I think it is great...if you can find the right class.

I used to take it from the JG gym when it was in Germantown. The "beginner" class was a bunch of mixed levels. Too hard to try this new thing when "sparring" with someone far more advanced.

Also, rarely women. So forced to spar with men; that was too difficult trying to hold the bags for them, etc.

Also the guy who mostly taught - he was great. But he had a GF who seemed to regard every single woman as there to take her man. She was not nice and her constant presences glowering at all the females was very counterproductive.

I would like to go back to it. But I would like a female only class, beginner only class, or to do a class with my husband (so I know the guy with whom I have to pair up and dont care that he is sweating all over me).

PP here. I still remember a lot of their self defense techniques and it was over 10 years ago.

I did it when I first moved to DC (after the Chandra Levy disappearance). It is very empowering. I loved it. I got the confidence to lose weight (it's as intense as you make it but lots of running, punching, kicking). I will say there are a few downsides.
1) I got more aggressive. Knowing how to fight made me behave in an aggressive way in situations that didn't warrant it ( someone spilled a drink on me and I was much more confrontational vs letting it go). I never got in a fight but I was ready.
2) I had to quit after I had advanced to a level where I was the only girl left. The guys were much stronger than me & I didn't feel like I was in the same league anymore. It took one class of accidentally getting punched in the head (his hand slipped off my punching gloves and he clocked me across the face) to realize I didn't want to go any further ( I'm a real wimp!).
It's definitely a cardio booster, it's definitely about surviving and it's definitely fun. I think you'd find it what your looking for... Just be mindful so that it doesn't make you too aggressive.

Yes, you will be empowered! I also met my husband there.

I would definitely do it! I did it for about 18 months after a bad break-up and it was a lot of fun and did wonders for my self confidence.

Things to know:

1) It's not cheap. I paid for a monthly membership and then there were a million workshops and seminars that in retrospect I see were moneymakers for Krav Maga TM.

2) It's formulaic. You learn certain moves and do them over and over again so that you'll feel comfortable doing them without thinking. I liked this aspect of it, but some people find it boring after a while. Like you'll work on chokes for a while, then kicks, then elbows.

3) It's hard work. There is a lot of conditioning involved: pushups, burpees, punching for ages. You're welcome even if you're not in great shape, of course, but you need to be prepared to put in 100 percent effort every time. When you get to the drills, people do punch and kick HARD, so be prepared to get beat on. I was 35 when I did it, but not the oldest one in the group! However, there were a lot of young people who were light years ahead of me in terms of fitness and ability.

I had a great time and only quit when I tore a rotator cuff. Definitely check it out!

I would love to know this too.

I've had the hardest year of my life. I'm finally starting to get everything on track. I've always been a quiet, non-confrontational person. I've definitely not spoken up for myself and have let people walk all over me in the past.
After the year I've had, I don't feel like being quiet anymore. I am definitely more confident
I lift regularly and love it but am looking for something that will take me to the next level. I want to feel like a badass.
I've done some research and have read that Krav Maga might be what I'm looking for.
I'm a 32 y/o female. I exercise regularly but have gained a bit of weight over the last year.
From what I understand, it's very cardiovascularly intense. Can a kind-of out of shape person handle this?
Recommendations? Thoughts?