Kickboxing

The style of kickboxing is very similar to its parent art form of Muay Thai. The rules that are to be followed in both these martial art styles are more or less the same like having one minute intervals and maintaining the practice of elbow and neck wrestling. This kind of neck and elbow wrestling is not allowed in the American version of this art. The American style, on the other hand is more modern in its approach and it allows strikes only with the help of hands and legs, and very rarely with the use of shins. This characteristic of American kickboxing makes it less derived from the ancient Thai technique of Muay Thai and more like a mixture of normal boxing clubbed with karate.

A few of the basic techniques used in this art form are being followed ever since its origin. For instance, the punches, strikes and kicks in the form of the roundhouse kick, the uppercut and the hook have been practiced since their introduction by Osamu Noguchi. In addition to these evergreen techniques, there are a few techniques that have developed over the years like kneeing techniques of leaping knee strike and straight knee thrust. This mixture of old time tested techniques along with the new and advanced strikes makes the martial art form of kickboxing an ideal choice not only for self defense but also for keeping one’s body fit.

In recent years, this form of art has become a favorite fitness activity. Men and women of all age groups have begun to join kickboxing classes in order to keep their bodies in healthy and toned shape. Especially women are taking keen interest in this martial art form as it helps them to lose a considerable amount of weight. A class that teaches this art form consists of a lot of power movements, squats, arm movements and a high intensity cardiovascular workout.