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IB Krav Maga Academy

4.9 ★★★★★ 27 Google reviews · Krav Maga school in Imperial Beach, California

Krav Maga school Beginners welcome Private lessons

Plan your first class

  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one instruction available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule ibkmakg.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 858-539-9974

Hours

Monday 7–9 am, 6–8 pm
Tuesday 5–8 pm
Wednesday 7–9 am, 5–8 pm
Thursday 6–8 pm
Friday 7–9 am, 6–8 pm
Saturday 8–10 am
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Krav Maga classes on the schedule at IB Krav Maga Academy, confirmed in students' own reviews and the school's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“Coach Thomas is honest by taking time to work with all levels of student’s strengths and builds on their ability to get stronger.”

All schools that run beginners →

👤 Private Lessons

“Love this place coach Thomas is the best of the best brakes everything down for you, and great one on one training as well.”

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🔥 Fitness & Conditioning

“Whether it’s a stress relief, to get in shape,to bulk up, to have fun, DEFINITELY building your cardio, hit coach Tom up.”

All schools that run fitness & conditioning →

🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“the studio is great for anyone looking to improve their fitness and learn self defence.”

All schools that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Krav Maga schools are often multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at IB Krav Maga Academy — mined from their reviews and the school's own info.

🏟️ MMA 3 mentions

“Coach Thomas is a great teacher he gives the full training, not only the mma training itself but also the physical preparation to do it.”

Other schools that also teach mma →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 3 mentions

“🥊 With a large striking area downstairs and a brand new addition upstairs for grappling, this place has it all.”

Other schools that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the school's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, Muay Thai, boxing, or firearms defense alongside your Krav Maga, confirm the current schedule with the school.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 27 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, real-world instruction 6 mentions

“Coach Thomas is a great teacher he gives the full training, not only the mma training itself but also the physical preparation to do it.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“Coach Thomas is honest by taking time to work with all levels of student’s strengths and builds on their ability to get stronger.”

🤝 supportive, no-ego gym 8 mentions

“A friendly, welcoming atmosphere to teach real techniques that have been proven to work.”

🔥 great workout & conditioning 3 mentions

“Whether it’s a stress relief, to get in shape,to bulk up, to have fun, DEFINITELY building your cardio, hit coach Tom up.”

💗 welcoming to women 3 mentions

“Thomas is very patient and has taught me so much from the beginning, doesn’t care if you’re male/female, he will take the time to make sure you learn the proper technique.”

🤲 patient, hands-on coaching 3 mentions

“Thomas is very patient and has taught me so much from the beginning, doesn’t care if you’re male/female, he will take the time to make sure you learn the proper technique.”

From the reviews

I’m Coach Oscar purple belt under Richie Boogiemen Martinez from 10th Planet freaks and I’m the NOGI Jiu Jitsu coach ,here , everyone is welcome to join my class where I cover all types of scapes and submissions

★★★★★ — Óscar, Jul 2025

I made a decision to work my cardio and get back in shape and learn self defense, I was not in the best of shape when I started but over the time you build up cardio get better as you train , The workouts at this facility are the best , We have age range from 14 teens to mid 60’s , I’m 61 (I would rather be the oldest…

★★★★★ — Lourdes, Jan 2025

Coach Thomas is one of the best you’ll ever get. It’s like finding a really good restaurant that nobody knows about. He puts a ton of attention into his students individually, and is honest about what you require to any goals you have.

★★★★★ — Tony, Jul 2022

I am having the BEST experience with these classes! I encourage anyone to come to these classes if you're on the fence about it. I was hesitant at first since I have diastasis recti from my pregnancy and was worried some of the moves would injur me further.

★★★★★ — Raven, Sep 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 27 reviews →

New to Krav Maga? Start at IB Krav Maga Academy

IB Krav Maga Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly school, going by their listing and students’ reviews. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a self-defense class, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or athletic to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build the fundamentals (stance, movement, and core self-defense techniques) over weeks, and controlled pressure-testing eases in gradually so every drill stays safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or Level 1 class time so your first session is alongside others who are also just starting out. Most schools are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first Krav Maga class at IB Krav Maga Academy

Nervous about walking into a Krav Maga school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling a few core techniques with a partner — controlled and at your own pace, not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: comfortable athletic clothes you can move in — there's no uniform or special gear you need to buy to get started. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — most schools have everything else you'll need for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call what to bring. Pressure-testing eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid — you won't be sparring hard on day one. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign in and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Krav Maga is a contact activity. Ease in, train at your own pace, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find IB Krav Maga Academy

1220 Elm Ave, Imperial Beach, CA91932

Get directions

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and student reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.