israel to develop their knowledge. Simultaneously, instructors travelled from Israel to America. In 1985, law enforcement training began and has been continued, with many police departments opting to use the system as their primary hand-to-hand programme.
Nowadays you can find schools opening up in many parts of Europe, Australia and South America. Organizations such as the KMG, IKMF, FEKM, (European Federation of Krav Maga) have proliferated the art across Europe and various other parts of the world. In recent years, films and TV shows such as 24, Taken, NCIS and Archer have been known to feature it in the show. Whilst Krav Maga being utilized by a number of professional organizations such as the IDF, Mossad, Shin Bet, FBI, and DEA has led to increased popularity with civilians also.
Krav Maga or Jiu-Jitsu for Self-Defense? Which is Better & Why
Krav Maga vs Jiu Jitsu – is there one art more effective than the other? This isn’t an easy thing to decide, as both arts are effective, but Krav Maga’s focus on developing situational awareness and instinctive movements, makes it a potent tool for neutralizing threats and escaping from dangerous environments. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is effective at dealing with single unarmed attackers and controlling them without risk of inflicting long-term damage.
Does Training Krav Help My Jiu-Jitsu?
BJJ cross-training with other martial arts is not uncommon. However, most BJJ practitioners tend to train in specific martial arts for different reasons. A BJJ practitioner may find they can hold the dominant position on the ground in order to apply joint locks or strangulation techniques, but getting their opponent to the ground may be the tricky part. If you’re looking to increase your takedown success rate , you might be more likely to incorporate wrestling or judo techniques.
Studying Krav Maga is unlikely to truly improve your Jiu-Jitsu because it looks at self defense from a very broad perspective and not a lot of time is spent on grappling techniques. Unlike Krav Maga, BJJ has no striking techniques, so using groin strikes either in a competition or in friendly sparring sessions is heavily frowned upon!
Some BJJ practitioners may also wish to pursue combat sports competitions beyond BJJ competitions. This is where they may seek classes in different fighting styles, particularly striking martial arts such as boxing, Muay Thai, or kickboxing. If you are intent on training MMA, and are cross-training Krav Maga remember that the Israeli martial art puts no limitation on brutality. You may run the risk of developing muscle memory for strikes banned by most MMA organizations.
Cross-training in Krav Maga and BJJ
If your main focus in your martial arts training is to protect yourself from assailants or in bar or street fights, there are various benefits to training both Krav Maga and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Good Krav Maga instruction equips you with the skills to defend against real-world attackers, whilst a good jiu-jitsu school will give you a great understanding of ground fighting and submissions.
By practicing both arts, you should have a broader toolkit to handle a variety of situations, whether they are life or death, or if you only need to restrain an opponent.
One thing that BJJ excels in over Krav Maga is allowing you to handle an assailant without doing serious damage. Should you find yourself in a physical conflict, it can be beneficial to understand how law enforcement or court officials may react to how you employed throat and groin strikes to brutally incapacitate or even kill an assailant. They may be more favorable if they hear you have used joint locks in order to restrain a would-be attacker.
As Denzel Washington said in one of my favorite movies, Training Day “Do you want to go to jail, or do you want to go home?”
Other benefits include the blend of improved conditioning BJJ provides to cardiovascular stamina and core strength and the explosive speed and power utilized in Krav Maga. This increased physical fitness often comes with increased confidence and mental agility.
These two martial arts should allow you to adapt to a variety of different situations all whilst giving you better stress management skills.
The main downside of practicing both BJJ and Krav Maga is that there is such a high time requirement to get good at both and to master either one of them you will need to be focused.
Does Krav Maga use BJJ?
Going to the ground in a fight puts you at risk of being attacked by multiple assailants and the impact of hard concrete can incur further damage. Consequently, many Krav Maga users would prefer not to go to the ground in a real-life situation.
Despite all this, going to the ground is often inevitable and it’s better to be equipped for such an outcome. As BJJ has some of the most advanced ground fighting techniques in any martial art, it would make sense that Krav Maga incorporates some of these. You may find some of the grappling techniques associated with the grappling martial art in Krav Maga.
One downside is that Krav Maga assumes opponents don’t have any fighting experience, when in reality the popularity of MMA and other events means you might run the risk of encountering someone with fighting skills. It would be beneficial to find an instructor who teaches grappling techniques.
How easy is it to find BJJ and Krav Maga schools around the world?
One thing that might help you decide which art to choose in the Krav Maga vs Jiu-Jitsu debate is availability.
As mentioned previously, over the last two decades, BJJ and Krav Maga have become two of the most popular self defense disciplines in the world. This popularity ensures that you can find gyms all over the world. This availability may fluctuate depending on a few things.
BJJ Schools:
BJJ has experienced a global surge in popularity due to its proven effectiveness in MMA, along with the growth of grappling tournaments.
Major cities and countries with active MMA scenes often have multiple jiu jitsu schools, ranging from traditional Brazilian academies to modern gyms that offer BJJ as part of their curriculum.
In certain parts of the world, you might even find high schools with BJJ classes – this includes the United Arab Emirates for instance.
Successful BJJ gyms will often have medal-winning competitors or high-performing MMA athletes.
Krav Maga Schools:
Krav Maga’s reputation as a practical self-defense system has led to its spread across many countries, including both urban and rural areas.
One thing which may affect the availability of Krav Maga schools is the association with the art and the Israeli Defence Forces. Due to the complicated political situation and many countries in the Middle East having poor relations with Israel, it might be more difficult to find Krav Maga academies.
Due to the commercialization of Krav Maga and certification considered less formal, finding a good Krav Maga gym can be difficult. Unfortunately, the self defense system is sometimes associated with “McDojos” i.e. gyms which are set up purely to make profit at the loss of quality instruction. Do your research as best as you can.
Finding Schools:
Online Search: Probably the most obvious way to find a martial art school in today’s age. Using search engines or social media platforms can help you find nearby jiu-jitsu and Krav Maga academies. Many schools have websites or social media pages where they list their classes, schedules, and contact information.
Martial Arts Directories: If you want to learn Krav Maga or jiu-jitsu, there are online directories and platforms dedicated to listing martial arts schools, which can aid in finding schools near your location.
Check with Gyms: Many gyms offer various fitness classes, including self-defense, boxing, grappling or one-to-one coaching.
BJJ clothing and equipment
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) requires specific clothing and equipment to ensure both safety and proper practice. Here’s a list of essential clothing and gear for a BJJ practitioner:
Gi (Kimono): The traditional uniform worn in BJJ. It consists of a jacket and pants. The gi is made from a durable material that can withstand the rigors of training and features reinforced stitching to resist tearing.
Belt: The belt indicates a practitioner’s rank and progression in BJJ. Beginners start with a white belt, and as they advance, they receive colored belts representing different levels of expertise.
Rashguard: A tight-fitting, moisture-wicking shirt often worn underneath the gi. Rashguards help prevent friction burns and offer protection against skin infections.
Grappling Shorts (No-Gi Shorts): For no-gi training, these shorts offer better mobility and grip compared to regular athletic shorts.
Mouthguard: Protects teeth and reduces the risk of dental injuries during training and sparring.
Spats: Spats protect you from having direct skin-on-skin contact with people. Because of this thin layer the likelihood of you getting something like ringworm is minimized.
More optional items include ear guards to protect you from cauliflower ear guards, athletic tape to secure fingers or joints in training, flip-flops or sandals worn to maintain hygiene in the gym, a good gear bag to carry your uniform, a water bottle to stay hydrated and the usual personal hygiene items such as towel, soap etc.
Your instructor might be the best person to ask about what to bring.
Best choice for fitness
Krav Maga vs Jiu Jitsu which one will keep you fitter? Well, any martial art can be great for developing fitness but if you’re trying to decide which art is best for your own personal fitness, then it will come down to your own personal goals and preferences.
Krav Maga for Fitness:
Krav Maga workouts are often intense and include a combination of striking, defensive maneuvers, and cardio exercises.
The fast-paced nature of Krav Maga training can improve cardiovascular fitness and overall stamina.
Krav Maga emphasizes explosive movements, agility, and core strength, contributing to improved functional fitness.
BJJ for Fitness:
BJJ training involves controlled sparring (rolling) sessions that provide a full-body workout.
BJJ requires muscular strength, flexibility, and mental focus, enhancing overall physical fitness.
Rolling sessions can be physically demanding, improving cardiovascular endurance and promoting weight loss.
BJJ’s technical aspect engages both body and mind, making it a challenging and rewarding fitness option.
You may find that you want to incorporate running, swimming, weights and other activities into your own training and you might be able to get some great advice from your coaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can BJJ beat Krav Maga?
So Krav Maga vs Brazilian Jiu Jiu Jitsu – who wins? Well, you might as well ask how long is a piece of string. When deciding whether BJJ can beat Krav Maga, you have to look at the context – outside of a ring or cage, martial artists are rarely going to be fighting each other. Training martial arts requires discipline and thoughtfulness. Most coaches discourage using the techniques learned unless they absolutely have to, so the notion of one art “beating” the other doesn’t necessarily apply. Both jiu-jitsu and Krav Maga are effective in their own domains and practitioners of either art should be able to defend themselves in a variety of different scenarios.
Is it possible for a BJJ fighter to defeat a Krav Maga user in a street fight? Yes. Is it possible for a Krav Maga user to defeat a jitz guy? Of course. There are too many variables that could affect the situation, such as size, weight, physical conditioning, the environment, and weapons available.
Should I take BJJ or Krav Maga?
What do you want from a martial art? If you want an art specifically designed for real-world self-defense that develops instinctual responses, situational awareness, weapons training, and aggression, Krav Maga is the answer. If you want an art designed for fighting on the ground which can be a great hobby and fantastic in the world of combat sports, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the answer. Why not try a Krav Maga class and see if it appeals, and if not, try the grappling art!
Is Krav Maga useful in a street fight?
Have you been paying attention? Krav Maga’s adaptability, simplicity, efficiency realistic training, improved situational awareness, mindset, and weapons defense make good Krav Maga instruction phenomenal for a street fight. A good Krav syllabus will provide you with a complete combat system, great for self-defense.
