Tips for Choosing the Best Self-Defense Class
It’s a good idea for everyone to take a self-defense class. While the main reason to take a self-defense class is to protect yourself if you ever find yourself in a potentially dangerous situation, that’s just one of the benefits you’ll gain from your experience. People who have completed one course in self-defense report that they noticed the following things:
- Their self-confidence improved
- They learned to be instinctively more aware of their surroundings
- It sparked an interest in fitness which led to a healthier lifestyle
Like so many other things, not all self-defense classes are equal. You owe it to yourself to choose the best possible one. Here are some tips that will help you choose the best self-defense class.
Learn What Skill Level the Class is Geared Towards
If you’re new to self-defense, you want to look for a beginner-friendly class. Enrolling in a more advanced class will leave you feeling unprepared, confused, and overwhelmed. While you will learn some very useful self-defense strategies, the too-advanced class may erode your self-confidence. If you’ve never taken a self-defense class before, you should look for one that’s geared specifically for beginners.
What Type of Self-Defense is Taught
Before enrolling in a self-defense class, take a moment to learn about the type of self-defense the class teaches. Many beginner self-defense classes focus on basic self-defense moves. In contrast, more advanced ones often work on developing into something specific, such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, or mixed martial arts.
Is the Class Gender Specific
It’s common for some self-defense classes to be geared towards women while others are mixed-gender. Of course, one isn’t necessarily preferable to another, but you may decide that you prefer one over the other.
Does the Class Focus Only on Physical Self-Defense, or Does it Also Teach Awareness?
If you’re worried because you are out late at night, work in a less-than-ideal setting, or simply want to know how to take care of yourself if you’re ever in a dangerous situation, you’ll want to look for a self-defense class that not only teaches you how to take care of yourself if you’re physically threatened, but also helps you become more aware of your surroundings, and how to be on the lookout for early warning signs of danger.
Get Recommendations
Once you’ve found some promising self-defense classes, start looking for recommendations. Ask specific questions about the teacher’s teaching style, the types of skills taught, and the pace at which the classes move. This information is extremely valuable when choosing a self-defense class that perfectly matches your learning style and personal needs.
Once you find a self-defense class you like, try to convince a friend to enroll. You’ll find that you enjoy the class more when a buddy goes through it with you.