tl,dr: Krav Maga kicks ass, IKM kicks ass teaching it - the students of IKM love their school and you should find out why I'll preface the following by saying I am not too experienced in writing reviews. That being said, I felt compelled to write one for International Krav Maga (IKM Gabi Noah System - NY). Why Krav? [Skip if you're familiar] My reasons for seeking out a self-defense and martial arts program were simple: functional fitness, protecting myself and loved ones, becoming empowered, and having fun while doing it. I had to do some digging for the best discipline to meet my needs but I finally settled on Krav Maga (Hebrew for Contact Combat) after doing some online research for the most effective combat system (because it is) (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kr...). I wanted an effective and complete/mixed system that trains in real-world situations. In picking a one-dimensional discipline (like Boxing) or competition-style martial arts (like BJJ) you are limiting your scope of knowledge and effectiveness outside of your domain. No one plays by the rules in the street. Being an unwilling participant in a couple of street fights and bar brawls, I am painfully aware of that reality. In this regard, I needed a discipline that would give me the skills and techniques to react to scenarios like these. Krav distinguishes itself by teaching you defense against weapons, defense against multiple attackers, and third-party protection. The best part for me is that it is not rigid: you are given techniques that you can adapt according any scenario. In fact, you are encouraged to modify these techniques to attack|counter-attack quickly, aggressively, and efficiently. The take-home message, which is important especially if you live in a city such as New York, is situational awareness and fast-reaction. Many times the best option is to escape or avoid being placed in a dangerous situation. If this all appeals to you, I strongly suggest you look into IKM-NY. IKM-NY is the best Looking for the best "Krav School" I finally decided to take a chance on IKM-NY once I came across a Groupon. I signed up for the Union Square location (the best location there is) and was instantly hooked. The format of the classes vary but you can expect in a single session to have a dynamic warm up, icebreaker and awareness drills, technique introduction and breakdown, technique practice, and a "finisher" drill meant to tax your muscles and cognitive processing. One thing you'll learn is when you are pushed to your limits and near-fatigued you will rely on your aggression to "survive" a scenario. Again, Krav is meant to be an effective and efficient method of self-defense in real-world situations. Maybe you're drunk or coming off a 12-hr shift and are suddenly faced with an inescapable confrontation. IKM will give you training you can trust, the technical know-how, and the conditioning to support it. A note on the conditioning - be prepared to sweat! The boot camp style classes will definitely motivate you. Some days you just don't want to do anything, let alone go workout. IKM's instructors and your peers will definitely get you pumped and you'll soon forget every having felt that way. I look forward to each class. And for those of you trying to lose weight - this is perfect. Most gym routines fail because of a lack of motivation (both intrinsic and extrinsic) and variety. The social aspect alone is worth signing up (read: Union Square is the best location). You'll find a close and accepting community of peers from all walks of life that you'll come to love. The students recently organized a Paintball trip with Zamiri, one of the instructors for IKM and it was a blast (ask about Union Square's birthday tradition when you take a class)! I don't know other schools that can say that their students initiate and organize events outside of class - or create awesome videos (go check them out on their facebook page: facebook.com/IKM.KRAVMAG...). If you take nothing else from this review it is this: the students of IKM NY love their school and you should find out why. The instructors themselves (ikmkravmaga.us/internati...) are amazing. Each has their own distinct style that you'll come to love and hate simultaneously. Unless of course you're a masochist - in which case welcome to the club, you'll love it. The organization has a great support staff (especially Cameron!) that will help you resolve any issues. They regularly include special workshops and events (like a kick-ass Rooftop Bar Fight) to supplement instruction and encourage social interaction. Everyone is down to earth (and humorous) which you will find is a great addition to the instruction. So, all in all IKM exceeded my expectations and goals. Check them out! Take a trial class and tell them Victor sent you. I'll be the tall kid with messy hair that looks like he just stepped out of the shower. read more

Short version: Training with Krav Maga Experts remains unequivocally the best decision I've made regarding not only my physical fitness, but my personal safety and self-confidence as well. You should definitely join. Now. Do it! Our instructors are the definition of high-caliber human beings. I'm so fortunate to be constantly exposed to real-world role models, people whose achievements and attitude I badly want to model my future on. They are creative, intelligent, and kind. They are also incredibly capable and fast, and they fight with intense aggression and dedication. Our instructors will motivate you to WORK. They will push you past whatever you thought your limit was. They'll tell you, "You're not as breakable as you think you are!" And they'll be right. They will ask you to give 110%, and you will do your damnedest to deliver. Every time I'm there, I find myself doing things I "can't do." Personal reflections: I don't know if it's possible to write a review that truly does justice to the incredible powerhouse that is Krav Maga Experts, but I hope this begins to express what a positive force it has become in my life. After surviving a sexual assault, and (for all intents and purposes) losing the subsequent four years to unrelenting fear and depression, I was searching desperately for some structure, a formalized sense of having a safe place in the world. On July 1st, 2014, I started training at KME's UWS location (the main hub). I wasn't consciously aware of it at the time, but when I walked through their door I had found my safe place. When it comes to learning krav maga, you get out of it what you put into it. I've been training roughly seven days a week for almost nine months, and I've come a long way in that time. I'm in the best shape I've ever been in. I've learned how to escape from chokeholds, fight up from a supine position underneath an attacker, and throw punches and elbows like it's nobody's business. I'm learning how to defend against attacks with a knife, a pistol, and a baton/baseball bat. AND I CAN DO PULL UPS! WHAAAT! *Ahem* Sorry, got a little overexcited for a second there. Once you're hooked on krav maga, you'll develop an enormous reservoir of confidence and self-knowledge/respect. A month or two later you'll REALIZE that you've developed an enormous reservoir of confidence and self-knowledge/respect. You will speak of krav incessantly to your friends (and anyone else who will listen), in your home and on your way, when you lie down and when you rise up. If you're anything like me, you'll find yourself shadowboxing between columns while you wait for the subway. Like a champ! Get your butt over to KME. I'm looking forward to seeing you there (: read more

I would easily give more stars if possible! KME has not only been a great way for my wife and I to add self defense techniques to our toolkit, but has also really impacted our lives for the better. Living in NYC you never know what can happen, worst case, becoming a victim. I decided to look into self defense class particularly Krav Maga (which translates to "Contact Combat"), after my wife had a terrifying run in with a male neighbor of ours while I was away on business, luckily our 60 pound pit-bull was at her side and drove the would be attacker away. After the incident I noticed that my wife seemed to have lost much of her confidence and was even afraid to leave the apartment alone. I did a little research and was easily able to figure out that Krav Maga Experts NYC was going to be our best bet as neither of us had any martial arts backgrounds. We first did a private session with Tsahi and we were instantly hooked! We now are enrolled with all access memberships and easily get in 5-6 group sessions per week, and are loving it and the results! All of the KME staff members and instructors are well trained and it is clear that safety is their number one priority. I can say with confidence that whether you are a beginner or a straight up warrior, that the all levels classes are a great workout and are also so much fun (that is if you are the type of person that can personally commit to the this system, and are willing to follow instructions). Now I know this review is a bit long winded, but I am that impressed. I also want to point out that going into this I was mostly doing it to support my partner, but had issues of my own... I am 31 years old and over the past few years my doctor has been giving me grief about my high blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol, etc. We have been with KME for about a year now and I am down 25lbs (with no dieting), and my blood pressure etc. are where they need to be!! Not only am I happy with these results, but so is my doctor. If you are reading this to help make the choice to check it out, just do it! This is much more than a self defense program, it can be part of a positive lifestyle change. read more

I was at IKM Krav Maga NY for a few months and LOVED IT! All of the instructors are amazing- in addition to being experts in the field, they have great personalities and are all outgoing, funny and friendly. Even at my first class they made an effort to know my name and make me feel comfortable. IKM offers Krav classes where students of all levels are combined, and twice a week they have classes where each level is separate. Classes are always interesting and exciting because each class is different with creative warm ups and new techniques. When techniques are repeated, you have a chance to improve by practicing and correcting your form. IKM tries to simulate realistic scenarios by tiring you out with exercise drills and then having your partner attack you when your eyes are closed and you are not expecting it. IKM also offers Brazilian Jujitsu 2x a week (great class and knowledgeable, patient instructor), conditioning 3x a week (killer workout!!), and yoga once a week. Also, twice a week they have women only Krav classes. These classes are excellent because they focus on women defenses such as against hair pulls/purse grabs/chokes/etc. Even if you only go to one Krav class, you will leave with valuable life skills. You will learn to be more aware and avoid dangerous situations, and you will also have a few useful tools- one of the main ones is "figure 4" where you get up from the ground to a standing position without using your hands or turning your back to the attacker. It is better to have the knowledge/skills and never need them than to need them even once and not know what to do. I give this place the highest possible review. The instructors and students are the best- it's such a warm community. Come to IKM NY!! read more

I am surprised to see that anyone has given KME such low ratings. This is the age of the internet, so looking up what Krav Maga is beforehand is not that much of an ordeal. Neither is calling KME and inquiring about specific classes, what to expect in them, and how pricing works. I went into a trial class knowing that I would immediately sign up for a membership afterwards. Let's be honest: no one is born knowing self defense tactics right off the bat. Everyone definitely has the potential, but the techniques and skills are acquired through learning. A trial class is not going to suffice in teaching you everything you want to learn in an hour. Get the membership, and embrace the pricing that is offered at that moment. It is worth it. The instructors are all very encouraging and supportive. Think about it this way: they've all gone through years/decades of learning this themselves, and are imparting this knowledge onto the students. They are very good at detecting everyone's strengths and weaknesses, and will not admonish anyone for not being able to do certain things. It is a very reassuring environment. I've been going back and forth between the Union Square and Upper West Side locations and have always had positive experiences. Anyone complaining about the "smell" of the place: this is Manhattan. The whole island smells. Being in a room with a group of humans who WILL sweat to a certain extent is expected, and in my opinion- the least harrowing thing to have to deal with in terms of your olfactory senses. Crack open a window. No one will stop you. I am REALLY grateful to have come across KME, its instructors, the admin staff, and all the incredible people that I get to learn with in each and every class that I attend. read more

A couple years ago I typed "self-defense" into Google, searching for a way to empower a group of women on my campus, many of which had suffered from various forms of domestic and sexual violence. Through my search I found Krav Maga Experts and the rest is history. A little while after collaborating with KME, I decided to go back and personally dedicate myself to the classes. The difference it has made is hard to put into words. Through Krav Maga I have found a type of empowerment that has changed me as a person both physically and mentally. The instructors are all so dedicated to pushing you to become not only a better practitioner of Krav Maga, but also a better version of yourself. Over my time at the studio I have noticed that as you put more into it, what you get out of it grows exponentially. For me it has become an addiction! The positive energy that fills up the studio pushes you to achieve things you never thought you could before. Many others have written here that they "cannot stop going back," and it is 100% the truth. Once you get hooked you cannot stop coming to the classes. The knowledge that each instructor is able to impart on their students in class is amazing and their professionalism goes unmatched. So here you find yourself on Yelp reading a review just as I had found myself on Google a couple years ago. The best advice I can give to you is to go for it! Krav Maga Experts has taken me down a route that has transformed my lifestyle into a healthier and more positive one. I hope to see you there. :) read more

I have been training with Tsahi Shemesh and the other IKM NY instructors for over a year now, and it has been an amazing experience, both practically and emotionally. Krav Maga is not just a way to prepare for those rare moments of real danger; it's a way of overcoming fear and insecurity, and gaining the confidence to handle high-stress situations efficiently, whether they're physical or mental. The IKM instructors especially avoid any pop-culture machismo and aggression in their teaching, and focus instead on developing fundamental skills and an effective mindset. Tsahi, who I've had the most experience with, is unbelievably attentive to his students and their progress. His training produces a visible and rapid change in the skill-level of IKM students, and he genuinely cares about preparing students for real-world situations. In general, the classes have a great communal atmosphere, and the instructors bring a high level of energy and humor to each session without undermining its importance. After having dealt with the psychological effects of a street attack, I can honestly say that training in Krav Maga is one of the most important decisions I've made, and I can't imagine that anyone who would pay for medical insurance, life insurance, and car insurance wouldn't want to pay for the insurance of their personal safety. Seriously, I can't recommend this place enough--take a trial class and see for yourself! read more

Incredible workout & life-saving self defense skills! It all started when my brother bought me a gift card a couple of months ago and convinced me to take self defense classes before I leave the country for my trip to South America in December 2018. I used the credit for a private session with Tsahi, and it has become my new healthy addiction, immediately. He had such a creative way to get me engaged with something that was so foreign to me. I never thought I could enjoy the concept of fighting. After this one private session, I discovered that I can actually enjoy this. Tsahi put me through some tough drills and made me feel a great sense of achievement when we were done. I signed up for 10 more Krav Maga session right after my first class, and now Krav Maga became a part of my lifestyle. It's a lot more than just fighting. Like my instructor says: "It's about self-love, you're worth fighting for". I highly recommend Krav Maga Experts to anyone seeking for a life change, gain skills, self-confidence or even just lose weight. This is a life changing experience, if you are looking for a positive change, that's the best place to start. read more

My curiosity and a groupon let me to start Krav Maga. It's been 1 yr since i have joined IKM Krav Maga , and must admit there is nothing im more passionate about. Besides becoming a Handy skill for anyone, specially women in NY, it is a great work out (specially conditioning classes) that helps boost health as well as confidence for every aspect of life. It fine tunes our own instincts , making individuals more aware not only of surrounding but of oneself. I believe most of these is achieve thanks to every member of staff, not just instructors. They are all highly motivated , have a great attitude as well as professionalism, they are all talented and each one brings something extra to the training, but all of them are caring for the students ,specially if someone has a particular problem with a technique, they dont mind going over it individually, all in a very respectful and friendly non judgmental environment. I agree with Mal B to most of Us at IKM/Krav Maga NY, this is like a second home, that i miss when i go away and im happy to go back to! read more

THIS IS THE MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR if... YOU WANT TO GET IN SHAPE Push-ups, sit-ups, squats, crunches, planks, running, boxing, grappling --- and that's just the warm up. Class will kick your a$$. Seriously. You will sweat in places you didn't even know you had sweat glands. YOU LIKE VARIETY There are multiple classes, two locations, and several fantastic instructors so you'll have lots of options so you can keep switching it up. YOU WANT TO WIN THE HUNGER GAMES Just kidding! This school is big on safety so no one's going to throw you in with District 2, but you will train HARD to make sure you'll be ready in case you ever have to throw down for yourself or someone you love. Krav Maga is based on your body's instinctual response to aggression so you'll learn super-pragmatic techniques for an endless list of potential attacks. How practical does this school get? Multiple attackers coming at you with weapons. 'Nuff said. One last bit of advice: sign up for the year-long membership. Trust me. You'll be kicking yourself if you don't. read more

Johny Maintenance Engineer at Fisher Brothers Real Estate'''''''''' I had an incident about 2 weeks ago coming out of a club. I got into an altercation with a few guys and it got a little violent. first thing I did was get into my self defense position and get ready for combat. I was hit, and I hit back but at the moment of getting into a fight is very different than class because your in a live situation were almost anything can happen and things can be fast intense and dangerous. I have to say that the few times I went to class, I felt I i can hold my ground thanks to Tsahi and Carlos training and the rest of the team prepare you to be ready, I honestly have to say it was not very comfortable moment what I went through, or neither can I say I am an expert, but the short time I felt prepared for any phisical problem I encounter and thanks to IKM I feel more confident. I'm still in classes and will get better. IKM = real deal. read more

Are you thinking about getting into shape, and/or learning how to defend yourself? If your answer is yes to either, do yourself a big favor and come see what IKM NY can offer you. The highly skilled team of instructors, Tsahi/Carlos/Michael/Gil, will introduce you to an extremely practical and efficient system of self-defense that benefits rookies(no martial training) and long-time, practicing martial artists, alike. I've gotten to know each of the instructors on a friendly level over the past few months and every one of them is a good guy who loves what he does and, trust me, it comes through loud and clear during each and every class. As I said before, do yourself a favor and come by to see what IKM Krav Maga is all about. read more

My 8 year old son has been attending class at IKM since 2012 and loves it!! The instructors are both professional, knowledgeable and courteous. the classes are effective and instructive and instill self confidence as well as discipline and fitness. My son is convinced he will become a ninja :-) He also had his birthday party there recently and his friends loved the class and venue. The IKM staff was extremely helpful setting up the party and helping in cleaning up as well. I would recommend IKM to anyone looking to get into shape and learn the best system for self defense for anyone: kids to adults, men and women alike. IKM is by far the best Krav Maga school in NYC. read more

Krav Maga Experts has changed my life. I know that's a little dramatic, but it's true. The instructors are amazing and supportive, and push you just far enough to help you improve as fast as possible without breaking you. After a year of training, I feel super empowered, and even though I know I have a long way to go, I know I could put up a good fight if I got in trouble. Definitely take Fit to Fight with Carlos, it's ridiculously hard but so worth it. Take weapons with Raz. Whenever you can get a class or private with Tsahi or Kira, definitely do that too. Actually, all of the instructors rock! Just start coming! Now! Do it!! You'll be happy you did. read more

I have been going to KME for about 6 months now and I love it! I can see marked improvement in, not only my technical skills, but also my fitness level. The instructors are extremely knowledgeable and they do make sure that everybody gets individual attention. They are always available to help you with a drill or with your technique. The other students are also very helpful and easy to talk to. I've taken over 10 different classes here and I have loved each and every one of them. I would definitely recommend KME if you are experienced or a complete beginner like I was. read more

ra First off I love your staff, the instructors are amazing (including yourself). Your level of training is very intense. I enjoy your teaching methods and the sense of humor you bring to the class. Krav maga is not just a hobby,its my life. I enjoy every second of it, krav maga brings that innerself out of me,it creates an indescribable joy (kicking someones ass lol) that I can not explain. I love your gym and best believe your style of teaching and your blood is in my vains. I admire you and respect you! My sensei(tsahi shemeshi) read more

I just began private training recently and have loved every second of it. My instructor made me do things that I NEVER thought I could do, in such a short period. That's a great prof of professionalism. It's a nice feeling to walk into this gym, people smiling and friendly. The HIGHLIGHT is that I often get to workout next to celebrities and movie stars :) Everything about this place makes you want to keep coming back! I highly recommend coming if you are serious about Krav Maga and being tested to your limit. read more

I found the IKM NY after a long research and I heard a lot about Gabi Noah so came for a trial class a few weeks ago and was very impressed by the instructors. Everyone were very helpful and made me and the rest of the new students feel very welcomed and comfortable. The classes are very well structured and it feels like they really knows what they are doing! Amazingly I had a great luck and actually participated Mr. Gabi Noah's workshop at this school and I got addicted! Refael read more

Great work-out, great environment, very friendly instructors and overall staff. I personally recommend Krav maga to everyone I know, it's a skill for life and everyone should understand the importance of being aware of your surroundings and know how ta act fast in case a threat presents itself, and this place gives you the ability to develop these most important skills. Five stars! read more