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How to Choose a Fitness Kickboxing School
Cardio Karate and Fitness Kickboxing
Karate and kickboxing have undergone the aerobic facelift of the century and come out hot, sexy and ready to rumble under the banner of “Fitness Kickboxing.” The new form of exercise will be featured in the July 25th issue of “Parade,” the newspaper Sunday supplement, the latest of the many national media that have focused attention on this trend. NAPMA has been offering Fitness Kickboxing programs since the rage first began sweeping the country in 1996.
Fitness Kickboxing, which couples aerobic exercises with martial arts and self-defense movements, incorporates rhythmic punches and kicks to pulsating funk music. There are two types of classes: those with equipment like heavy bags and pads, and those without. Unlike conventional martial arts courses, participants wear aerobic outfits, loose-fitting workout clothes, athletic shoes, and, for bagwork, hand-wraps and light gloves. Fitness Kickboxing is known by several names: Cardio Karate, Tae Bo, and Cardio Kickboxing, to list a few. Whatever the name, it is packing classes with new clients coast to coast, particularly young adult women.
Enrollments have doubled in many martial arts schools because of the trend. Others have added as many as 20 classes to accommodate the huge influx of participants. And there are some 20,000 martial arts schools in the U.S. “Business is up 60% in the martial arts,” says Rob Colasanti of “martial arts professional” magazine. “I estimate that 80% of the new business comes from women — and it’s due directly to the popularity of kickboxing-related exercise programs.” Since 1997, the National Association of Professional Martial Artists (NAPMA), headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, has certified more than 2,000 people to teach its brand of Fitness Kickboxing, called Cardio-Karate. They’ll certify 1,000 more in 1999. “Fitness Kickboxing gives you all the fun of kickboxing without the pain of getting hit,” says NAPMA spokesman Jim Graden. “Plus, you burn 800 calories in a 50-minute workout.” But Graden warns that even without contact, kickboxing can be dangerous. Hips, knees, shoulders, arms, and lower back are at risk in programs taught by poorly trained instructors. He says it is safety first above all else that should guide someone when choosing a class.
NAPMA also recommends:
- Instructors be certified by NAPMA for Cardio Karate/Fitness Kickboxing.
- Beginners get a pre-class lesson on proper form for punches and kicks.
- Wearing cross-trainers with light tread, for foot rotation.
- Boxing hand-wraps and gloves be worn whenever hitting a bag or pads.
- Absorbent flooring is a must.
- Bags and pads should be in excellent condition.
- Classes should not be overcrowded.
- A professional program offers a variety of good instructors, class times and workout methods.
- If the instructor’s motto is “No Pain, No Gain,” yours should be, “Find a New Place to Train.”