Need help with kicks in Cardio Kicks

B

Barbie

Cathlete
Hi Everyone!

I just did Cardio Kicks last night. I've never done kickboxing before and my kicks are pathetic! Does anyone know how I can improve my kicking? Just keep doing the tape or do you have any other suggestions? I do have the PS Stronger Legs & Abs and Leaner Legs. (I have only done PS Legs 4 times and haven't done Leaner Legs yet.)
Thanks in advance for your help!

PS It was a hoot! I REALLY enjoyed it! And I'm proud of myself for actually being able to do it!
 
Hi Barbie,

I found that over time my kicks got better. It just takes time and repetition.
Also, I got the video "Power Kicks" by Aaron Lankford, which utilizes front, back, side and roundhouse kicks at a slower pace, so that also helped me build both kicking strength and endurance, and sharpen my kicks overall.
But even if you stick with just CK, you'll get better and better with each session. It just takes time and practice, and focus on form. :)

Donna
 
What also helps is holding on to the back of a chair and just do continuous kicking (roundhouses, sidekicks) then after you have mastered that let go of the chair and do the kicks. Gradually your balance will improve as well. Amy Jo
 
Also make sure your hip flexor muscles aren't too tight. When you are warm, stretch them a little and you might feel a difference in your kicks right away.
 
You'll be amazed at how well you progress with this tape.

I remember when I first started doing Cardio Kicks I had done a little kickboxing but not on a consistent basis. I could do the front kicks fairly well and was OK at the side kicks...when they were done slowly. When Cathe started doing the side kicks back and forth repeatedly (in the warm up), forget about it! I would do about 2 and have to stop before I fell over.

After some time of doing the tape regularly, I could do more and more without losing my balance. Now, I can go back and forth along with Cathe and can even concentrate on the "snap and recoil".

I also remember practicing the kicks outside of the workout, especially in front of a mirror. It helps to do them slowly and really think about kicking with your heel.

It's funny you asked about this because I just finished a CTX rotation and every time she had me doing all those side kicks I thought back to when I couldn't do them at all!

Take care,
Mikie
 
I would recommend a tape that breaks down the moves. Some good ones at teaching form are Power Kicks (already mentioned--there is a beginning form section, and a section at the end of the workout where you practice various kicks while holding onto a chair. There is also a workout called "Kick It" with Antoinette Ur.... that has a similar kicking section (a DVD is available with this workout and another "Kick it" workout. Another good instructional video is G.I. Jabb. THis usually comes in a set of three videos, on of which is the instructional tape. You might be able to get the instructional tape on a trade, though. It is about an hour long (if I remember correctly), and is very thorough.
 
A mirror will definitely help and I like to pick a point that I am aiming at with my foot so I'm not just kicking the air anywhere. Does that make sense. I take Lotus (form of Karate) and I guess I get this from that. Makes it easier to me if I picture myself kicking a specific object (if I was doing the PH low end lunges I'd probably imagine kicking Cathe, but since I'm pretty happy with her during CK this is not the case!!JK) :) :).

Briee
 
Tell you what I'd do - get on E-bay and get a Taebo Intro tape and a Taebo basics tape. Do the Intro tape a couple of times after you've watched it first, then do the Basic tape. That should prepare you for CK, 'cause Taebo has lots of kicking. I started with Taebo, and I think it's great. That's a good starting method.

Just Do It! :)
 
I think flexibility is everything when it comes to this. As Connie said, when hip flexors are very tight, as well as hamstrings, I notice a definite decrease in sharpness of kick execution as well as height. But, even with the stretching, when Cathe goes to the real fast side-to-side kick pace I must say I look like a chicken wobbling about. Maybe it's my itty bitty short legs!!LOL!!

Janice
 
Thank you all so much!
I practiced all week and made sure that my hip flexors were stretched and really did beter this time. (My 2nd time) There was a noticeable improvement....plus my upper body isn't sore. (Last week I was unbelievably sore!)This is a really fun workout, I'm going to enjoy doing it often ( and improving!)
 
Barbie,
I had only used Cathe's 2 kickboxing tapes. I got 3 of Janis Safell's kickboxing tapes off the firm swap and found the drills very good for technique. She starts slower and give details about form. Since practicing with these I've found my kicks are stronger and my form is much better. I love Cathe, but as I hadn't done any kickboxing before, I could have used more form pointers. Just a suggestion. Cathe is still my number one for intensity!
Lynn
 
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