Krav Maga Institute NYC

I am updating my review with a sad heart. I canceled my membership in September 2015 as I could not go anymore, and I got charged after the cancellation, and only accidentally discovered on my credit card balance. The owner offered reimbursement almost 2.5 month ago and after repeated emails and promises it just never arrived. I am wringing this review with a heavy heart as I love Krav and the people there but when it comes to handling money, people often discussed similar experiences in the shower after a good workout to mine. It’s just bad business practice to let long time customers live with such bad feelings. I did want to come back earlier, but it will surely not happen as the last thing I will always recall is being cheated :(((I hope that this review will help to change business practices going forward.

I’d like to echo the other positive reviews here. I find that the classes are very well organized and the techniques are extremely practical. I’ve learned more here in 5 classes than in 15 at other places. The classes are not much of a workout but I appreciate the focus on technique here. Instructors and students are great.

Learning Krav Maga has been one of the most self empowering thing I’ve ever done for myself. In this world full of crazy people, you never know what kind of situation you can get yourself into even when you are very cautious with your actions and surroundings. It’s always good to be prepared and Krav has helped me be more confident with myself when it comes to handling myself in real life situation.
So why KMI? I don’t believe in settling. I have tried a few other Krav Maga places and KMI is the real deal. Their classes are very organized and all the instructions that I have trained with in class are very good at what they do. They also make sure to give each and every person the attention they need to do the techniques correctly.
I’ve been training for a few months now and I don’t intend to stop. I definitely recommend everyone to join the KMI family. You wouldn’t regret it.

Signing up for KMI is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Having trained in Tae Kwon Do and boxing, I was itching to learn another form of martial arts. I quickly decided that I simply wanted to learn how to handle myself in real world situations where rules don’t apply. That’s when I discovered Krav Maga. After hours of researching schools in NYC, I had decided that KMI was for me. I’m now 2.5 years into it.
Each and every one of the instructors are extremely professional, carry positive attitudes, are clear with directions, and highly skilled with techniques. They mold the experience to suit your needs and experience level. They are also normal, likable and down-​to-​earth people who you can easily befriend.
The other students in the school are also fantastic people and very easy to get along with. They span all professions and age ranges and there’s a good mix of both men and women.
The stuff you learn in class is challenging yet extremely practical. You can apply just about everything you learn in the real world for a variety of situations… knife attacks, gun attacks, rape situations, muggings, etc. These are, of course, things you don’t ever want to encounter, but the school does an excellent job at preparing you for it if it ever does.
KMI also offers a variety of class types so that you can get a good all-​around workout ranging from cardio classes, fighting, kettle bell, elite military fitness and the standard classes where you focus on technique. There are also locations all over Manhattan which makes it super convenient.
If you want to be challenged, get a good workout, and learn how to handle yourself on the street, sign up for KMI. It’s hands down one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.

I leave every class with a huge smile on my face. I’ve been training a couple of times a week for about 6 – 7 months and these classes are not just a great workout but they are an awesome and practical way to stay safe in this crazy world. None of the spiritual stuff that I’ve come across in other martial arts, just super practical and simple moves that anyone can do — there is no wrong answer type stuff. Men and women of all ages can do this and it’s great to stay in shape while learning how to protect yourself and people around you. Highly recommend this!

I have been training with Krav Maga Institute for the past year and a half. Like several other commenters, I was interested in learning self-​defense and found KMI on Groupon. I decided to try it out, and got a membership after the first week! I can’t imagine a better Krav Maga organization
I have thoroughly enjoyed every class, gotten in great shape, gained confidence, met really fun people, and have learned a ton about defending myself. As a woman, I was really pleased to find that KMI didn’t have the hyper-​masculine, aggressive, competitive atmosphere of many martial arts classes. Instead, the students are a really diverse group– all ages, weights, genders, races, and levels of athleticism; and are very friendly and welcoming. There is really great sense of community within the organization, which sets it apart from other programs.
The KMI instructors are the main reason this organization is incredible. They are knowledgeable, approachable, and supportive. They are demanding, but they don’t bring a lot of ego to their instruction. They’ll answer questions, and go over moves as many times as you need, in a supportive, encouraging way. The tone of the classes, while intense and physically demanding is completely inclusive and not uncomfortably competitive.
I look forward to the Krav Maga classes all week, and always leave them feeling exhausted, but amazing! It is an great work out, of empowering and practical self-​defense techniques, with really awesome people… what else could you ask for?

I knew I wanted to pursue Krav Maga and after a lot of research I found a Groupon for the Krav Maga Institute. They had a lot of positive reviews, and I figured it would be a good way to «test them out.» Well, I haven’t left and haven’t even thought of that since! They have thoughtful and dedicated instructors who are motivating and make class fun. They have a number of locations, which makes getting to class easier. I’m learning so much while getting a great work out, and I feel more equipped to handle myself. Honestly I feel like my brain is stimulated as well as my body after every class. it’s a fun and exciting challenge that always keeps me on my toes. I truly feel like I learn so much after each and every class. After the initial five classes from the Groupon I signed up for a monthly membership and haven’t looked back! I love the works out and I feel great for what I’m gaining and learning. There’s also a strong sense of community among everyone that goes which only adds to the positivity and advantages of training with them.
Everyone at this company is super caring and helpful. Honestly. They know their stuff and after interacting with them, you know they care about you as a student — not just a customer. If you are considering Krav Maga in the city — GO TO KMI! You won’t regret it!

Probably the BEST Krav Maga school in NYC, if not the country. The things that I’ve learned here in just two years have been invaluable, and all of the instructors have brought their unique styles and perspectives to really make this unique. Instructors will contour their lessons to fit each student’s needs/​skills, while maintaining a strong focus and direction. Beyond learning the skill of Krav Maga, KMI also teaches awareness, safety in training, and physical conditioning.
As someone who has studied several other martial arts, I’ve stuck with Krav the longest because of the immediate return and practicality of it. Krav is not just a martial art; it is self-​defense at the highest level but preaches it as a last resort. Like any trained fighter will tell you, nobody studies martial arts/​self defense as a means to attack but to prevent and disable.
I would definitely recommend checking the school out (there are numerous locations throughout the city and more opening up in other boroughs soon) with different times and levels to fit in with your schedule. Try a class or two — tell them Tony sent you!

I’ve studied and tried a bunch of different forms of martial arts throughout my life. Hands down Krav Maga with KMI has been the best.
The training is the most effective, efficient, and challenging I’ve ever experienced. But that isn’t what makes these guys the best: The instructors are amazing. The instructors are enthusiastic, motivating, and really know their stuff.
I tried this school after training at another Krav school for a couple of months. I actually left the induction class with KMI thinking it was the best class I’ve ever taken. They make everything fun and interesting, it’s not just repetitive boot camp drills. The training incorporates real-​life scenarios and practical techniques. Unlike other martial arts and self-​defense systems, there isn’t strict hierarchy; the older students are open to help from anyone else, the new students are encouraged to take on advanced techniques from the start. The instructors are open to questions and will always stop to break things down for you if you don’t understand.
I couldn’t recommended it enough.

I saw a promo on LivingSocial for 5 classes at Krav Maga Institute, and I thought I’d give it a try. That was about 1.5 years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since!
I had previously trained in Muay Thai and had done my own research of other martial arts out there: capoeira, boxing, Brazilian Jiujitsu, MMA… all great martial arts, each with advantages and disadvantages, but I felt that Krav Maga was the one that checked all the boxes for me.
Among the strengths of Krav Maga that resonated with me were: (1) It’s a highly practical self-​defense system. (2) It’s easy to learn and you can be effective from even just the basic training. (3) It teaches striking, getting out of holds (chokes, headlocks, bear hugs, etc.), and surviving once the fight ends up on the ground, whereas the other martial arts focus only on one or two of the three. (4) The emphasis on awareness and surviving real-​life scenarios, such as multiple attackers and being in a street/​bar fight. (5) When the situation requires, it encourages the use of high level of aggression and employing all means (i.e. even stuff considered illegal under competition «rules») with the goal of getting home safely and live another day.
In terms of teaching Krav Maga, KMI is absolutely top-​notch. The instructors are among the very best and highly-​ranked instructors in North America and are affiliated with IKMF, the largest Krav Maga organization in the world. They are also incredibly patient and incredibly detail oriented, so students like myself are able to truly learn under an encouraging and positive atmosphere. Speaking of students, there is so much camaraderie, support and friendliness inside and outside of classes that I can truly say that the institute is one big Krav Maga family! I’ve met a lot of interesting people at KMI and making new friends in the process is icing on the cake.
I also love that there are several locations available (Downtown, Midtown and Upper West Side) and there are classes almost every day of the week, so it is easy to fit classes into my busy schedule. The prices are also very competitive compared to other places, plus with the amount of hard-​core cardio and conditioning involved in each class, I don’t feel the need to enroll in a gym any more. All in all, I’m glad to be a part of the KMI family and I just wish I had discovered it sooner!

A year ago when I first started Krav Maga at KMI, I had intended to take only a few classes and thought that once I had learned the basics of how to defend myself I thought that I would stop. That was not the case at all. I went through my introductory 5 class Group On package in the first month that I started taking these classes.
Then I joined the monthly membership and started taking up to 4 classes per week. The main thrill for me is learning the skills and techniques to get myself out of life threatening situations.
Virtually any situation that can put yourself and others at risk, you can defend yourself against and these moves don’t necessarily require brute force. This is great for someone like me, a small petite woman. It’s empowering to know that I can learn to take down a much larger man with a few simple and effective moves.
The best part is that the instructors are extremely dedicated to helping you learn the moves properly. They won’t let you take short cuts but at the same time they will be patient and encouraging if you are struggling with the moves. This has really become my Krav Maga family and is something I would recommend to anyone interested in learning self-​defense.

I’m just a beginner, having been a student at the excellent Krav Maga Institute for a little over a year now. The other day I came across this brief article on reasons to learn Krav:
Some of the author’s comments seem to agree with my own experience, e.g., «After a couple weeks I thought I was Jason Bourne. After a couple months I realized that I wasn’t.» Lol, I don’t think it took me that long to realize that I wasn’t! Jason Bourne? Heck, I’m not even sure that I’m better at Krav than Jason Robards (and he is dead). No disrespect to Mr. Robards, RIP.
There are, however, a few things that I’m sure about in connection with my own Krav Maga experience: (1) I’m in better shape now than at any other time in my life. (2) I’ve met some really great people doing Krav. I can’t say enough positive things about my instructors and fellow students at KMI. (3) I do believe that I’m more capable of protecting myself and my family as a result of my training. Just to be clear, I’m simply claiming to be better prepared than I was a year ago. I’m definitely no «badass» as suggested by the author’s first item — jackass, maybe, but certainty not a badass, at least not yet! ;) (4) Krav seems to attract a good share of heavy metal fans. This is great for me since I love metal and my more youthful classmates often introduce me to bands that might otherwise fly under the radar of this middle-​aged father of two! (5) Did I mention that Krav is a blast? I’ve never had so much fun getting in shape. I never liked sports or exercise as kid, but I really look forward to my Krav classes!