Every woman deserves to feel safe navigating daily life, and one of the best ways to ensure your safety is through self-defense training.
When it comes to self-defense, women deserve a program that is practical, empowering, and effective. Krav Maga stands out as the ultimate choice for building confidence and safety in real-life scenarios. Here’s why women across the globe—and at America’s Best Defense—are choosing Krav Maga to protect themselves and feel empowered.
>> Learn More About Our Adult Krav Maga Program
Read on to hear directly from some our female students about the benefits of Krav Maga for women’s self-defense training!
Simple, Effective Techniques All Women Can Use
Krav Maga is built around straightforward techniques that are designed to be effective in real-life situations. Unlike traditional martial arts or competition-focused combat sports, Krav Maga focuses on simple, instinctive movements that are effective in high-pressure situations, and accessible to everyone—regardless of size, strength, or ability level.
In our Teen Krav Maga and Adult Krav Maga programs, students learn how to throw basic combatives like punches, elbow strikes, roundhouse kicks, and knee strikes and how to defend against weapons, chokes, and other attacks using instinctive movements that require minimal training to remember and execute effectively.
“I firmly believe every woman should learn how to defend themselves,” says Joanna Frageorgia, a black belt who has been training at ABD North Attleboro for more than 7 years. “As women, we tend towards politeness when we’re in threatening situations, but politeness will not get us out of an attack. More skills are needed to get home safely, and we can’t rely on our ‘niceness’ to do that work for us.”
Practical Self-Defense Skills, Not Fighting for Sport
Unlike many traditional martial arts, Krav Maga isn’t about earning points or winning a match. It’s all about self-defense and ensuring that you have the skills to stay safe in any situation. This focus on practical, everyday safety means there is no pressure to compete—only the encouragement to get stronger and more capable with every session.
“I like that there is so much emphasis on very practical self-defense techniques,” says Kathy Grim, who has been training at ABD Franklin for 3.5 years. “That’s a confidence boost.”
The techniques our students learn are designed for situations you might actually encounter, whether it’s a street confrontation or an uncomfortable encounter in a public place. While avoiding a conflict is always the preferred method of self-defense, some of our students report that their training has kept them safe in real life.
“I used some of the more gentle techniques to break up a fight at work between three students,” says Rebecca McGraw, a black belt who has trained at ABD Mansfield for more than 9 years. “The fact that I did it in a dress and high heels feels even crazier.”
Because the primary goal is personal safety, our environment is often more comfortable for women to learn hands-on self-defense skills than a more competitive environment.
This makes them feel confident engaging in drills that simulate the stress of a real attack, helping them to apply what they’ve learned under pressure.
“I love that there’s no pressure to compete or compare myself to others,” says Yoli, now an orange belt who has been training in our Adult Krav Maga program for about six months. “It’s just about learning how to protect myself and feel safe.”
Fitness Benefits Beyond Self-Defense Skills
Krav Maga training is a full-body workout that enhances strength, flexibility, and endurance. The physical fitness gained through training contributes to overall well-being, helping women feel stronger and healthier.
“Training at ABD improved my life in countless ways,” says Karen A. “Not only did I feel empowered walking in public, but my confidence soared—people actually told me that I was glowing! I was the strongest and most athletic I’ve ever been.”
Benefits Beyond Self-Defense:
- Stronger Body: Training increases strength, flexibility, and endurance.
- Mental Toughness: The drills challenge both mental and physical limits, teaching resilience that extends beyond the dojo.
I am stronger than I’ve been in a long time with more endurance. And I’ve dropped 20 lbs too!
But just because martial arts classes are a great workout doesn’t mean you have to be in peak physical condition to start training! Krav Maga techniques are specifically designed to be accessible to the average person, not just athletes.
“Oh my goodness. I am a 53-year-old noodle with zero experience,” ABD Shrewsbury student Jill M. jokes. “Krav Maga is so much fun, just try it! My teacher says we are all trying to get just a tiny bit better day by day.”
Not Just Physical: Build Mental Strength
Krav Maga isn’t just about physical skills—it’s also about building mental resilience and confidence.
“I have become stronger and more confident than I ever have been in my life,” says Angela Stanley, an ABD Franklin student who earned her black belt in December 2024. “Training has challenged me to overcome mental, physical, and emotional obstacles that I didn’t know I had the strength to overcome.”
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Every strike, every successful drill, and every session builds not just your ability to defend yourself, but also your belief in your own strength.
“I used to approach exercise as a punishment to my body to try and make it look ‘better,’” Joanna Frageorgia says. “Training in Krav made me realize how valuable training in a positive community can be. Not only have I learned life-saving self-defense skills, but I’ve seen my confidence increase and my anxiety lessen. I no longer train to make my body look a certain way, but to grow my perseverance, discipline, and character.”
Our students say having the ability to defend themselves gives them the confidence to stand taller, whether they’re walking through their neighborhood or speaking up at work.
“I have a new level of confidence. I do believe that I actually can accomplish anything I put my mind to,” ABD Mansfield black belt Ann Marie Ritchie says.
“If I can live through a 6-hour black belt test, I can do this project!”
A Supportive Community That Lifts You Up
When you join America’s Best Defense, you don’t just start a self-defense class—you join a community that shares similar goals!
Our students lift each other up, creating a supportive atmosphere that extends well beyond class hours. This supportive network helps students push through challenges, making training sessions not only effective but enjoyable.
>> Learn More About Our Adult Krav Maga Program
The friendships and community at our schools create a positive support system that makes students excited to come back and continue improving.
Jill M. says she found that the more she trained, the more she wanted to make the Krav Maga community a priority: “Krav Maga has made me want to rejigger my life so I can train more often.”
ABD is the best, welcoming, no-judgment dojo. My family and I have met some of our closest friends on the mats. Take the first step. You won’t regret it.
This kind of transformation isn’t just about learning self-defense; it’s about igniting a new passion that builds resilience and empowers from within.
Oona Harrington says that training at ABD Franklin has been “invaluable.”
“The community is supportive and inspiring, making it a safe space to push myself,” Oona says. “It has boosted my confidence, having positive effects personally and professionally.”
Training has become an integral part of my daily life. I work full-time as a teacher and part-time as a nurse, but I plan my schedule partially around my training. I make sure that no matter how much I work, I have at least 2 evenings off during which time I can train. My family trains as well, so it’s something we can often do together.
This sense of community is an essential part of what makes Krav Maga training unique. The supportive atmosphere is crucial for building confidence, as it allows students to feel comfortable making mistakes, learning, and growing alongside their peers.
Awareness and Prevention: The First Steps to Safety
One of the key elements of Krav Maga training is situational awareness. Being prepared isn’t just about having physical skills—it’s also about knowing how to avoid dangerous situations in the first place. Krav Maga teaches students to be aware of their surroundings and take proactive measures to stay safe.
Joanna Frageorgia described a situation where her Krav Maga training helped her react appropriately during a conflict with an acquaintance while traveling in a foreign country.
“When I turned away to avoid further drama, he grabbed my wrist to try and pull me back,” she said. “I immediately reacted by yelling and forcing him to release me. While the situation did not lead to an attack, I handled myself with far more confidence than I would have in the past.”
“I work in a hospital and sometimes the ER can be crazy,” ABD Franklin black belt Elizabeth Bauer says. “I feel like my situational awareness is on point. I’m not afraid of what could happen because I’ve trained for the unexpected so it’s easier to take the craziness in stride.”
Krav Maga teaches students to proactively identify potential threats and avoid dangerous situations before they escalate. This proactive approach to safety is a crucial element that makes Krav Maga effective for women wanting to feel more secure in their daily lives.
Ready to Feel More Confident?
Krav Maga offers practical, effective self-defense training that empowers women both physically and mentally. At America’s Best Defense, our focus is on giving you the tools to stay safe, build confidence, and lead a more empowered life. With practical techniques, supportive classmates, and a focus on real-world situations, Krav Maga is a fantastic choice for women seeking both fitness and safety.
“Know that your age or fitness doesn’t matter; anyone can learn to protect themselves, and it’s our responsibility to make sure we can keep ourselves safe,” says Prisha, who earned her 1st-degree black belt in karate with ABD Shrewsbury and has continued training in our Teen Krav Maga program.
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“My life was falling apart and I needed a change. I didn’t know what I needed at that time but I accepted an invite to a women’s self defense class and it CHANGED MY LIFE COMPLETELY!” Elizabeth Bauer says. “Training here has made me realize how strong I am and how brave I can be. It gave me my voice.”
Are you ready to take control of your safety and confidence? Reach out to America’s Best Defense how you can start your journey to empowerment with Krav Maga!
