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What Really Makes a Great Class?

January 24, 2026 by KMMA

Good morning Team KMMA Family,

I was recently having a conversation with some of our Sensei and Certified Instructor Trainees about a simple but important question:

What actually makes a great class?

I shared with them that, first and foremost, a great class has to be a good workout. Students should be moving, sweating, challenged—and yes, smiling. Energy matters. Physical effort matters.

But if that’s all a class offers, then honestly, you could get that at a gym, a fitness studio, or almost anywhere else.

     So a great class can’t just be a workout.

It also has to include quality instruction—real martial arts skill, proper technique, and intentional coaching. And at KMMA, that instruction goes further, weaving in character development and leadership training—the very things that make our Black Belt Leadership Program so unique and transformative.

     But here’s the key insight I shared with them:

If an instructor only talks, students could get that from a book, a podcast, or a personal development course.

     

     The real magic of a great class happens in the synthesis.

It’s the fusion of:

  • Physical challenge and personal growth

  • Technique and mindset

  • Discipline and encouragement

  • Leadership principles applied under pressure

When students are learning, moving, thinking, leading, and growing at the same time—that’s when real transformation happens. That’s when confidence is built, character is shaped, and leaders begin to emerge.

That’s what we work to deliver every single day at KMMA.

If you’re reading this and have ever considered martial arts training for yourself or your family, know this: we don’t just train bodies—we develop confident, capable leaders. If that resonates with you, we’d love to invite you in to experience it firsthand.

And for our current students, this same philosophy is exactly what we train our future leaders and instructors in. If you’ve ever felt a pull to go deeper—to lead, to mentor, or to be part of shaping others—our Certified Instructor Training (CIT)and MAP Leadership programs are designed for that next step. If you’re curious, ask a Sensei or reach out—we’re always looking for the next rock stars to develop.

As always, thank you for being part of our KMMA family and for continuing to train, grow, and lead with us.

With respect,

Grandmaster Stephen Del Castillo
Founder & Chief Instructor
Krav Maga Martial Arts