If you’re interested in kickboxing, but you don’t feel that you have the time to learn it, there are many ways that you can learn kickboxing quickly.
Obviously, as it does with any new skill, it would take longer to master. However, if you put your mind to it, you can learn the basics in no time.
How long does it take to learn kickboxing? If you just want to learn the basic punches and kicks then it does not take but 6 months to a year. This would be based on how much you train or practice each week. To master it would take many years of training.
Once you decide what you are looking to get out of kickboxing, you just need to work to achieve it.
If you simply just want to know the basics, then all you have to do is get in the right mindset. Then you need to set time aside to train.
If you are looking to master it, just know that it is definitely going to take much longer.
You may also want to fight in kickboxing matches. This type of training will be more intense and require hard work.
Kickboxing is just like normal boxing or any form of martial art you get what you put into it. The time it takes to learn it will also depend on how you are training. It depends on whether you are teaching yourself, learning online, or learning from an actual instructor.
Here are some tips on kickboxing and learning it in a timely manner.
What Exactly is Kickboxing?
Kickboxing is known as a combat sport that is standing up and using kicking and punching. It is basically karate mixed with boxing.
Kickboxing is mostly used for fitness, self-defense, and generally as a combat sport.
When looking at kickboxing in the broader sense many other martial arts fall under the kickboxing umbrella.
Muay Thai and other martial arts are considered by many to fall under kickboxing.
Here are a few kickboxing sanctioning websites:
Learning Kickboxing Online
There are several great resources online to learn kickboxing. If you simply type in how to learn kickboxing in your search engine you will see your options.
There are many options for learning kickboxing, Muay Thai, karate, Krav Maga, Jiu-Jitsu, and other specific forms.
Some are just free videos on YouTube while others do require a monthly membership to access.
This site actually has an online training area where you can sign-up to learn free kickboxing techniques.
You can check out some of the YouTube training on the basics before joining a gym or signing up for our free online training.
Learning kickboxing online is something that you can easily do and the cost is free or at least much cheaper than going to a local gym.
What Equipment do you Need to Learn Kickboxing at Home?
If you are interested in learning kickboxing at home, it is important that you are first equipped with the right gear. First, make sure that you actually have a place to practice in your home.
After that some basic things that you may need include athletic clothing, cross-training shoes, hand wraps, a punching bag stand, boxing gloves, and a punching bag.
Hand wraps and boxing gloves are important because they provide protection for your hands and wrists.
Boxing gloves obviously provide more protection but the hand wraps will give you some additional protection.
I use hand wraps all the time because my hands will hurt after training if I do not use them.
You can also train lightly when hitting the punching bag or kicking it. To protect your hands just do not punch them at full force all the time.
Hitting the bag lighter will preserve your hands but still give you the training you need.
Learning Kickboxing with an Instructor
There are usually kickboxing studios in most cities that offer classes. This is ideally the best way to go about learning a new skill.
Most places will either charge monthly or by the lesson. Also, clubs and organizations will let new members attend free for a week to test out the classes.
This is a great way to just try it out to see if you would like it.
Most instructors will tell you that you should easily be able to learn the basics within three to twelve months.
This is actually pretty quick considering that most martial artists spend their whole lives devoted to training.
You could even ask your friends to go to the classes with you as well.
There are two types of gyms for kickboxing. The first gym may only offer cardio kickboxing like Title Boxing Club which is a franchise in the US.
You also have an actual martial art gym that teaches you kickboxing the sport or martial art.
The cardio kickboxing gyms teach basic punching and kicking. You then use those basics to get a good workout on the punching bags.
This is a great workout and will help you burn calories. You can also learn the basics of boxing.
Kickboxing training in a gym that actually teaches sport fighting or the martial art side is going to be different.
The goal is to get a good workout but you are training with actual instructors that know the fighting aspect.
This is going to be different than just using a cardio gym like Title Boxing.
Learning Kickboxing on a College Campus
If you are currently in college, odds are that there are some classes you can take to learn kickboxing.
Many colleges include kickboxing on their list of classes for certified instructors to teach to students.
Utilize your resources at school and attend one of the classes. Also, look out for what I mentioned earlier about clubs and organizations.
A popular social night for many clubs has been to rent out a kickboxing studio and have a beginner kickboxing lesson.
If you are interested maybe mention this idea to one of your clubs or organizations.
This would at least show you if you like kickboxing or not and if you do then you have the opportunity to learn it when it is convenient for you and for free or discounted.
Get Into Shape
It is important to realize that you will be able to train hard in kickboxing if you are already in shape. So this means that it would be a good idea to get in shape before doing kickboxing.
This is why kickboxing is great for fitness because it encourages you to stay fit even outside of your lessons.
You don’t need to go to the gym every day it simply just means that doing some cardio a few times a week is a good idea.
If you are going to classes with an instructor, they will probably tell you the same thing.
Don’t get scared of videos this is more hard-core kickboxing training. This is how you train to get into fighting shape.
Set a Goal
The best thing to do when learning a new skill is to set a goal for what you want to achieve. If you set your mind to successfully learning a new skill it really helps the overall process.
Mindset is key.
Before you start you should write your goals down.
Writing your goals down will really solidify this in your mind and will help. Believe it or not, having an open mind is really a big part of the process of learning how to kickbox.
How Often to Practice
The average time to spend training in kickboxing is two to three days a week. Your muscles need time to relax.
However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t do some light cardio or weight lifting on your off days.
If you want to become a kickboxing fighter then you will have to train 6 days a week. Look to a gym that offers training for fighters. They will have a program already laid out.
Overdoing it is only going to hurt your muscles and end up you getting hurt. Give yourself the off days and work hard on the practice days.
Benefits of Kickboxing
If you are looking for bettering your coordination kickboxing is definitely the way to go. No matter how unathletic or athletic you are, you will notice a huge improvement in your coordination.
It also gives you a chance to focus on honing your energy.
The different kicks and punches that are used in this specific martial art really focus on placing your energy in the right places.
Basically, there are so many different benefits to learning kickboxing. You are learning self-defense, increasing stamina, getting in shape, and helping with balance.
Don’t let yourself miss out on all the great benefits you could get from learning this new skill.
Conclusion
Overall you can successfully learn how to kickbox quickly. Learning any new skill takes time and effort.
Kickboxing in around 3 to 12 months you should know the basics and be pretty good at combinations in kicking/punching.
It also depends on what way you go about learning kickboxing, whether that is in person, online, or just on your own. All of these things may take the learning process at a different pace.
It is also important to realize that every person is different and will learn at different paces.
This is just how it goes with new skills and martial arts in general. It doesn’t mean they are any better or any worse, it just means that their minds and bodies work differently than yours.