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Israeli Self Defense

3.7 ★★★★☆ 37 Google reviews · Krav Maga school in Houston, Texas

Krav Maga school Free intro Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons LE & military

Plan your first class

  • Free intro class most schools welcome newcomers with a free intro or trial class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & teens Krav Maga classes for kids — built around confidence, focus, and staying safe
  • 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
  • LE & military training for law enforcement, military, and security professionals — ask about dedicated or group programs
  • Website & schedule israeliselfdefense.net — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 713-252-5836

The classes they run

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

🧒 Kids Krav Maga 7 mentions

“Israeli Self Defense is great for both adults and children wanting to learn self defense.”

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🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“Long Answer: Israeli Self-Defense is a Christian-oriented, family-centric, and beginner friendly school that sincerely wants students to learn, grow and succeed.”

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👤 Private Lessons 2 mentions

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🛡️ Self-Defense 24 mentions

“Long Answer: Israeli Self-Defense is a Christian-oriented, family-centric, and beginner friendly school that sincerely wants students to learn, grow and succeed.”

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🎖️ Law Enforcement & Military

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Other martial arts here

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

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

“Classes offered in Krav Haganah, Maui Thai, Combat Fitness, Aikido, Brazilin Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Stick-fighting, and Firearms are diverse and compliment one another.”

Other schools that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

🥊 Boxing 2 mentions

“Classes offered in Krav Haganah, Maui Thai, Combat Fitness, Aikido, Brazilin Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Stick-fighting, and Firearms are diverse and compliment one another.”

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🦵 Kickboxing

“For more traditional martial arts, the school offers boxing, kickboxing, and jujitsu.”

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🎯 Firearms Defense 4 mentions

“Classes offered in Krav Haganah, Maui Thai, Combat Fitness, Aikido, Brazilin Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Stick-fighting, and Firearms are diverse and compliment one another.”

Other schools that also teach firearms defense →

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 37 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, real-world instruction 5 mentions

“John is one of the best instructors in the area.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

“Long Answer: Israeli Self-Defense is a Christian-oriented, family-centric, and beginner friendly school that sincerely wants students to learn, grow and succeed.”

🤝 supportive, no-ego gym 13 mentions

“Long Answer: Israeli Self-Defense is a Christian-oriented, family-centric, and beginner friendly school that sincerely wants students to learn, grow and succeed.”

🎯 practical, effective technique 13 mentions

“This is functional real-world self defense that will work for anyone regardless of size, athleticism, or level of fitness.”

🧠 builds confidence & awareness 5 mentions

“After a few sessions I could see her confidence building and she asked to attend more sessions.”

💵 good value / fair pricing 2 mentions

“Alot of Amazing classes, super affordable prizes, patient and knowledgeable teachers best self defense you'll ever go to.”

From the reviews

This program is hands down, the best thing we could’ve chosen for our son to be involved in. He thoroughly enjoys what he’s learning in class; he adores and respects both his coaches, Jacob and Tyrone! He especially enjoys the structure and camaraderie. The coaches are phenomenal and just so great with the kids!

★★★★★ — Audra, Nov 2019

John is one of the best instructors in the area. He is articulate and thoroughly covers the materials and fundamentals of self defense. He covers the importance of distance, timing and situational awareness. He creates an atmosphere that is fun, informative, and most importantly safe.

★★★★★ — Thomas, Dec 2024

Great program. My daughter does both Krav Haganah and Combat Fitness and loves it. John the owner is hands on and teaches. Feels like family.

★★★★★ — Dylan, Sep 2021

Alot of Amazing classes, super affordable prizes, patient and knowledgeable teachers best self defense you'll ever go to.

★★★★★ — Antonio, Feb 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 37 reviews →

New to Krav Maga? Start at Israeli Self Defense

Israeli Self Defense comes up as a beginner-friendly school — noted on their own site. 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first Krav Maga class at Israeli Self Defense

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 Israeli Self Defense

17317 El Camino Real, Houston, TX77058

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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.