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March 2024 by My Two
Very poor communication and closed mind
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September 2023 by Tatiana Kotas
Very informative. Good practice runs with helpful and respectful instructors.
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July 2023 by Zhang J.
I first attended Krav Maga San Diego to learn some practical defensive techniques and to have a good workout. However, what I got out of KMSD is beyond my expectation. The instructors really helped shape the class to train with discipline and dedication, how to react in a fast paced situation which requires immediate decision, how to get out of a messy situation with not only a fighting spirit but also a calm mind to analyze the surroundings. Attending the class saved me from a bad situation when I was attacked by two or three drunk people in a club. They surrounded me and I felt a headlock from behind. I didn't have time to think, but a quick flashback helped my muscles get moving and react in time. I managed to get away from the headlock, push the man away, and run from the situation. And that flashback came from the training I did in KMSD. I am very grateful for the experience which saved me from a beating and potentially more.
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March 2023 by Steven Naylor
SCAM or a JOKE, hard to tell which. BEWARE Training NOT offered. Filled out the form for new students and got an email saying there MIGHT be a training session beginning soon. That was almost a month ago and I'm still waiting. Don't waste your time on the company website. No useful info there, only endless reminders of how tough the school considers itself to be. LOOK ELSEWHERE. If you aren't sure just notice that this is the only review posted about this business in several years.
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February 2023 by Margret W.
Truly a nightmare scenario that I can't recommend to anyone. You get a good sense of the vibe by reading through the website in which they berate and belittle other local businesses and try to weed out the "weaklings" who won't commit to their program for the rest of time. Have a question? Don't dare ask. Have a reasonable request? Keep it to yourself. And do not under any circumstances ask for a refund when services are not provided. But good luck in your training /s
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March 2020 by Chris Meinhardt
I have trained with Krav Maga San Diego for over two years and couldn't be happier. I used these skills recently when a homeless man attacked my friend and I in the Gaslamp. He came out of nowhere and sprayed mace directly in my friend's face, but I quickly turned the tide and sent the attacker running (and bleeding). KMSD training starts from zero and builds your skills in an organized way; no starting in the middle. The program is designed for serious training in real life self defense scenarios, period. Classes are taught inside, outside, at the beach, in the ocean, in street clothes, with the lights off, loud music, knives, guns, sticks, sand in the face, bag over the head, talking/texting on a cell phone, hot coffee (actually warm water) to the face, multiple attacker drills, active shooter/stabber scenarios, full contact fighting, and on and on. While we do have a lot of fun in class (because sparring and wrestling are inherently fun), that is not the point of class. If you want to learn a new sport there are plenty of options out there. If you want to learn to defend yourself against pretty much any real world attack that might come your way, check out KMSD.Update: I've now trained with KMSD for over four years. I realized recently the most important benefit of the training is confidence. I travel all over the country for work and around the world for vacation where I often walk through unfamiliar cities at night. Recently my wife, her family and I were in Iceland looking for a restaurant when a drunk Russian mafia-looking guy (slicked hair, gold chains, leather jacket, tattooed fingers, etc.) started asking my father-in-law a bunch of random questions. Wherever this was going it wasn't good. I grabbed everyone and we walked the other way. While this encounter made me a bit nervous I at least knew what to do if this guy or his buddy tried something, because I've practiced this scenario literally hundreds or maybe thousands of times. That's a comfort I would not have had four years ago. Thanks guys.
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March 2020 by El Wavo
KMSD operates an outstanding program of krav maga training. Dana is exceptionally experienced and maintains professional and rigorous standards with a no-nonsense atmosphere. His assistant instructors are excellent. Training topics and venues are varied to keep us growing and interested. Examples include park, beach and vehicle training, as well as various specialized seminars. If you want to gain solid proficiency in self defense in general and krav maga in particular, KMSD is the way to go. The physical benefits of intense training and the comradery of your fellow students are bonuses that keep me coming back session after session. I look forward to more years of training with my cohorts, learning from advanced students, and helping beginners along in their krav maga journey.
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November 2019 by Paul R.
If you want "no bullshit, straight-to-the-point" Krav Maga training, look no further. There's a lot of McDojo-type places that teach Tae Bo-style Krav Maga "fitness" that's more suited for soccer moms to work a sweat, and that's cool if you're into that. But if you want to learn the proper techniques to handle yourself in the sort of encounters no one ever wants to find themselves in, KMSD is the school for you. You won't be coddled, and they don't hand out belts/patches just for your tenure, you have to earn the right to advance, and the criteria for that is strict. There is a reason Law Enforcement and Military train here. The instructors are highly professional, and will work hard to ensure you "get it." They're also very flexible with your schedule and the school itself is reasonably priced. It's worth noting that while everyone takes class very seriously, the overall vibe is a positive one. Everyone is friendly, driven and wants to ensure everyone succeeds. There's no ego. Just good ol' hardcore Krav Maga training. And sure, you're gonna burn some calories in the process.
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September 2019 by Jessica R.
KMSD has been a consistently positive experience for me in all of the sessions I've attended. The instructors are always very professional; clear in their directions to the students, open to any questions, and attentive to individuals. The school takes their mission seriously to train in military style Krav Maga and prospective students will be challenged physically and mentally. That said, classes truly are open to all kinds of people (older or younger, whatever your gender, out of shape, super fit, etc.) and there's very little ego amongst the higher level practitioners who are so great about helping out newer students. Every minute of class is used effectively and students are welcome to attend every pertinent class throughout the week that they wish. If money is a concern, I definitely believe you get every bit of the enrollment fee. If you want to learn legitimate, practical self-defense and have a great time doing so, Krav Maga San Diego is well worth your while.
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September 2019 by Jermina L.
Highly recommend KMSD (especially to women)-- the knowledge and techniques that Dana and the instructors provide are invaluable. Check out their biographies at kravmagasd.com/instructors/ they are legit. Their military style training may seem intimidating, but everyone is actually really nice and the advanced students are super helpful with us newbies. Take this opportunity to train and learn from the best.
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August 2019 by Yevgeniy G.
Seven years after I left San Diego, I still make it a point to always make time to stop by and train with Dana and his team of instructors every time I am in town. Krav Maga San Diego, Inc has over 27 continuous years of offering top notch self defense to San Diegans. As a visiting instructor, I myself always welcome an opportunity to become a student once again and train to sharpen my skills in self-defense. Highly recommended!
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May 2018 by Chris M.
I have trained with Krav Maga San Diego for over two years and couldn't be happier. I used these skills recently when a homeless man attacked my friend and I in the Gaslamp. He came out of nowhere and sprayed mace directly into my friend's face, but I quickly turned the tide and sent the attacker running (and bleeding). KMSD training starts from zero and builds your skills in an organized way; no starting in the middle. The program is designed for serious training in real life self defense scenarios, period. Classes are taught inside, outside, at the beach, in the ocean, in street clothes, with the lights off, loud music, knives, guns, sticks, sand in the face, bag over the head, talking/texting on a cell phone, hot coffee (actually warm water) to the face, multiple attacker drills, active shooter/stabber scenarios, full contact fighting, and on and on. While we do have a lot of fun in class (because sparring and wrestling are inherently fun), that is not the point of class. If you want to learn a new sport there are plenty of options out there. If you want to learn to defend yourself against pretty much any real world attack that might come your way, check out KMSD.
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March 2018 by Nadeem Khan
Hi, I'm coming to San Diego in the month of July and looking forward to train hard in Krav Maga. Looking forward to earn black belt and also do an instructor course. It's been 2 months now I've been struggling to get the best training academy. I spoke to many people who are well known in Krav Maga and they all have suggested me this one place. Now, that I know I have to come to this academy I started doing some research on it. I'm so damn eager to join Dana Kanplan's Krav Maga San Diego inc. Can't wait to train.. Will see you'll soon..
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March 2017 by Timothy Johnson
I just completed my first 8 week training session at KMSD and I couldn’t be happier. Before signing up with KMSD I researched other Krav Maga options in San Diego, but based on the training description and info on their website I chose KMSD. The instructors are great. They’re very positive and provide great feedback. The training is challenging, realistic and serious but fun. Everyone is very friendly and supportive. As this was my first session it was awesome how helpful the more experienced students were during training. I look forward to continuing my training at Krav Maga San Diego.
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February 2017 by P S.
Krav Maga San Diego, Inc. (KMSD) is a professional organization whose serious training is changing lives-including my own! Before starting Krav Maga, I was reluctant to enroll because I "didn't want to get hurt". Immediately, I realized that not wanting to get hurt is one of the main incentives that drives me to continue to train to learn self-defense techniques under the instruction of lead instructor, Dana Ben Kaplan and the focused, knowledgeable, and committed instructors he has brought together including: Steve, Arielle, Carlos, and Daniel. The one rule in Krav Maga is "Don't Get Hurt"! The KMSD website has so much information on it so before my first class I felt like I had a good idea of what I was signing up for. There were definitely experiences that I did not anticipate-and those defining moments are what make me look forward to putting in the work to continue training into the future: -Safety is a priority in the class among classmates and instructors. -The course is organized in such a way that you can practice, ask questions, and benefit from explanations and corrections from classmates, assistant instructors, and instructors. -The more you put in, practice, and step in to participate, and challenge yourself, the more you take away. I am becoming stronger, more flexible, am gaining endurance-bonus: lost ~20 lbs after a few sessions. -Seminars and targeted training offered throughout the program including: Women's Self-Defense, Vehicle, In-Water, and Gun-threat defense have been valuable learning opportunities -These self-defense techniques can be applied as protection in many situations that I would never have predicted: having a door swing open right in front of your face, being rear-ended, protecting yourself from people shoving past at music events... I better understand my response in stressful situations and have definitely boosted my awareness of what's around me. -I have met people from very diverse backgrounds who are serious and focused on learning and improving. They are friendly and inclusive-they create a close-knit community. -Having the option to attend class at a variety of locations has a large impact on the training-applying the techniques we have learned in a realistic environment helps with feeling like you have the right "toolbox" near you at any time. -It has influenced not just me, but also my friends and family. I am grateful to be training with KMSD, Inc. The techniques that the founder of Krav Maga, Imi Lichtenfeld, established are being preserved-taught by Dana Kaplan and the professional organization he has built.
