Getting in the (Kick) Boxing Ring
Kick boxing is a MMM (Mixed Martial Art) that is a descendant of karate, Muay Thai, and western boxing techniques that is used for self-defense, sport, and for a terrific cardio workout. Your basic moves are punches and — of course — kicks.
- Punching: Jabs, Uppercuts, Crosses, Hooks
- Kicks: Front Kick, Side Kick, Semicircular Kick, Roundhouse Kick
These are the very basics you need to master before moving on to more complicated moves such as strikes, advanced punches, or advanced kicks.
While you can find tutorials on the internet, | recommend taking actual classes with instructors who are right there to show you how stand, how to breathe, and how to perform each move, and do it in a way that will not cause injury.
The last thing you need in your fitness quest is a trip to the orthopedist — or the bill. Your body needs to learn how to make these moves in a disciplined way in order to be most effective.
You can also buy equipment for your home to work with when you are not in the dojo — in fact, | recommend it!
Start with a freestanding cardio punching bag, gloves and hand wraps, and a mat at minimum.
Once you get started, you can work out at home as well as learning in the dojo from an instructor.
Here are a few combinations of moves that can get you started.
Upper Body Workout:
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Jab + Cross
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Jab + Cross + Jab
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Jab + Cross + Jab + Duck
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Jab + Cross + Uppercut Left + Uppercut Right
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Hook Right + Uppercut Left + Uppercut Right + Hook Left + Duck
Lower Body Workout:
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Front Kick Left + Front Kick Right
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Front Kick Left + Side Kick Right
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Side Kick Right + Front Kick Left
I recommend learning the high kicks, semicircular, and roundhouse kicks from an instructor, and incorporating them into your routine as you become more comfortable with performing them. If you are fairly active, exercising vigorously at least 30 minutes a day, three to four times a week,
I don’t anticipate you will have much trouble getting this routine off the ground. If you are more sedentary, regardless of your weight, I would start with a workout of 20 minutes three times per week, with five minutes added each week.
Learn and Live:
With the right combination of diet and exercise, you will feel a difference long before you see it. You may notice that you walk differently, that you have more energy and more stamina, your clothing fits better, you don’t have “brain fog” and that you feel less depressed or anxious.
These are all benefits of exercise and nutritious diet. In 60 days — a little over eight weeks, you will have a firm grip on the results that you’ve earned.
But why stop there?
You should be proud that you are starting a new way of living and taking care of yourself, regardless of how much weight you lose.
You are worthy of feeling your very best, being healthy at any size, of learning new things, and meeting new friends. Keep going!
You only stop growing as a person when you stop learning, and there’s no reason to ever stop learning.
You can do this, and help is there waiting for you.
At Park’s, we want you to succeed, and will do everything we can to take the journey with you.
