This may sound like a crazy question, but can people turn Cardio Kickboxing into self defense techniques?
These type of kickboxing classes are some of the most popular around.
Zumba, Pilates, Yoga, and cardio based kickboxing classes are some of the widely offered type of fitness classes. So maybe Yoga or Zumba may not help someone in a real life combat situation, but why not Kickboxing with an emphasis on Cardio?
Depending on the level of instruction, gear being used, and supplemental training, cardio for kickboxing could be the start to many people’s self defense journey.
What is Cardio Kickboxing?
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Kickboxing for cardio is a group fitness class that uses martial arts techniques combined fast-paced cardio. These workouts are high-energy, with an emphasis on building stamina. Improving coordination, cardio gains, flexibility, and burning calories are huge parts of this workout.
Though they offer a full-body aerobic exercises with boxing and martial arts moves, these classes rarely offer much technique. The strikes are kept basic, while leaning into high energy moves.
The Benefits of Kickboxing
When you see advertisements for these classes, they usually bill a few points. Weight loss is a huge factor in why someone would take these classes. Kickboxing for cardio is great for weight loss.
Learning kickboxing and boxing techniques are often advertised as a benefit. People have to start somewhere and it could be worse than these classes.
Of course improving your cardio is huge reason to take these classes. Just by their nature cardio is an excellent reason why a class would be taken.
Like with most exercises, it reduces stress and anxiety.
Often time these kickboxing classes are paired with having self defense benefits. It’s a nice byproduct but these cardio classes are usually not strictly made for combat situations.
What to Expect from your First Kickboxing Class
Show up early, ask questions, and prepare to blend both cardio plus kickboxing workouts. Usually a solid warm-up will be put place. Also be prepared to do not just striking, but also every day fitness style drills.
What kind of strikes can you expect to throw?
Kickboxing Upper Body Techniques
Jabs
Crosses
Hooks
Uppercuts
Kickboxing Lower Body Techniques
Knee strikes
Front kicks
Roundhouse kicks
Low kicks
In other words, all of these movements are good for building muscle and stamina.
Can Cardio Kickboxing be Good for Self Defense?
“LombardMMA-FIT blends real kickboxing and self-defense techniques with strength and conditioning exercises to provide a fitness video workout to do in the privacy of your own home.”
Above all, the big question is will any of this help in a real life combat situation? In conclusion, these kickboxing classes can help provide a base of techniques. Though cardio for kickboxing alone is not enough to protect oneself versus a real threat.
For instance, the main goals of these classes are to get in shape and lose a weight. Learning any type of striking fundamentals is just the cherry on top to the cardio gains. In other words, taking these classes will give only the most basic knowledge of striking. Which can be used during a number of self defense situations.
Other Self Defense Alternatives
Therefore, cardio for kickboxing is a start but no the finish of larger training methods. Similarly, MMA, Muay Thai or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu would all be better options as martial arts go. After that, the decision is up to you.
In the options above, they emphasis technique and skills with cardio gains as the byproduct.
Check out MMA Vs. Boxing: What To Train? Which Style Is More Effective here.
Read What is the Best Martial Art for Self Defense here.
