How Long It Takes to Learn Krav Maga

People who are interested in learning Krav Maga typically ask, “How long will it take for me to learn the fighting style?” While there’s no definite answer, there are several factors you can consider when estimating the amount of time you’ll spend in mastering the discipline. Read on to find out more about them.

The Grading System

There are 3 grading systems within the discipline: practitioner, graduate, and expert. Civilians who are completely new are classified into the first division. Meanwhile, individuals at the graduate level are instructors, and those in the expert grade are usually affiliated with the police and military.

The civilian training program is divided into 5 levels. Each one teaches specific skills and techniques that build upon principles from the previous stages.

How Long It Takes to Learn the Discipline

Your progress will depend on your fitness level and training regimen. Those scheduled to attend classes once a week will take longer to be proficient than those doing it more often.

Below are the levels in the practitioner grade. If you have an average fitness level and you train consistently 2-3 times a week, you’re expected to master these ranks after at least 40 months.

Level 1
This is where you learn about the fundamentals of self-defense, like striking your opponent effectively and putting them off balance. Expect a lot of muscle memory and gross motor skills training, as mastering your movements will help you create appropriate responses in times of need. Most students get ready to move on to the higher ranks after around 4 months of taking classes.

Level 2
This level is where things get serious. You’re expected to perform at an intermediate level while honing your previously acquired skills. At this point, you’ll also learn advanced kicks, chokes, punches, defenses, counterattacks, headlocks, and bear hugs. You’ll be spending an additional 6 months to master this rank.

Level 3
Learning about disarming your opponent is a huge part of this level. Tackling an assailant with a knife or gun takes so much more caution and precision than handling an unarmed person. At this stage, you’ll not only acquire skills that help you defend yourself but also gain responsibility for protecting others from armed attackers. Expect to finish this course in 9 months.

Level 4
After completing the previous stage, get ready for a 9- to 12-month training course for level 4. You’ll be learning about handling multiple assailants and dealing with them if you’re knocked down on the ground. This phase requires a lot of dedication and hard work, so be prepared to spend a significant amount of time practicing.

Level 5
This is where you’ll refine everything you’ve learned from the previous stages. You have to polish your self-defense techniques against physical offenses, weaponized attacks, and multiple assailants for a minimum of 12 months. It will also emphasize on holds, throws, and switch kicks, which aren’t given much attention in the earlier levels. Mastering this rank is the ultimate goal for practitioners, as it’s the highest level of training a civilian can get.

Taking Krav Maga classes in NYC will be your first step toward better self-defense skills. You can learn about the fundamentals in a relatively short while, but you need years of practice to improve yourself in all aspects of the discipline. Your level of mastery will depend on how much time and effort you put into training. Get in touch with Krav Maga Institute NYC to start your journey today.