Krav Maga – force your attacker to regret the decision
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REXBURG — A new gym in Rexburg is offering an intense martial arts training program.
Payne Athletic Company is one of a few eastern Idaho gyms that teaches Krav Maga, a self-defense program originally developed for the Israeli military.
Owner and instructor Isaac Payne has practiced various martial art forms and said most are artistic, but impractical. He said Krav Maga teaches an adaptable fighting style.
“(It’s) totally based on what actually works in the streets, what works well for law enforcement and what works well for the military,” Payne said, “It’s made to keep people safe — that’s really the goal.”
In Krav Maga people learn to defend themselves through pure rage and aggression.
“If someone attacks you, you’re making them regret that decision from the very moment it starts, and with that attitude that’s what’s going to save your life,” Payne said, “There’s no magic technique, there’s no silver bullet. It’s that attitude that’s going to save you.”
Payne said the martial art system draws from many styles of hand-to-hand combat.
“It really is kind of a mix. They draw from Muay Thai, they draw from Aikido, they draw from Judo, Jiu-Jitsu and boxing,” Payne said.
There are five tiers in mastering Krav Maga, Payne said. Each level focuses on basic defenses, combative and escaping techniques and chokes. The higher levels teach weapons, and knife fighting disarms.
Weekly participant Isaac Nydeggar said the details of the fighting technique are learned progressively.
“When you’re first beginning they emphasize more on action, so you build technique as you go over time,” Nydegger said.
Co-owner Amanda Payne said the Krav Maga course is among many disciplines Payne Athletic Company provides.
“We also do Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, have an MMA class, a cardio MMA class and we also have a kids Jiu-Jitsu class for kids starting as young as five years old,” Payne said.
Krav Maga classes are Monday and Friday at 6 p.m. Check out the Payne Athletic Company site for information about their services.