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About Us
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Krav Maga and Fitness of Arkansas
1205B S. University
Little Rock, AR 72204
501.664.KRAV (5728)
info@arkravmaga.com
History
Krav Maga and Fitness of Arkansas opened in August 2004 when Devin Shirley, founder and lead instructor, opened the training center. Devin had been training in Krav Maga for three years in the Dallas area and wanted to bring his positive experiences of Krav Maga back to his home state of Arkansas.
Krav Maga and Fitness of Arkansas is the first and only official Krav Maga training center in the state. The school started with only two students at 9813 W. Markham in Little Rock, inside the Gym and Cafe. At the time, only two classes were in the schedule.
Over time, the training center grew and the schedule expanded, including the addition of fitness classes. Growing beyond the space available in the gym, Krav Maga and Fitness of Arkansas relocated to 10301 Rodney Parham in the Breckenridge Village Shopping Center, where the membership continued to grow for 3 years. At its current location at 1205B S. University, Krav Maga and Fitness of Arkansas has plenty of room for all of its programs and members, boasting 5200 sqft of space, consisting of 3 training rooms, locker rooms, showers, and a large waiting area.
The training center has multiple programs to meet the training needs of its members. Self defense classes are taught using the Krav Maga system, which provides the most practical and effective system of self defense available. The Krav Fit fitness program involves intense cardio and strength/conditioning classes, that will not only get you in better shape, but will help you improve your performance in the Krav Maga classes. The kids program is for ages 5 - 12. Participants in the kids program will learn discipline and respect all while learning and applying the basic principles of the Krav Maga system.
Krav Maga and Fitness of Arkansas is continuing to grow and train both adults and children, giving them the tools they need to protect themselves and their families all while improving their overall health and fitness levels.
We hope you will come in and try out a class because we know that once you try it out, you will leave a better person. Please contact us for more information.
Instructor Bios
Devin Shirley
Lead Instructor and Founder
Devin has been training in Krav since August 2001 and is currently one of about forty active Krav Maga black belts in the U.S. and Canada.
Devin graduated West Point in 1996 and served five years in the U.S. Army. During his time in the army and at West Point, he trained in boxing, wrestling, close quarters combat, kickboxing, and jiu-jitsu. Devin then began work on his master’s degree and graduated in 2000 from Oklahoma State University. After achieving the rank of Captain, he decided to leave the Army and pursue a career in Telecommunications and Information Systems in Dallas, TX. It was in Dallas where Devin began his Krav Maga training. In March 2003, Devin received his first Krav Maga instructor certification and began teaching. In 2004, he decided to return to his home state of Arkansas and open the first official Krav Maga training center in the state.
Devin also holds the Master Fitness Trainer certification from the U.S. Army. He has created and taught numerous fitness programs during his time in the army and at the training centers in Dallas and Arkansas.
Brian Pope
Instructor
Brian is originally from Ohio, but has been living in Little Rock and serving as a Little Rock police officer since 1996.
While working on the streets of Little Rock and dealing with violent confrontations on a daily basis, he found a need for self-defense training and began learning boxing. However, when Krav Maga and Fitness of Arkansas opened, both he and his daughter began training as the first students of the school.
After a year and a few months of training, Devin saw how quickly Brian learned the system and sent him to receive his instructor’s certification.
Brian has two daughters, the youngest of which trains in Krav Maga.
Ronnie Davidson
Instructor
Ronnie is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas. He currently lives in West Pulaski County with his wife of 6 years and 4 year old son. He has been serving his community as a law enforcement officer since 2004.
Ronnie was first introduced to defensive tactics at Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy. When he returned home from the Academy he was searching for a way to continue his training and found Krav Maga. Devin had recently opened the only Krav Maga school in the state and luckily enough, it was here in Little Rock. He joined KMFA as a student in early 2005 and began his official training as an instructor in 2006.
His wife, Amy, also trains in Krav Maga and is on staff at the training center.
Ryan Lewis
Instructor
Ryan is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas and is currently working as an cccupational therapist. Ryan first came to Krav Maga and Fitness of Arkansas in 2006 where he was quick to learn the system. He began his instructor training and received his instructor certification in 2007.
Ryan also has been training for over thirteen years in other various martial arts including taekwondo (olympic and traditional), kickboxing, kenpo, and arnis. He has taught for over eight years in the martial arts and has competed in over fifty martial arts competitions around the U.S. in point-style fighting, continuous fighting, and full contact.
Joe Huskey
Fitness Director/Krav Maga Instructor
Joe Huskey has been a resident in Hot Springs for 30 years, where he lives with his wife and 2 daughters.
Joe has been in the fitness industry for over 25 years as a gym owner and operator and his background includes experience and credentials such as a BS in Health Sciences, Medical Exercise Specialists (MES) board certified, NFPT, ACSM, IART certifications as a personal trainer, and is the Arkansas State Representative for the National Federation of Professional Trainers. Joe has owned and operated Personalized Fitness in Hot Springs, Arkansas for 12 years, specializing in personal training and post rehab exercises.
Joe began his Krav Maga training in 2005 and received his instructor certification in 2007. As Fitness Director, Joe brings his extensive fitness background to Krav Maga and Fitness of Arkansas, providing experience and input on the fitness programs, ensuring that students maximize their ability to defend themselves while simultaneously improving their fitness level.