Imagine you are walking down a street when out of nowhere a stranger approaches, threatens you with a gun and demands all of your money.
How would you react?
We learned how to combat the surprise attack at Innovative Martial Arts, which teaches Krav Maga. “It’s using instinct rather than techniques that require strength,” says Tom Johnson, owner and instructor, while showing students how to grab the gun, punch the attacker and attempt to flee.
Who it’s for: Whether you are interested in self-defense techniques or are looking for a cardio workout, this class is for you. Be prepared to practice your moves on a partner because there is a lot of role playing.
What it’s like: The first part of class is designed to teach students to anticipate the unexpected by memorizing reflexive movements by blocking the tags of classmates who are running around the room trying to touch your arms and knees.
As you try to grab and keep from being grabbed, the instructor adds another challenge, commanding students to enter defense mode by sprawling to the ground, then getting back up and attacking.
Students practice strength training when they pair up, assume push-up position, do a push-up, then try to punch and maintain their balance.
“Keep going,” Johnson says, as students give up. “When you are fighting, you’re going to get tired. Breathe through it.”
And that concludes the warm-up.
The rest of the class is spent role playing, where we learned how to punch and kick and apply it to instances when an attacker may approach using a choke hold, a stick-up or a sucker punch.
Fun factor: Not only do you learn techniques that could save your life, but you also get to practice on people.
We learned it pays to move fast and stay focused because we took a couple of good hits to the throat, side of the head and chin.
How long does it take to break a sweat? All the running and falling to the floor combined with punches, kicks and other drills had us sweating within the first 10 minutes of class.
The morning after: Other than some tight hamstrings, we were feeling pretty good. Some of the students bragged of their bruises, but we didn’t have any black and blue to sport.
Information: Krav Maga classes at Innovative Martial Arts (inside Mahany’s Gym), 1961 S. Havana St.; 720-276-9627 or visit
