Kickboxing!

Has anyone had any success with Kickboxing? Who are your favorites and has it helped you lose weight and tone? I am trying Amy Bento's Ring...anyone ever heard of her?

I've had lots of success with Stand up Karate....as far as video's....i don't do workout vids for Martial Arts...they usually do it incorrectly, but I think for what you want, and your goals...it would be ok.  Karate has helped me strengthen my bones, every muscle in my body, and my mind. 

I say go for it if you feel that's what you want to do...it's usually a great workout...no matter who is teaching it.

Thanks! I will def. try Karate someday but for now I use free on demand Sports on Cable at home, gotta save money! my mind always feels clear after it too :) hope to get stronger and toned and hoping it's a good Full Body workout, we'll see... 

I do Muay Thai -- Thai kickboxing -- at a local gym that trains pro- and amateur fighters (okay, so right now I'm out of commission due to a recent bout with pneumonia }:|  I'll be back in training soon, though).  I started training in February, and dropped about 14 lbs in my first month without losing signficant muscle mass (in fact, my upper body strength is better than it has ever been).  I also used to do Tae Kwan Do, which was also excellent for cardiovascular fitness.

My experience has been that kickboxing is a fantastic, high-intensity full-body workout that tones and burns off weight like crazy.  My gym's Muay Thai conditioning class alone (1 hour, 3x/week -- the breakdown: 25% calistenics, 75% fast, high-intensity pounding on heavy bags) whips people in to shape fast.  The guys and gals who train 5-6 days a week are all exceptionally lean and fit.

Fitness kickboxing is usually like 'Muay Thai light,' from what I understand -- in other words, similar to Muay Thai, but sometimes with a bit less intensity, and nobody kicks you in the face :D  (At least, not on purpose.)  I've heard it's great exercise, and, theoretically, anyone who doesn't have extremely brittle bones or severe joint or back problems should be able to do it.  If it's really anything at all like Muay Thai, you'll get a great workout.

Amy Bento's videos get very good reviews -- In The Ring seems to be described as 'fairly advanced,' which might be something to keep in mind if you don't have any kickboxing experience yet.  I haven't tried any videos, either, but if you're not planning to compete, I see nothing at all wrong with just doing videos.  Who knows, you might like it and find yourself training for the ring some day!

If you can afford a large-ish one-time investment, a heavy bag or one of those Wavemaster thingies will add a lot to your workout.  You can get the basic Wavemaster for around $120, less if you can find one used.  They're free-standing, which is handy, because you don't have to buy and install a bunch of equipment to hang them.  Amazon has a 'cardio' model here: http://www.amazon.com/Century-101721-Aerobic- Wavemaster/dp/B000I6K2FE/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8& amp;s=sporting-goods&qid=1240419829&s r=8-10 for $109.  I would guess 'cardio' means it's not as heavy as the ones that are designed to develop striking power, or something.  I'm planning on buying one of these guys after I move in August, so I can train more effectively at home.

Hope this helps!

Edit: In case you're worried, I developed pneumonia because I contracted a resistant strain of strep.  Kickboxing will not cause you to become seriously ill :D

Thank you KoKorozashi!!!

I'm soooo glad Amy Bento's In The Ring is considered fairly advanced! I used to Kickbox years ago and my trainer had asked me if I was interested in Amateur Boxing. SO I am definitely not new to boxing just new to it again in the sense that I am remembering and polishing up on my techniques and combo's.... Her DVD is really intense and I've done it about 5 times now and still JUST getting her combo's down to her level, she's fast! and doesn't give you time to think about what your doing.  

Thank you thank thank again for letting me knw that her reviews are good and that it is a full body work out, that's what I need right now! One great thing I will say is it's gives me bragging rights back again, I used to never tell people I used to box NOW I love saying that "I'm polishing up on my skills" :) It gives you confidence for sure! Good luck to you! sounds amaze! When I can afford it and am in better shape I will def. look into Muay Thai ! ;) 

You're most welcome!  Muay Thai is awesome, and great fun -- if you do get to try it, I think you'll love it.  Of course, I might be just a little biased :D

Maybe once I'm back in action I'll try the Bento DVDs, for the days I don't have class :D

It's a fun work out, but like someone said their actual form is HORRIBLE. I was in martial arts for four years and I haven't seen a cardio kickboxing type vide or class that didn't want to make me cry

SO, basically yes it's a fun cardio work out. Just don't fool yourself into thinking you're learning any actual martial arts or boxing, which is a common mistake I see with a lot of people who do these programs.

The best I have seen actually are the original good ol' fashion Billy Blanks ones. His form is actually not bad for a cardio type DVD for the masses

I have to 2nd Spirochete on the 'don't mistake videos for training for actual martial arts or boxing' part -- but it sounds like you've got that down, anyway :)

Spirochete -- do you recommend any of Blanks' videos more highly than others?

Original Post by kokorozashi:

I have to 2nd Spirochete on the 'don't mistake videos for training for actual martial arts or boxing' part -- but it sounds like you've got that down, anyway :)

Spirochete -- do you recommend any of Blanks' videos more highly than others?

 to me....billy has proper form.  he was also a martial arts teacher back in the day when he was young.  I think ALL the video's are pretty good, and very straight foreword.

Definitely, Billy Blanks. By the way his son's videos are hilarious. Cardioke? Really?

Original Post by spirochete:

Definitely, Billy Blanks. By the way his son's videos are hilarious. Cardioke? Really?

 lol....yo...I hear Billy is like really fat now....over 220 pounds....

are you serious? I remember I used to have the VHS!!! yes I said it! the VHS copy of Billy Banks Tae Bo, he is getting up there in age right? I wonder what made him fat? I would like to see a pic. 

I can't gush enough about my newfound kickboxing obsession! I just started training at a local gym in Feb and I am HOOKED.

I'm training in Muay Thai but the place also trains boxers and you can even learn Shotokan karate. I'm allowed to go an unlimited amount of times but honestly, right now since I'm a newbie, my body's only been able to handle 4 days/week (Mon, Tues, break on Wed, then Thurs and Fri). I was going to the gym and just running my butt off on the treadmill until I found this wonderful website =) I also used to do TKD and although the forms are different, my TKD experience has definitely come in handy b/c of the kicking, which I'm way better at than punching.

The class is one hour long and about the same breakdown as kokorozashi's gym. I hope to get good enough to do full-contact sparring. Some people even do two classes back to back!

I haven't dropped a significant amount as far as the scale goes but I have noticed a SIGNIFICANT difference in the way my body looks, how my clothes fit and I have definitely lost more in my measurements. I have more muscle tone, strength, endurance, energy and oh my god, it's such a rush hittin' those heavy bags (that's my favorite part). I don't sweat nearly as much at the gym as I do when I kickbox.

When I get a bigger house, I am most definitely getting a heavy bag, a speed bag and a double end bag for those days I don't make it to the gym. I used to do Turbo Jam but it got boring and I lost interest.

kokorozashi, that's such a coincidence! When I first started kickboxing, one of the trainers there was out with pneumonia too. Weird! Very scary and hope you recovered well.

You know...it's funny, because my Sensei and I had a convo yesterday about learning the basics of stand-up fighting, and we both came to the conclusion that true martial artists will ALWAYS strive to make themselves better at the simple things like basic punches in order to be god at the complicated things like fighting. 

Fighting is so difficult to understand.  Most people just see people going out and wailing on each other, but it's so much more than that.  The positioning of your feet to make a harder punch, the proper rotation of the hips, how far to have your feet in order to have a really strong counter attack.....there is so much involved.  Learning how to fight properly is one thing, but you'll NEVER fight to the best of your potential until you learn your own body....and a lot of people still don't know what their bodies are capable of, or how to use them.

This makes absolute sense to me. I remember when I had a trainer years ago, he taught me proper rotation of the hips and landing in stance at a certain distance. I know it doesn't explain these things on a dvd at all, it's more cardio hiit workout than a proper fighting training session. It's been years since I had thrown a punch so it's sort of muscle memory I think, but it's coming back very slowly and probably not as efficient as it would if I had a Sensei ;) 

Original Post by shapeshifter:

This makes absolute sense to me. I remember when I had a trainer years ago, he taught me proper rotation of the hips and landing in stance at a certain distance. I know it doesn't explain these things on a dvd at all, it's more cardio hiit workout than a proper fighting training session. It's been years since I had thrown a punch so it's sort of muscle memory I think, but it's coming back very slowly and probably not as efficient as it would if I had a Sensei ;) 

 lol.....very cool.

I've just now begun to understand my body and what it can do....and my fighting skills have improved so so so much over the last year.....but I'm, still not where i want to be....we'll see....once I'min the cage or on the tatami (MAT)....i get really really calm....but that's just the way i prepare for a fight...relaxed.

Wow! Good luck to you, next time you get in the ring, that's pretty amaze! So how do you get "Calm" ? Any cool tips your Sensei taught you? that you sprinkle onward? 

Original Post by shapeshifter:

Wow! Good luck to you, next time you get in the ring, that's pretty amaze! So how do you get "Calm" ? Any cool tips your Sensei taught you? that you sprinkle onward? 

Well before a fight…90% of the fighters get really pumped and a bit nervous….when they do this they get an adrenalin rush.  The rush causes them to get extremely tired very very fast, and they usually have a tough time trying to win the fight.  To keep calm…I usually just keep my mouth shut, and observe the person I’m about to fight.   I see if they are listening to music and if so…what kind…metal, rap, country.  Usually the guys who get pumped up with the music…they are too tense when they get into the ring, and lose because they are not relaxed.  Their shoulders are up high…they can find the proper footing…they get last minute butterflies.  

….I usually don’t listen to music…nor do I care about doing anything else…I’m usually laying on the floor stretching…or talking to people in the audience…It’s a fight….just like any other sport….so why should I be nervous….I don’t get scared of being hit or hurt….if it happens…I’m sure I’ll live so “F” it…go in,…get the job done, and throw your fist in the air when you’re done.

How many different martial arts do you train in? Are you strictly into karate or are you into MMA? I'm really, really liking Muay Thai so far cuz I love the knees and elbows and the kicking is different than TKD but I'm also starting to really like boxing (I <3 Pacquiao).

I have no idea about fighting, really. I mean, we'd spar when I was doing TKD but I guess I never really thought about it the way you put it. lol I'd always get paired up with this one guy who beat me up but it was good practice for my defense =)

Wouldn't it be ok to be a little pumped up and excited? I used to do competitive swimming and that little high/nervousness made me swim faster, I think.

For some people…that’s their thing, but for me….not really.  It works for some people to get pumped up, but for most it really hurts their game, and they might not even know it.  You know how many PRIDE fighters came into the UFC, and said that they have NEVER EVER experienced something so scary…..and they were talking about the level of energy the crowd has.  They said that they were so nervous because of the crowd…it actually became difficult to fight.  The Japanese crowd (PRIDE) cheer for a good clean hit….but the American, Euro, and Canadian crowds (UFC) cheer non stop, and are so freaking loud 24/7. 

Currently I train just Karate; however…I have a group of professionals where I train so they teach me Muay Thai, Karate, BJJ, and TKD kicks.  To me…the most fun and also the most efficient stand up came from my Karate learning.  TKD….i ‘m not a fan of what it is in the USA, but TKD does teach very very good kicks, but I’ve put down many TKD practitioners (not before they gave me some really good body kicks though…lol).  

Sparring is tough…it depends on what your goals are that day, because I don’t spar just to spar.  I spar for a purpose…one day I’ll spar light contact, but without loosing the speed of my techniques (this improves control over your body, and speed)……the next day I’ll spar hard with full contact (this conditions the body, and the bones)……one day I’ll spar with two people at the same time (gets you ready for the real world…this way I don’t lose focus and forget that I also need to lear self defense to defend myself in the real world.  So sparring is very very crucial to me, and I ALWAYS ask “what type of sparring am I doing today”. 

The basic punches and kicks are the letters, moving basics are the words, Kata is the paragraph, and fighting/sparring is the complete story of what you’ve learned.

Original Post by eddiepotter:

For some people…that’s their thing, but for me….not really.  It works for some people to get pumped up, but for most it really hurts their game, and they might not even know it.  You know how many PRIDE fighters came into the UFC, and said that they have NEVER EVER experienced something so scary…..and they were talking about the level of energy the crowd has.  They said that they were so nervous because of the crowd…it actually became difficult to fight.  The Japanese crowd (PRIDE) cheer for a good clean hit….but the American, Euro, and Canadian crowds (UFC) cheer non stop, and are so freaking loud 24/7. 

 

Currently I train just Karate; however…I have a group of professionals where I train so they teach me Muay Thai, Karate, BJJ, and TKD kicks.  To me…the most fun and also the most efficient stand up came from my Karate learning.  TKD….i ‘m not a fan of what it is in the USA, but TKD does teach very very good kicks, but I’ve put down many TKD practitioners (not before they gave me some really good body kicks though…lol).  

 

Sparring is tough…it depends on what your goals are that day, because I don’t spar just to spar.  I spar for a purpose…one day I’ll spar light contact, but without loosing the speed of my techniques (this improves control over your body, and speed)……the next day I’ll spar hard with full contact (this conditions the body, and the bones)……one day I’ll spar with two people at the same time (gets you ready for the real world…this way I don’t lose focus and forget that I also need to lear self defense to defend myself in the real world.  So sparring is very very crucial to me, and I ALWAYS ask “what type of sparring am I doing today”. 

 

The basic punches and kicks are the letters, moving basics are the words, Kata is the paragraph, and fighting/sparring is the complete story of what you’ve learned.

They don't play the PRIDE fighting on TV very often over here. I've always wanted to see a live UFC fight (expensive) but I've watched them on TV and the crowd is crazy from what I can see. I bet it would be extremely nerve-racking enough to really mess with your head and break your concentration if you weren't used to it.

Honestly, I don't have much experience in what true stand-up karate looks like; I only know of those corny belt factory places you see in strip malls in the 'burbs. I've seen some stuff on YouTube like TKD vs BJJ or TKD vs Muay Thai and usually the TKD guy gets his a** kicked.

I really like TKD as an art but I admit being a little partial b/c I am Korean =D I've also always wanted to learn real tai chi and wushu gungfu b/c it's SO beauitful and graceful but goodness know how much money that would cost.

I'm still a noob so I'll probably go, "Hey, that's what eddie on CC meant!" when it's time for me to start sparring =) I haven't even practiced on target mits or anything yet but I want to! And I LOOOVE that saying at the end.

So the karate you do, do you guys have forms too? Or is it like real life streetfighting techniques? I know there's different types of karate too. Which one do you do? The TKD forms are SOOO unpractical but I still liked learning them.