Kickboxing Class Description

Practiced across the world, kickboxing is a popular fighting style that incorporates strikes with your hands and feet. Individuals use various methods to teach self-defense while improving their fitness. These self-defense techniques are valuable if you are approached by an attacker. Fitness classes are also constructed to use kickboxing to build cardiovascular health.

  1. Significance

    • Kickboxing as a martial art is practiced in many different venues across the world. With roots that trace back to Thailand's muay thai fighting style, kickboxing was brought to Japan during the 1950s. Osamu Noguchi is created with helping form what is today known as kickboxing. He wanted to bring the contact aspect of muay thai to the realm of karate. The new sport gained popularity in Japan and spread to other continents including North America and Europe. K-1 is the largest kickboxing promotion in the world today. This organization brings fighters together to partcipate in kickboxing matches and tournaments held around the world.

    Self-Defense Classes

    • Kickboxers are known for using the hands and feet to inflict damage upon opponents. In a self-defense kickboxing class, you will learn how to effectively strike numerous areas of the body. Teachers will help you develop the ability to throw punches and kicks while moving and remaining balanced. Some forms of kickboxing will teach you how to attack with your knees from different ranges. You will also learn how to dodge, defend and counter the offensive attacks of your opponent. Additional training may be taught on how to perform in the ring during competitions.

    Cardio Training Classes

    • Kickboxing classes can also be constructed to help improve your cardio. These classes will not teach you self-defense techniques, but the intense and active routines will keep you moving. These classes are built to burn calories and use muscles that you do not use during everyday activities. Kickboxing for cardio classes begin with light stretching and warmup exercises such as jumping jacks. The instructor will guide you through numerous punch-kick combinations to keep your body warm and active. These classes will give you a new way to burn calories and lose weight.

    Styles

    • Kickboxing has grown to be a popular sport across the planet. Many cultures have developed their own take on the fighting style, incorporating unique aspects along the way. American kickboxing closely resembles the Japanese style with changes to the point system to allow for more scoring. The French developed savate kickboxing, which requires the use of shoes during training and competition. Shoot boxing was also developed in Japan, taking aspects from kickboxing, wrestling and grappling techniques. Research the different forms to see which follows the fighting style you desire.

    Considerations

    • Kickboxing for self-defense, fighting or fitness purposes can be an intense activity. Consult your physician before beginning any program. You may also want to begin light running and stretching exercises to prepare your body.