5 Reasons You Should Take a Self Defense Class
There’s more than one reason women are getting their kicks and throwing a few punches.
Curious about getting fit and staying safe? A self-defense course is the perfect fit. Colleges and police departments host free courses. You can also try SHIELD Women’s Self Defense, IMPACT Boston, and the R.A.D. Systems of Self-Defense.
5 Reasons to Take Self-Defense
You'll learn more about staying safe than just moves.
Students are taught that physical self-defense techniques are a last resort. More important, the classes provide lessons in avoiding potentially dangerous situations. You’ll practice your loudest get-away-from-me yell, for example, and learn to be more aware of your surroundings and issues that might arise when you’re out and about on your own.
RELATED: 6 Multitasking Workouts To Try
You'll feel in control.
Learning how to defend yourself can help give you the same “I’ve got this” feeling you get from rocking a work presentation or hitting your goal weight. “People say they leave class feeling more confident,” says Jocelyn Hollander, PhD, a sociology professor at the University of Oregon who researches women’s self-defense training. “You discover that you’re potentially really powerful—and that your body can do amazing things.”
You'll sharpen your instincts.
Want speedier reactions? “We train the brain so that if you’re feeling threatened or someone puts a hand on you, your first response will be to throw a strike,” says Gabrielle Rubin, founder and instructor at Female Awareness Self Defense in New York City. It’s a good idea to practice, she adds: The repetition can improve your muscle memory so you’re always ready to bust a move.