Krav Maga Federation

Joined 2 months ago. Great instructors and great group of people. Had studied Japanese karate and aikido previously, and found Krav Maga to be much more practical. Plan to stay for a long time.

Free trial 1 hour class from
We’ve spent a great time with 2 friends of mine — the class wasn’t crowded (around 20 persons)
The warming-​up exercises were complete.
The instructor is excellent, takes care of you and the safety. He gives you smart directives.
I recommend this school.
Try the class to have fun and learn some real smart, and practical self defense Technics

I began training at this school roughly two years ago. The first and most importanT aspect of this school that I would like to point out are the instructors. They are professional, courteous, tough, and caring. You will come to learn and understand what Krav Maga really is, and you will slowly start to see a transformation in yourself, if you are dedicated. The school provides you with as much flexibility as one would need. Class times are very convenient across all belt levels, facilities are more than adequate, and you really get the attention you need to learn the art. I came to this school with an injured shoulder, and walked out rehabilitated, simply because they taught me not to think like a wounded person. For the price you pay, it is definitely worth it and I can’t wait until I return to the US to resume my training!

I trained at Rhon’s school for a couple years until I stopped working in the city. They are very serious about teaching the art properly. You can’t test for a belt until instructors determine you’re ready. Rhon has a toughness that doesn’t let you make excuses for yourself for anything. You also get a great workout.
One of my favorite moments was when a dwarf was training with a group of beginners. When someone looks different, you might have a tendency to treat them differently. Rhon yelled at him to fix his technique like he does to all the students and said, «What makes you special?» It may sound harsh, but Rhon was breaking down a barrier, & everyone got it.
Another moment that stood out was when someone asked what he should call Rhon, expecting «sensei» or something. The response was, «My name is Rhon.» Instructors’ respect is earned. Kel, David, Erik, & the others are all good & teach to Rhon’s standards.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been more than 5 years since I first stepped on the mat at the Krav Maga Federation’s old location at John Jay College. Since then, Rhon Mizrachi has opened his own school in Chelsea and has greatly expanded his class schedule. In addition to regular classes, there are weapons and groundwork classes, seminars and workshops. There is even a kids program — and you can bet that my daughter will be given the opportunity to train there as soon as she’s old enough!
Ever since I started training in Krav Maga, I’ve told everyone who will listen about what it means to me and what it has done for me. I’ve invited numerous people to try classes and they have all been impressed. I know that some women feel intimidated by martial arts, but there’s no need for that here. When you walk in the door at KMF, you aren’t reduced to your demographics. You aren’t a man or woman, gay or straight, black or white, old or young or anything else I’ve failed to mention — you are simply a person who wants to learn to save your own life. At KMF, you can learn ways to do that in the face of a violent attack. If you are committed to being respectful of the tradition, the art, the instructors, the school and your fellow students, you are welcome here.
I hope to see you on the mat.

Three years from my last review. My whole life has changed. I moved to DC. I still train with Rhon. He has supported me in opening a KMF school in DC. I am so happy to share his teachings. I would not be teaching without his visiting and testing my students to ensure they are up to par.
Looking forward to the KMF Israel trip this summer.

I am a 31 year old female. I used to love this school. I used to recommend it to anyone who asked me where I did Krav Maga. Until last Sunday. Rhon (Master Instructor) threw two incredibly macho comments at me during class. While we were holding a punch position and he was walking around making sure we were doing the punch correctly, he stopped next to me, looked at me and said «you’re beautiful», in front of everyone in a loud voice. Five minutes later, while we were doing some elbow blows, he again came by next to me to correct what I was doing and mentioned that I should go 6 inches further. Then he turned around and said «I bet men lie to you about 6 inches». I was like really??? NYC??? 2013??? where am I???
I could not believe what I was hearing. I looked around and saw two male students laughing through the mirror. I felt disrespected and objectified. At the end of the class I went to talk to Rhon and told him that it was unacceptable to get comments based on my gender or my looks. He apologized. Apologies accepted but I will not spend my time or my money in this school anymore. Training women in self-​defense is not enough. Violence to women is not only physical, it also comes from their objectification. I will not return to this school and do not recommend it.

The teachers here know their stuff (I train mostly with Rhon and David). They drive you hard, but the physical intensity is balanced with a good deal of emphasis on movement dynamics, proper alignment, and injury prevention.
Being a movement professional/​nerd, I love that Rhon and David always push us to figure out how and why we execute a particular movement, in addition to seriously kicking our butts. This school is no joke. Highly recommend.

Truly a life changing experience. The money is worth it, you’re working with the best of the best. Cant get enough of it! Also, don’t pay attention to that Matthew H. 2* star review, I have no idea how telling someone to execute the exercises seriously and not lightly = bigotry. Ridiculous.

The structure of the class is amazing, I love the intensity. However, my experience was ruined by the instructor. I was a division 2 wrestler, my coaches wrestled in the Olympics. So I am very receptive to criticism. However I am also dislexic, the instructor teased me here screaming at me saying «what you don’t know your right from your left?». I told him I was dislexic he screamed «I don’t care what you are» I have never had a coach or instructor be this disrespectful ever. He also used homophoic insults saying «your choking him, not giving him a massage» Being gay and very successful athlete it brought back painful memories of bigotry from my team mates. I have never experienced anything like it in the 10 years I did wrestling and other sports. I may come back for a class but only with the main instructor. I’m hoping hes a little better. There are not that many options for krav maga, this was definitely the most intense class I’ve had in nyc. I just wish the instructor was a little less into himself and a little more into his students.

As a female personal trainer who recently moved to NYC, I was looking for a martial arts school that not only taught the best in self-​defense but was physically challenging. I heard about Krav Maga from a friend in TX and decided to research schools in NYC. That’s when I came across Rhon’s Krav Maga Federation through Unilocal,and the reviews were off the charts. If you want realistic combat, self-​defense, a kick-​ass workout, AND an incredible community of people then you MUST attend Rhon’s Krav Maga Federation. I frequently trained under David Weintraub and the founder, Rhon Mizrachi. These guys are incredible. I felt strong, confident, and in control as a result of their teachings. Honestly, if you’re looking for the best in self-​defense, martial arts, or combat look no further than this school.

I found out about the Krav Maga Federation on 25^th Street, through a friends constant Facebook postings about how great it was but for the past year I have been doing a pretty intense workout 6 days a week that had made me stronger than I have ever felt and while it sounded cool it did not seem necessary. The place I workout involves a good deal of us yelling which I cannot do since my voice only goes so loud. After a particularly unsuccessful day of yelling my instructor who was concerned, asked me what I would do if I was being mugged or otherwise attacked if I cant scream for help. That day I asked my friend to take me with him to his next Krav Maga class.
Two days later I was early, sitting on the blue mat and wondering what I got myself into and throughout the hour class I continued to wonder the same thing. Afterwards I was not completely convinced and while economically it would have made more sense to sign up for a 3 month unlimited package, I decided to sign up for the month and see how it went. Two classes later I asked if I could please upgrade to the 3 month unlimited and for the past 5 weeks I have attended every single class I possibly could. While going through moves I am constantly amazed at how much I have been taught in that short period of time.
During the hour class the instructors are tough but let’s face it, in a way they are taking on the huge responsibility of getting us out alive if it came down to a life or death situation. They are not promising that we will come out completely unharmed if we got into a fight, in fact they pretty much guarantee we would get hurt (even the most seasoned fighters don’t come out unscathed) but they are teaching us how to inflict the most damage possible on our attacker while at the same time taking as little impact on ourselves.
As tough as they are on the mat, they are also extremely kind, approachable, always willing to answer a question, help correct your form or show you that one specific move for the millionth time (and I say that from personal experience).
Then there is Eve, the woman who runs the show. I can be having a particularly tough class, she will pop her head in for one reason or another and she will smile at me as if she instinctively knows (which she probably does being that she has gone through it all, is now a green belt and still training) and I am immediately able to get my head right back into my training.
I would highly recommend this place for anyone who wants to feel safer and that if ever attacked they would ultimately end up feeling that they were the one in control of the situation.

This place is the real deal.
The best workout in NYC, and you get to learn how to defend yourself in a no-​nonsense, practical and immediately applicable way. Excellent instructors, nice facility, and reasonably priced. Don’t make any excuses: this is the place to start learning Krav Maga.

I tried a class here. There is no free first class so expect to pay. I will say that the spot is serious, the instructor is no BS — he’ll correct you and if you keep making the same mistake, he’ll embarrass you — all good though, no nonsense style. Work out was good, instruction was good — and if i ever plan to switch gyms, i’d probably try out this spot for a longer period. Good thing is they are flexible and you can pop in and pay for the class, go month to month with no contract or signup for 6 months/​1 year and get a discounted rate.

I’m so happy I took this type of fighting system. I love it great teachers.

Let me start off by saying that this is not a class for people who are easily offended, want to wear skimpy clothes or like to giggle and talk a lot when you’re supposed to be choking someone or kicking them in the balls. With that said this place is AMAZING!!! I’ve brought two 3-​month memberships from them and love the place. When you first start off you will be sore and tired because unless you are already in shape before you go in, you’re going to be winded with the warm-​ups alone. All the instructors are great and their main focus regarding you as a student is to ensure that you are able to properly execute a move so that if you’re ever in a situation where you need to defend yourself, you will actually be able to do it without hurting yourself as much as you would if you didn’t know shit. Also don’t complain if the instructor singles you out for performing a move wrong and correcting you, this is what you’re paying for.

I would definitely recommend this school. I just attended my first class, and was not disappointed. The instructors are very good at breaking down attacks and defense moves. Even in my first class I was throwing guys on the floor!

This place is no joke. Be prepared to sweat and work hard as they prepare to pick on you to perfect your technique. It’s tough love and I love it. I’m still a beginner and there are A LOT of times I feel lost but they’re very helpful in helping you work on your technique. Don’t expect to be given a special treatment just because you’re a girl. It’s street fighting, not baby-​sitting. Am addicted!

I attended my first class here last night (July, 09), a beginner’s class. The warm up was a great routine that probably hit around 300 – 350 kCal. That was followed by some basic instruction in techniques.
The instructors are (so far) very friendly and welcoming off the mats. They are serious on the mats, but not sadistic or even (intentionally) intimidating. They seem genuinely interested in helping people learn. It’s definitely an OK place to be a complete neophyte to the sport.
I’m looking forward to more classes.
Update (08÷09÷09): I am really loving the classes here. They are intense, being some of the best hour-​long exercise sessions I’ve encountered. Physically, I’m not the most coordinated man (Though, I am in good shape from running, weight lifting, pullups, and pushups.), and it’s taking me time to memorize techniques and execute them in anything but an awkward manner. However, the instructors are usually right there to help with execution. As I wrote before, they are serious, but always helpful.

This place is no nonsense martial arts. Each class is very intense, with a fast-​paced calisthenics warm-​up followed by a mix of self-​defense techniques and martial arts skills (different types of kicks, punches, knees etc.). All the instructors are highly respectful but also are not afraid to tell you when you’re doing something wrong (the emphasis is on perfection of technique and paying attention to «detail»). There are a range of students in the beginner and other classes, ranging from young people with backgrounds in other martial arts to college-​age women who just want to learn self-​defense to older people looking to get a good work-​out. There are people of all sizes, body types, and fitness levels. You will become much more fit by attending class 2 – 3 days a week for a few months – I did.
One issue: I don’t think think Krav Maga is for you if you want to compete in sport martial arts. Most of the beginner Krav techniques involve striking the groin, eyes, nose, etc – things you’re not going to be able to do in the ring. As you go along in the art, you learn more sparring techniques and sparring becomes part of the training. But, overall, the emphasis in Krav is how to «neutralize a threat» on the street, not in a sporting context – so while some of the stuff we do in class will probably make you a more aggressive, confident fighter in the ring, the emphasis at Krav is on self-​defense on the street against someone who’s bigger and stronger (or more numerous or armed) than you are.