Real-world Krav Maga and self-defence on your doorstep at YMCA Thornton. Our open Saturday morning session welcomes all ages from 5 up — the perfect place for Thornton, Cleveleys, Anchorsholme and Fleetwood families to start. A child's first session is free.
YMCA Thornton on Victoria Road East (FY5 3SX) is home to our open weekend session — and it's just minutes from Cleveleys seafront, Marsh Mill and the centre of Thornton. There's a car park on site and the slot is deliberately family-friendly: all ages 5 and over train together, so parents and children can come along at the same time.
It's the easiest possible way to try Krav Maga. No experience, no kit, no pressure — just turn up in loose clothes and trainers, learn two rounds of genuinely useful self-defence, and decide whether it's for you. Kids' first session is free; adults can trial two classes for £19.99.
Want to train more than once a week? Our Blackpool venues run Monday to Wednesday evenings, all a short drive down the coast. See the full timetable →
YMCA Thornton, Victoria Road East, Thornton-Cleveleys, FY5 3SX.
On-site YMCA car park. Step-free access into the hall.
Saturdays, 11:00am – 12 noon. All ages 5+ welcome.
The Saturday session at YMCA Thornton is all-ages — juniors, teens and adults train side by side — and weekday evenings in Blackpool cover each age group separately. Every student trains the same Krav Maga Global curriculum — the system founded by Imi Lichtenfeld and developed under Eyal Yanilov — scaled to age and ability, and every class is taught in person by KMC's certified coaching team, led by head instructor Kev (17 years of Krav Maga, fully qualified adult and kids' instructor).
Stranger awareness, anti-bullying mindset, escape strategies, basic strikes and falling safely — heavy on games and drills, light on lecture. Classes capped at 16 with an assistant coach.
Real technique applied to situations teens actually face — corridors, bus stops, grabbed phones and bags — plus verbal de-escalation and awareness in public spaces. Light, controlled contact only.
The full KMG curriculum: strikes, kicks, and defences against punches, chokes and headlocks. All fitness levels welcome — you control your own intensity from day one.
Wear normal gym kit — loose clothing, clean indoor trainers — and bring a water bottle. No uniform, no gloves, nothing to buy. Arrive five or ten minutes early at the YMCA and introduce yourself to the coach; mention it's your first time and flag any injuries.
A typical hour runs warm-up → technique → drills: the instructor breaks a move down step by step, you practise it with a partner using light, controlled contact, then repeat it in slightly more realistic conditions until it feels natural. You set your own intensity and can dial it back at any point — beginners are expected every single week.
YMCA Thornton, Victoria Road East, FY5 3SX — minutes from Cleveleys seafront and Marsh Mill, with on-site parking.
Saturdays, 11am–noon, open to all ages 5 and over. Weekday classes run at our Blackpool venues Monday to Wednesday.
Yes — the Saturday session is all-ages, so families train side by side. A child's first session is free.
Loose, comfortable clothing (normal gym kit), clean indoor trainers and a water bottle. No uniform or equipment needed — if you carry on training we'll point you towards a gum shield and gloves after the first few weeks.
No — all fitness levels train together and you control your own intensity. Contact is light and controlled, especially for beginners; the odd bruise happens in any contact activity, but serious injuries are rare and every session is supervised by certified coaches.
Open all-ages session, 11am–noon. Kids' first session free, adults 2 classes for £19.99. Just bring loose clothes and trainers.
Krav Maga Complete · Blackpool