This month I decided to try
chinese kickboxing not knowing too well what to expect as
there are different types of styles (Japanese, American, Mua
Thai, Indian….)
Kickboxing is a sport that
uses kicks and punches and is practised as a full contact
sport or it can be practiced for general fitness. It came toEurope in the late 70´s and with time it
became more and more popular with more dojos and fitness
centres teaching different styles of this martial
art.
I went along to the class with an
open mind and I was pleased to see that it was quite similar
to some kickboxing I had done years ago but it also added self
defense techniques.
We started the class with a warm up
followed by boxing exercises with self defense techniques.
After this you are given some special boxing gloves and is
time to start and punch the bag with different strikes using
your fists, knees, elbows and shins. You also spend some time
on one and one “fight” with your instructor and I can tell you
, this is fun but very
tirying.
After one hour of moving around
time to cool down with stretch
exercises.
All in all this a great way to let
steam out of your system, burning lots of calories and learn
some self defense techniques. On your first class it can be a
little bit overwelming the amount of information that you are
given (how to punch, why you hit in certain parts of the body,
what happens if you don´t use the right part of your body to
kick or punch….), but I found that on my second class, the
whole thing was much easier. The teachers keep an eye all the
time on you and you are given exercises depending on your
fitness level and
experience.
The class was very relaxed as you
don´t feel pressured to do more than you can. It was nice to
be in a mix class with men, women and children which shows
that everybody can enjoy and do this
activity.
You only need to wear comfortable
clothes and sports shoes and the gym suplies you with the rest
of the equipment. You don´t need to be fit and even disabled
people can practised this sport. Just have a chat with the
teachers and they will be able to adapt the exercises to your
requirements.
AGE:
8-90
DIFFICULTY: Adapted to your fitness
level
FITNESS REQUIRED:
No
EQUIPMENT: Supplied by the
gym
You can try kickboxing and other
fitness courses at:
California
Fitness
Avda.
del mediterráneo 91. Local
1
04638 Mojácar
Playa
Tel 950 478 155 or 670 711
254
For kickboxing call Sarah on 662 370
829
