Krav Maga is Self Defense, Fighting and Fitness all in One

I don’t necessarily agree its the most devastating martial art in the world (I think all arts are devastating if applied correctly) or that Karate or other arts are simply “sports”, there are спорт aspects to all of them (including Krav Maga as you wear protection in all out striking scenarios) but at the core the desire is to defend yourself from attackers at whatever means.  There is nothing new in Krav Maga that is not in any of the other arts.What is in Krav Maga though it brings forth the premise of “any means necessary” to the forefront more often then most.  This is what martial arts is about – you walk away and your attacker does not.  For example MMA is great and fighting in MMA is about as close as your going to get to a real fight in terms of striking and grappling, but there are rules (limited strikes in certain positions, limited targets, time limits, etc…).  In the art I practice, there are no rules except be alive at the end.  Gouging the eyes, striking the groin, crushing the adams apple, breaking the neck, hyperextending/breaking joints, and so forth are all part of the plan along with your more regular punches, kicks, elbows, and backfists.  Obviously we don’t spar at this level, but groin strikes are legal in sparring, I have had 13 stitches on my eyebrow, fractured ribs, and so forth so its not always “points fghting” either.  In my art you have to be able to ramp up to the highest level of effort as fast as possible, so the Krav Maga mentality of “getting this over” is there already as well.  Granted Krav Maga practices this more often, its part of every class whereas Karate has Kata and other items to master.  And before you write off Kata, what people miss about Kata is that its the answers to the test, its up to you (and your instructors) to figure out the questions, if you explore what is going on in the kata you learn new ways to handle familiar situations, especially as you grow in your art.  Perhaps better ways for your body type or style to use over the already prepackaged responses taught to you. So there is a continuous growth mechanism attached to the self defense, making it a life long journey to master.  I also believe working Kata like we work Kata helps with building balance, coordination, and even conditions the body to deliver powerful strikes (ever stood in a low horse stance for over 30 minutes?  You will never fight from that stance, but it its an isometric leg conditioning exercise, as well as a mental exercise).  And all of this is coming from a guy who loves the self defense side of my art MUCH more then Kata, I am more martial then art./> But, I like the premise of the article, using self defense as a healthy way to exercise and get fit.  I have been doing this for years.  No matter what the art is, properly applied its great.  Get out there and try some, find the one that “fits” your style, and have some fun while learning something that may come in handy one day!