Kick Boxing Martial | Exercise and Fitness

012.16.07 Kick Boxing Martial

Kick Boxing Martial

The media leads us to believe that a few secret martial arts moves will destroy any attacker, improve your grades and make you popular with girls. Courses like these sold like hotcakes back in the 1970's. As a teenager I lost plenty of money and time to some of it.

Fact of the matter is, bullying usually happens to people lacking social skills or connections. Even the weak guy on the hockey team is less picked on than the geeky guy. (You know the new student, sci-fi reader, different neighbourhood, single mom). He is less connected than most other teens. There is less chance of retaliation if he gets picked on than someone with plenty of friends.

So, the rush to the nearest dojo or cage fighter coach, might not be the best option for the picked on guy. Moving up the social ladder will save more beatings than martial arts or self-defense training. If you are going to go the fighting route, keep in mind that there is a difference between fighting, martial arts and self-defense. I learned this the hard way, that the time you are being attacked, it is often too late. You are now engaged in a one-sided fight. And the odds are not in your favor.

So, self-defense is avoiding an ambush. You have to learn to read the signs that bad things are coming your way. In the school or urban area, this can be theft or assault, no matter which way you dice it. Some creep just wants to hurt someone. Sometimes, its you. More on this later.

Now fighting is often squaring off with another guy. Differences are settled and that was usually the end of it. Nowadays, it can lead to legal matters.

Martial arts is a set method of a skill that is used in fighting or the later stages of being attacked. It can be used for fighting and self-defense. Let me explain how.

After several years of martial art training and beatings, I finally found a good kick-boxing club. I found that, at the beginner level, aggression, speed and stamina would beat out skill. So, if you are a 160 pound 18 year old, mostly muscle with basic boxing or kick-boxing skills, you will usually defeat a 130 pound or 190 pound out-of-shape martial artist. Four months of good kick-boxing training will usually outclass the out-of-shape person with a green belt in karate or judo. (Unless they are from a hard core school like the Gracie Jujitsu).

Still with me?

Now the guy who can keep his mouth shut about kick-boxing for four months and can spar in the ring for 3 rounds, hit the bag for 3 rounds and skip for 3 rounds, can usually do pretty good in a fist fight. About 90 percent of the population does not have the ability to judge distance, time a punch or take a hit.

Now our hero is much fitter in four months, so he moves and acts with greater confidence. That in itself can make a mugger or bully think twice about approaching him. I know. That is how it happened with myself. Keeping my mouth shut about training, kept the naysayers from trying to drag me down, again. Once I got the timing, hitting power and fitness, I felt better about myself and made fewer social errors. (eg. Saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.)

Of course, being younger and a bit reckless, I did engage in a couple of confrontations and was successful due to: physical conditioning and ability to hit and keep hitting. It was messy business and I was scared. But more scared than going back to being picked on. Straight and hook punches worked the best. A couple of kicks are handy, but if your foot gets grabbed, then you are on the ground. Regardless of what UFC does, the ground is not a good place to be.

So, the picked-on guy has to overcome his prejudice against physical training (and the jock associated with it). Fitness and intelligence work hand-in-hand. Some of the best martial artists are also some of the most brilliant people. After 30 some years of fitness and martial arts training, I can honestly say that it did wonders for my health and confidence. Something you cannot put a price on.

Doug Setter holds a Bachelor's of Food and Nutrition. He has served as a paratrooper and U.N. Peacekeeper, has completed 5 full marathons and climbed Mt. Rainier. He held a welterweight kick-boxing title at age 40. He consults clients in alcohol reduction, stomach-flattening, kick-boxing and nutrition. He is the author of Stomach Flattening, Reduce Your Alcohol Craving and One Less Victim. Visit his website: http://www.2ndwindbodyscience.com

What's the better overall style of martial arts to take? jiu jitsu or kick boxing?

these are the only stlyes offered where i live, not really sure what im looking for but just whatever one would help me out best in fighting and leadin into a interest into more martial arts someday

Jujutsu is more comprehensive, and you'll be able to use it longer. Kick Boxing loses it's viability as you age, and it's just punches and kicks.

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