Hollywood Hunks Get Ripped With Krav Maga
Image by Getty Images
Details has only just now caught on to the popularity of Krav Maga, the famed Israeli approach to self-defense training. The magazine seems to have noticed a critical mass of male celebrities using the program to get in touch for their roles on screen — and in life. “Made in Israel. Imported by Hollywood’s A-List. Coming soon to a health club near you,” shouts its article’s subtitle.
Among the Hollywood hunks mentioned in Details’ Krav Maga story are Daniel Craig, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio and John Mayer. British actor Jason Statham reportedly also used the technique to train for his role as “an ass-kicking man of mystery” in his new movie, “Safe.”
“Directors are coming to us because they want realistic fight scenes,” Darren Levine, founder of Krav Maga Worldwide, told Details. David Kahn, U.S. chief instructor of the Israeli Krav Maga Association, added that the “emphasis on ‘continuous combat motion’ provides the toning you’d get from boxing, with better full-body results.” But “most people are never going to have to use the fighting skills, but they’re going to come out of a workout feeling empowered.”
Ashton Kutcher is also reportedly a Krav Maga devotee. He has said that he does it so he can be in proper shape to “save the people I care about.” That’s a lovely, caring sentiment. But we shouldn’t discount the simple fact that what might be motivating him is that when you start training you begin “envisioning yourself as a bad-ass,” as Kutcher’s instructor reflected.
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
