Kapap versus Krav Maga

[righttack77]

Hi Everyone,

I am very new to the boards here, and I am also new to the world of martial arts (other than dabbling a bit in beginner Karate). I just spent the last couple of days taking one-on-one Kapap classes with an instructor and I really enjoy them, although it is quite expensive.

I have been looking into an alternative which was taking Krav Maga classes at a local gym. The classes are longer (2hrs per class versus 1hr per private session with my Kapap instructor) and they seem to be taught by very credible instructors. The classes are also much cheaper ($20 per class versus $40 per private lesson). From a value for money perspective it would seem to me that the classes are a better bet. However, I have a job which requires me to often work long hours, and I'm concerned that I just won't have the time to make it to class, and therefore, I'd prefer of having the flexibility of arranging a private lesson when it suits me.

However, I've been told by my Kapap instructor (who also has taken many years of Krav Maga) that Kapap is a bit better to learn because it is slightly more developed than Krav Maga (he mentioned that Krav Maga is basically a simplified version of Kapap).

I'd like to hear your advice on the following:

1. Is it really worthwhile taking private one-on-one training (ie. do you tend to learn more), or is generally better to go for the class route?
2. Is it better (from the perspective of a beginner) to learn (i) Krav Maga or (ii) Kapap and is there actually a difference between the two?

Thanks!

[MJS]

Hi Everyone,

I am very new to the boards here, and I am also new to the world of martial arts (other than dabbling a bit in beginner Karate). I just spent the last couple of days taking one-on-one Kapap classes with an instructor and I really enjoy them, although it is quite expensive.

I have been looking into an alternative which was taking Krav Maga classes at a local gym. The classes are longer (2hrs per class versus 1hr per private session with my Kapap instructor) and they seem to be taught by very credible instructors. The classes are also much cheaper ($20 per class versus $40 per private lesson). From a value for money perspective it would seem to me that the classes are a better bet. However, I have a job which requires me to often work long hours, and I'm concerned that I just won't have the time to make it to class, and therefore, I'd prefer of having the flexibility of arranging a private lesson when it suits me.

However, I've been told by my Kapap instructor (who also has taken many years of Krav Maga) that Kapap is a bit better to learn because it is slightly more developed than Krav Maga (he mentioned that Krav Maga is basically a simplified version of Kapap).

I'd like to hear your advice on the following:

1. Is it really worthwhile taking private one-on-one training (ie. do you tend to learn more), or is generally better to go for the class route?
2. Is it better (from the perspective of a beginner) to learn (i) Krav Maga or (ii) Kapap and is there actually a difference between the two?

Thanks!

Welcome to Martial Talk! :)

As for your questions...ultimately its you that has to decide what fits your schedule better. If you don't think you'll have time to make it to that many Krav Maga classes, then stick with the private lessons. Have you looked into taking private Krav Maga lessons in addition to the classes? Howmany KM classes are offered a week? How many will you be able to attend?

As for whats better...everyone will have their own preference. Of course, an instructor is going to tell you that Kapap is better. Do they really want to lose you as a student? Now, I'm not saying one is better than the other. I'm more familiar with KM than the other. From the little that I've read about Kapap, it sounds like its not that different from KM.

Good luck in your decision. :)

Mike

[righttack77]

Thanks Mike

I did some reflecting over the past couple of days. I've decided to stick to the private Kapap lessons for now, simply because I know that if I don't have the flexibility of private lessons, I won't go to the classes.

Thanks for your insight.

[MJS]

Thanks Mike

I did some reflecting over the past couple of days. I've decided to stick to the private Kapap lessons for now, simply because I know that if I don't have the flexibility of private lessons, I won't go to the classes.

Thanks for your insight.

Glad I could help. :) Private lessons are great, as they'll give you the chance to focus on pretty much any area you want. Are group classes in Kapap an option for you? If so, you may want to look into taking at least one to supplement your private lesson.

Mike

[Yaagil]

Hi, I'm a Kapap and Krav Maga instructor. It's even confusing to me :-)

When in Europe (like now) I sometimes visit Krav Maga schools and I sometimes see a kind of Tae Bo instead of KM. Clearly teached by fitness instructors. I don't know what the situation is in the US but those fitness guys are killing Krav Maga.

On the other hand, I've never seen Kapap being raped like that.

[Spork3245]

KAPAP teaches devastating things like the "touch of death". Clearly it's better... wait, I just remembered it's just BS and it doesn't work. :p
Go ask any Golani IDF agent what they trained in for hand-to-hand, they will tell you "Krav Maga", not KAPAP like the official US KAPAP website will lie to you about.
Now, to say which is "better" depends upon which "association" the Krav Maga school you are looking at is affiliated with. If it's a Commando Krav Maga school, I will warn you to stay far away from it. If it's a World Wide school (KMAA), or IKMF school (Israeli Krav Maga Federation) it's up in the air and depends on the instructor. If it's a IKMA/Alan Feldman/Rick Blitstein school, I can promise you that it will destroy whatever KAPAP kool-aid that instructor is selling you.

-This message is brought to you bought the worlds biggest KAPAP hater on the planet. ;)