Welcome to Defend.
Cambridge Krav Maga classes, Self Defence classes in Cambridge and Women’s Kickboxing classes in Cambridge.We are about people. Our goal is to offer honest, realistic self defence, combat fitness, functional movement and personal growth, to every type of human body that walks through our door. Not just 20 Year old athletes (although they will certainly find their niche here as well), but to professionals who have to work 45 hour weeks. To women of all ages. To older people, looking to get into shape, have fun, and learn self defence. To children and teenagers who can learn self defence in a positive atmosphere of friendship and fun.
Everybody joins for a different reason. Each of us have different goals. Some want fitness, others more confidence. Some have obstacles in life they wish to overcome, others are looking for peace of mind that they can protect themselves and the ones they love. Some have professions which require a certain skillset, others simply want to meet new people. Whatever YOUR reason, we hope we can help you find what you’re looking for…
Our Weekly Classes
Cambridge Krav Maga Classes
Ages 16 & above | view schedule
Using Krav Maga, the Israeli military combat system as our foundation, and using methodology from self defence experts such as Rory Miller, we structure our Defend Krav Maga Self Defence classes in Cambridge around easy-to-learn gross motor skills. Basically, stuff that works under pressure.
Kids & Teens Self Defence Classes
Ages 8 – 15 years | VIEW SCHEDULE
Our Kids and Teens Self Defence classes in Cambridge are a mix of teaching young people how to set boundaries (at school, at home or out with friends) and giving them the confidence and tools to protect those boundaries. We teach self defence and basic fighting techniques, plus de-escalation using voice and body language.
Women’s Kickboxing Classes
Ages 16 & above | VIEW SCHEDULE
Want to get in shape, become more flexible, and burn serious calories? Want to learn in a safe, friendly and comfortable ego-free environment and meet other women just like you? Our Women Only Kickboxing classes in Cambridge are just what you’re looking for!
What is Krav Maga?
Krav Maga is an easy to learn, effective self defence system. It will improve your fitness, your confidence and provide you with practical self defence skills.Krav Maga is the Israeli combat system used by the IDF. It was developed in the late 1940s and 50s by a man named Imi Lichtenfeld whilst he worked as a physical trainer for the Israeli army. Later, after he left the army, Imi started to develop this system for civilian use and started the foundations of what we now teach.
Nowadays there are of course, many different variations of Krav Maga, but essentially the core principles remain across all of them. Good striking (kicking and punching) and good wrestling (grappling/escaping or applying holds and grabs both standing and on the ground). Because of the military foundations of Krav Maga, the system also deals with edged weapons (knives), blunt weapons (sticks/baseball bats etc) and firearms.
Imi Lichtenfeld started really developing and teaching Krav Maga with his first group of Black Belt students. One of his main students and closest assistants was Eyal Yanilov. Together Imi and Eyal built the system into what is universally recognised as Krav Maga. Eyal is the founder of Krav Maga Global (KMG), based in Israel and arguably the largest Krav Maga organisation in the world, with instructors operating in over 50 countries.
Our lead instructor David Slade passed his instructor course under Eyal Yanilov and has since achieved all of his instructor grades and black belt grades in Israel, again under Eyal. David’s instructor in the UK is Jon Bullock, the highest graded KMG instructor in the UK – and the director of KMG UK.
We are not a gym, rather a community of like-minded individuals – all looking to become better. You’ll find no empty promises of instant results, but you will find a team who will guide you to your goal through consistent training, positive encouragement and hard work. It takes time and discipline to become good, but if you give us that, we’ll help you reach your goals. We’re martial artists, but we’re not pretending to be a Mixed Martial Arts gym – we’re 100% self defence. But we also enjoy fighting and we can teach you to enjoy it too!
Meet your Cambridge Krav Maga Instructors
David Slade
head coach | EXPERT LEVEL 2
KMG UK Senior Instructor. Trained as a student under KMG UK Director Jon Bullock since 2006.
Passed his instructor course under Eyal Yanilov, and all of his instructor grades and black belts the hard way – in Israel under Eyal Yanilov. Has taught both UK and US forces personnel and Police OST.
Maria Presa
head coach | Graduate LEVEL 5
Level 3 KMG UK Instructor. Trained as a student under Defend Director David Slade. Exceptionally talented Krav Maga practitioner, fighter and kickboxer, leads our Strike and Women Only Kickboxing sessions. Drives fast, kicks hard.
Tamas Timar
Instructor | Graduate LEVEL LEVEL 1
Level 3 Krav Maga Instructor. Originally from Hungary, Tamas moved to London where he trained Krav Maga extensively under KMG Expert 3 Klaudiusz Mitwiki before joining us 3 years ago. Assists with adults and kids classes in Cambridge.
James Hope
Instructor |
PRACTITIONER LEVEL 5
Assistant Coach to the Kids & Teens Classes in Cambridge. James is one of our most dedicated students, training on average 5 times a week! Loves waking up ridiculously early to swim in freezing cold lakes.
Our Class Schedule
Weekly Krav Maga, self defence and kickboxing classes in Cambridge .
| Monday |
|---|
| Cambridge 7.00pm-8.30pm: Krav Maga |
| Tuesday |
|---|
| Cambridge 6.30pm-7.45pm: Women’s Kickboxing |
| Wednesday |
|---|
| Cambridge 5.00pm-6.00pm: Kids & Teens Self Defence |
| Cambridge 7.00pm-8.30pm: Krav Maga |
| Thursday |
|---|
| Cambridge 6.30pm-7.45pm: Women’s Kickboxing |
| Saturday |
|---|
| Cambridge 10.00am-11.00am: Striking |
| Cambridge 11.00am-12.00pm: Kids & Teens Self Defence |
Membership Pricing
All of our memberships are taken monthly at the beginning of each calendar month and we don’t offer PAYG memberships. There are no unneccesary sign up fees or hidden extras.*Please be aware be have a 1 month cancellation policy.