Kickboxing is a combat sport that is full of action. It combines boxing with karate strikes from the feet and hands. The sport is a mixture of a Americanized aerobic workout and Asian-style martial arts. Kickboxing utilizes jabbing, punching and kicking. It shares a number of techniques with traditional boxing, Muay Thai and savate. Many gyms offer kickboxing classes, too, with variations including Tae Bo and cardio kickboxing.
History
According to TryExtremeSport.com, kickboxing is the product of a martial art from Thailand known as Muay Thai, a discipline practiced over many generations.The sport moved to the United States when martial arts become popular among villains in western movies. Since moving to the United States, it has produced similar styles, ranging from combat to a cardio-focused workout.
Styles
Several variations of the sport include cardio-karate kickboxing, Thai Bo-power kickboxing, aerobic-dance kickboxing, American kickboxing, Muay Thai and Shaolin boxing. The aerobic versions of the sport use kicks and punches that are loosely based on the arts with minimum attention given to self-defense or fighting techniques. Thai Bo-power kickboxing is different as it requires contact sparring, the use of the heavy bag and teaches the correct movements for powerful blows. Cardio kickboxing focuses on karate movements such as releasing moves, take-downs and joint locks.
Belts and Degrees
According to USA Dojo, masters-level ranks are called dan ranks. Holders of dan ranks usually wear black belts. Higher dan ranks are awarded to those who have made an outstanding impact in martial arts, such as champion fighters and coaches.
Tournaments
The sport of female kickboxing became popular because of the number of females who mastered karate and wanted to try an action-packed combat sport, according to "Kickboxing for Women" by Jennifer Lawler. "The Kickboxing Handbook" by John Ritschel states that although there are various tournaments around the globe, most of the events take place in Thailand because of its relaxed rules. It also states that in countries such as Australia and the United States, it is illegal to strike with knee joints or elbows.
Benefits
Kickboxing aids in increasing martial art skills, flexibility and physical strength. Learning the art of kickboxing empowers women by teaching self-defense techniques that would allow them to stave off an attack or unwarranted abuse. According to the American Council on Exercise, kickboxing also strengthens the cardiovascular system. The constant movement involved burns calories, boosts the metabolism and elevates the heart rate.
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