Stars like Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Lopez swear by it -- Krav Maga, the Israeli martial art turned celebrity fitness craze.
This week, Krav Maga came to Marblehead, as the Jewish Community Center offered a Krav Maga camp to kids from around the North Shore.
"It's not every day that someone teaches you how to defend yourself with kicks and cool moves," said Marina Bron, 11, of Swampscott. "We're learning how to disarm people and we're playing games. I love it."
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Israeli special military forces have been using Krav Maga for generations. The self-defense system spread around the world in the 1980s and is now a popular workout. There are hundreds of Krav Maga schools worldwide.
"Many celebrities have seen the athletic benefits of the Israeli way of training," said Krav Maga instructor Gershon Ben Keren. "This burns a lot of calories and probably produces the ultimate physical and emotional workout."
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Angelina Jolie reportedly practiced Krav Maga two-to-three hours a day for her movie, Salt. Jennifer Lopez, Lucy Liu and Hillary Swank are also reportedly devoted fans.
In Hebrew, Krav Maga means "contact combat." It is based on the principles of respect and survival, according to Ben Keren who runs the Boston Academy of Krav Maga and is teaching at the JCC this week.
First, students learn the importance of self-respect, and to always look for ways to avoid violence. If they are attacked, or cannot escape a confrontation, Krav Maga teaches them how to defend themselves.
There are no real rules in Krav Maga. There is kicking, punching, pushing, arm twisting -- you name it.
At camp, the kids are "learning to gain control of their bodies and move them in a way which will help them deal with any type of physical assault," Keren said.
"Mostly they are getting a huge kick out of just interacting with other children in a physical and very real manner."
This week's Krav Maga classes featured challenges and races -- like the gorilla walk where kids crawl low on all fours, as if beneath barbed wire. Those who came in last had to drop and do 10 push-ups.
"It's hard work," said Alex Nunez, 9, of Salem. "I get tired, but it's fun."
The students also learn what to do if they find a firearm or are attacked by someone wielding a weapon.
"It helps keep us safe," said Adam Gansenberg of Marblehead. "We're learning how to disarm someone. We're really defending ourselves."
Even more than the boys, girls at the camp seemed to enjoy throwing punches and blocking kicks Keren said.
"It's awesome," said Jillian Belliveau, 8, of Burlington. "I want to keep doing it."
If you're interested in checking out Krav Maga, you can contact Ben Keren.
