I tried Krav with my hubby, about 10 years ago. It was interesting and very tough. We quit when it was clear that many others in the class were merely interested in fighting and that’s all. It was no holds barred and the instructor did little to curb it. Many people were hurt and someone was always bloody. I understand they try to simulate real life as close as possible and the techniques used were really amazing. However, we didn’t want to be beat up in the process of learning the craft.
That being said, I recommend everyone try it. The knowledge gained was worth the experience. They do teach more than punching/fighting. It’s just so many concentrated on how hard they could hit,,it was like they were trying out for the UFC or something.
I was in a kung-fu school like that once.
My old karate school was almost as bad.
When I learned Krav Maga, the guy teaching it was cool and it was much more pleasant. He was an actual fighter who worked in the middle east as a body guard for the Saudi Royal family and he also learned Muay Thai in Thailand.
I recommend Shima-ryu Ninjutsu, now taught only in Deer Park, Long Island, since my sensei/brother-in-law passed on. It’s deadly and effective, but the teaching method is much more gentle.