Krav Maga is a fighting martial art used by law enforcement, by the DEA, the FBI, the CIA and thousands upon thousands of civilians who want to turn mush into muscle and/or learn how to fend off would-be attackers.

Classes are focused on how to spot unsafe situations, teaching how to respond defensively against chokes, grabs, bear hugs, and other attacks, including fighting on the ground if you are confronted by an attacker with a weapon. On a more lighthearted note, this workout has been consulted by Hilary Swank and Jennifer Lopez for years to help them increase strength while toning and firming the body.

Included in a typical training session is a landslide of kicking and punching drills, followed by what seems like a thousand sets of squats and push-ups. The result is a quickened body response time, and most likely, the realization that you are a mere mortal. Based on simple principles that hone your instinctive movements, this discipline is designed to teach realistic and effective self defense techniques in the shortest possible time.

There are few facilities that are certified to teach Krav Maga, so be certain that you attend a studio officially licensed by Krav Maga World Training Center in Los Angeles, California.

Where I learned: Krav Maga Eastside Training Center in the greater Seattle area. 13433 NE 20th Street in Bellevue, Washington.