Krav Maga offered at new Rexburg gym

REXBURG -- A new gym in Rexburg, Payne Athletic Company offers an intense martial arts training program – Krav Maga.

Originally developed for the Israeli military, Krav Maga has been modified for self -defense purposes.

Owner and instructor Isaac Payne has practiced various martial art forms and said most are artistic but impractical. He said Krav Maga teaches an adaptable fighting style.

“(It’s) totally based on what actually works in the streets, what works well for law enforcement, what works well for military,” Payne said, “It’s made to keep people safe, that’s really the goal.”

In Krav Maga people learn to defend themselves through pure rage and aggression.

“If someone attacks you, you’re making them regret that decision from the very moment it starts, and with that attitude that’s what’s going to save your life,” Payne said, “There’s no magic technique, there’s no silver bullet. It’s that attitude that’s going to save you.”

Payne said the martial art system draws from many styles of hand-to-hand combat.

"It really is kind of a mix. They draw from Muay Thai, they draw from Aikido, they draw from Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, boxing,” Payne said.

Payne says there are five tiers in mastering Krav Maga. Level focuses on basic defenses, combative, and escaping chokes. The higher levels teach weapons, and knife fighting disarms.

Weekly participant Isaac Nydeggar says the details of the fighting technique are learned progressively.

“When you’re first beginning they emphasize more on action, so you build technique as you go over time,” Nydegger said.