Workout Tips

Getting Started >> Equipment >> Diet

GETTING STARTED

Kickboxing fitness programs have grown to be among the most popular conditioning programs today rated by Muscle and Fitness Magazine^TM as "One of the top ten workouts EVER". As more and more people become involved, more progams are being offered. Unfortunately some of them are being put together simply to meet the demand with little regard for the safety and satisfaction of the student. There are many good programs across the country and this is a general guideline of what to look for in your quest for total fitness.

• Determine your needs and physical limitations.
  Are you looking for weight loss, endurance, improved strength, improved muscle tone and strength or just looking for a new cardio activity to round out your existing workout. Do you have any past or present injuries that might hinder your training. The better programs will provide you with alternative activities to compensate for any injuries.


• Find the programs in your area and observe classes.
  Check the qualifications of the instructors. Do they have introductory classes? Do they require contracts or offer month to month "pay as you go"?


• While observing classes ASK QUESTIONS!
  When buying a car, appliance or clothing you compare price and quality. Do the same with your conditioning program. Is the instructor paying attention to the members? watching for incorrect techniques? are they personable and involved in class? Is the class filled and if so are there assistants to aid new students? If the class is totally aerobic in nature are you able keep up with the routines? If they use hand wraps are they applied properly or just to add to the "feel" of being a boxer?


• Look for Technique
  Programs such as Kickboxing for Health are very technique oriented. If techniques are taught incorrectly it almost guarantees discomfort and injury. It is the instructors responsibility to assure the student undertands what is expected of them. Again ask questions, there are many good instructor certifcation programs,Kickboxing for Health^TM, NAPMA, ISSA, ACE and FIT to name a few. Being a black belt or successful aerobics instructor does not guarantee a successful program. Ask about the instructors background and experience.


• Ask about Equipment
  If they glove up and use targets are they using gloves that offer proper support and protection. There are many makes and styles of gloves available and some are designed for aerobic type programs only and offer no support for target work.


• Check on their payment plans and take their introductory program.
  You certainly don't want to get locked into a long term contract and find out it is not the type of program you were looking for.
  

CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

Ok you have checked everything out and now it is time to take your introductory class and begin your journey to fitness..

• CLOTHING
  Your workout outfit should be loose enough to allow freedom of movement and comfortable, but not too loose! This type of activity envolves a lot of kicking and raising your legs so I stongly recommend spandex type undergarments. Many students attend their first class wearing sweats and believe me it didn't take long for them to come off!


• SHOES
  Should be comfortable but the style depends on the type of surface the class is held on. Some martial arts schools are carpeted and some sneaker styles "cling" to the carpet not allowing you to pivot and causing strain to the ankle, knee and hip when kicking. I personally do not recommend jogging or running shoes as they are designed for additional lateral support and again do not allow proper movement for kicking, it is a personal opinion but I have found it to be true in many cases.


• EQUIPMENT
  is quite simple depending on the type of program you have decided on. If it has you Glove up and strike targets then you will want proper support in your glove and a wrap that allows between the finger support as well as the hand and wrist. Most facilities will have "house" gear for the student to use but if you have decided this is the program you want to continue with ask yourself this. Would you wear someone else's sneakers? Of course not, so why put your hands in someone else's sweat!
  I have used many types of equipment over the last twenty years and highly recommend the Waldorf^TM brand. They have spent a great deal of time researching the needs of the kickboxing for fitness industry, constantly improve their product and are the only brand offering gloves especially designed to fit a womens hand. I use them exclusively at all locations.

PROPER FITNESS PROGRAM + DIET = WEIGHT LOSS AND GOOD HEALTH

E-mail Maria