IT IS the East End of Glasgow on a Friday night and a group of men are engaged in fierce combat. But this is not typical city gang violence - it is the ultimate fight club.
Dozens of students from all walks of life have been flocking to take part in a no-holds-barred self-defence class.
It is a tactical and practical way of fighting off attackers. But the teachers, John Miller and Simon Dix, make it clear from the start the system is for defence only.
The classes, in Petershill, are not designed to train have-a-go-heroes or encourage violence.In fact, John and Simon make it clear the first rule is to run away wherever possible.
Simon, a mental health nurse, and John, a prison officer, started learning the system to defend themselves at work - and to get fit.
They were trained by Eyal Yanilov, one of the world's top teachers.
More than 200,000 people worldwide practise Krav Maga to increase fitness, confidence and learn skills that will help defend themselves.
Learners are taught to hone their natural responses by kicking, punching, elbowing, butting, eye-gouging and biting any vulnerable part of your attacker you can reach.
You could say it is a fairly no-nonsense approach to self-defence.
The philosophy behind the warrior workout is "protect and survive", so there are no hard and fast rules or sequences of difficult moves to remember.
"It can come across as quite an aggressive system, but the primary aim of Krav Maga is self-defence," says John.
"The classes have to be accessible to everyone, regardless of age, sex, ability or fitness level - they have to be at a level comfortable for you.
"We do not ask anybody to be in any position where they might be uncomfortable.
"We try and make the training as realistic as possible and we graduate it up so that, as the student grows in confidence, we put more pressure on them. We pressure test the training to simulate as best we can the adrenal response.
"Our youngest student is 16 and our oldest 67. We have had people with physical disabilities. Everyone can do it."
For women, the class has potential to be very intimidating. Out of about 40 participants only three are female and the men are physically imposing - I am paired with a nightclub bouncer with muscles to be proud of.
But Simon believes the classes are ideal for women and hopes to set up a female-only class if he can generate the interest.
In fact, the unarmed combat system has attracted a slew of celebrity fans - actresses Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie and Cameron Diaz all do it.
Simon added: "Women can be intimidated when they see a class of men coming along.
"But we have some who attend. One woman told me her biggest hurdle was actually coming to the first class.
"Her confidence is now sky-high and she has gained a lot from it.
"One of the things we are looking at is a female-only class and also at preparing against possible sexual attacks.
Gemma Brindley, from Maryhill, is one of the three women in the class.
The 32-year-old scientist has been attending for four months to learn to defend herself, should the worst happen.
She said: "I would hope to never have to use it but I know now that if I am attacked I won't be useless.
"I can understand why some women would be intimidated by attending, but you can take the lessons as far as you are comfortable with and move at your own pace without any pressure."
Phil Munro is a doctor in the Southern General's Accident and Emergency department.
The 42-year-old decided to start taking Krav Maga classes after seeing several people attacked at the hospital.
Now he feels more confident knowing that if anything happens he will be able to deal with it safely.
Dr Munro said: "I learned karate when I was younger, but I wanted to learn something that was more practical and more self-defence oriented.
"Several people have been assaulted where I work and, while there are no 100% guarantees with these things, Krav Maga would at least improve your chances when attacked.
"The teachers are very supportive and they make it clear your first line of defence is to run away, so there is no encouragement towards violence."
Simon and John run classes in Petershill Sports Complex on Tuesdays from 7.30-9.30pm
Further Information
(This article was reproduced with permission from Evening Times Online
