Worried about kickboxing!

[Jul]

I did Kathy Smith's kickboxing the other day (sort of as a "practice" for Cathe's new one) and boy oh boy am I TERRIBLE! What worries me more is that Kathy Smith's is not overly difficult and I know Cathe's will be more challenging. I have tried Taebo and don't really care for it much - I can't keep up on the "double-times" and use bad form always leading to a back ache the next day. I am getting pretty turned off by kickboxing. Any suggestions for practicing? When Cathe's new one comes, I'm going to probably save it for last because I now feel intimidated by kickboxing. What is everyone else's experiences with these tapes? I'm trying really hard to like them, but I just don't. My legs just don't seem to do what they are supposed to do!!!

 

[kathryn]

kickboxing

Jul,
It does take a while for your body to get used to kickboxing moves if you haven't done them before. I found that speed especially (on double times, etc.) takes a while to develop. But just think of the bright side---you have something to work up to, which is much more fun than having a video you can breeze through the first time with no problem, but which gets boring very fast. I would suggest keeping your kicks low until your form improves (back soreness can be due to trying to kick too high, too soon). If you find this discouraging (because you want to do those high kicks), just remember, the most devastating kicks in a self defense situation target anywhere from the shins to the solar plexis--that though may help you feel "powerful" even though you're not kicking high. As for double time kicks, stick with single time for now and concentrate on form. Throw in a few double times with each session, until eventually you can do them all.

 

[lwseymour]

Hi Jul

Hi Jul,
My first and only experience with kickboxing left me with a bad impression also. I bought Rachel Hunter's cardio kickboxing (I believe that was the name). I wanted to try kickboxing and had read somewhere that Hunter's was a safe and good one to try. (I usually don't try supermodel workouts). But in this case, I gave it a shot.
Since I'm not educated on the subject of kickboxing, I can't really say if it was truly a good video choice to try or not; all I know is that I did not enjoy it and didn't want to try kickboxing again. Maybe I simply chose the wrong video.
HOWEVER, I am definitely gonna try Cathe's Cardio Kicks because it sounds to me like it is more of a hi/lo workout combined with some kickboxing flavor (think I read that somewhere on the website) and I LOVE HI/LO. I believe that people like you and me (that are not impressed at first with kickboxing), should give Cathe's a try. I never worked up a sweat on the video that I tried and I believe this led me to feeling like I wasted time and didn't get a good workout. Alot of the video that I chose was kinda instructional, whereas Cathe has mentioned that hers will not be instructional. Was the Kathy Smith workout alot of instruction? Did you sweat and feel like you burned a lot of calories?
I believe that Cathe's will be quite different and that people like us will have a whole new view of kickboxing afterwards. Just my opinion.
Good luck to both of us in our kickboxing efforts!!
Lisa

 

[honeybunch]

This is how I started....

.....before I used my Taebo tapes. I had Chuck Norris' tape "Private Lessons" which I did twice. He is VERY meticulous with his instruction. THEN I did the Taebo instructional tape twice. You have to get those kicks down right......practise you form before you jump into the workouts.

The Norris tape includes an aerobic workout which is not too fast or strenuous, but good to practise form.

Now I do Taebo on a regular basis, and DID find that my kicks inproved with practise. Balance is something that you have to develop.

My humble opinion for what it's worth.

 

[Kim]

Kickboxing

i know how you feel because I felt the same way not too long ago. I initially decided to give up on kickboxing because I felt too uncoordinated, but then i thought back to when i first tried step and hi/low choreography and how terrible I was. Everything takes practice, you have to be patient with yourself and your body.
Don't give up on the Kathy Smith tape, I believe this is a good starting point. Practice your kicks using a chair at first. Keep practicing!
I recently got Dawn Pappas Intense Live workout and loved how she incorporated kickbox moves with hi/low. Ever since that experience I have been practicing again for Cathe's tape.
Good luck, I really know what your going through. I am still a klutz, don't feel bad.

 

[Debra]

I use Smith's Kickboxing

I picked Kathy Smith's video because I was concerned about form & safety. I like it, especially Keith Cook, but still get lost on some of the moves. I just slow down & keep moving. Keeping the kicks low is good advice. Also really pay attention to your abs. Make sure they're held in to support your lower back. I love & hate the core strength work at the end of the tape.

Can't wait for Cathe's tape. Even though she says it's not instructional, her cueing & form tips are always great. Must be a masochist as I'm sure she's going to kick my butt.

 

[momfourlife]

Kickboxing

When my kids see me get put the Taebo tape in the VCR they know they are going to see a clown in action. I also think that the Taebo basic tape is way past boring. Still the kicks help keep me awake. It is amazing how I can screw up the moves but Cathe is such a good instructor that I have high hopes for her tape.

Susan

 

[sabella]

I started with the Chuck Norris, too....

It really is a pretty good way to learn the basics. Every now and then, I'll still pull it out and tack the "aerobic" part on to another short tape (it's a whopping 20 minutes long). And I am always suprised at how much I feel it in my shoulders the next day (in a good way). It's probably the only one easier than Kathy Smith that I would recommend. I had (have??) that Rachel Hunter one, and it is somewhat cringe-worthy, as are most of the other easier kickboxing tapes.

 

[jennfier]

Count me in as another "gambler"

I, too, stink at kickboxing, but I really like it when I manage to get it right, so I thought I would take a chance with Cathe's tape. My big problem is not being able to keep up with the kicking & punching combinations. When I kick high, I fall behind. I think I am going to practice some of my kickboxing tapes with the kicks low to prepare for Cathe's tape. Some of the kickboxing tapes I have that seem easier for me are: Franny's Kick Itt (only 1-2 combos are real hard & it does get your heartrate up), Gay Gasper's Step 'n' Strike from 2K01 (Gay builds a kickboxing combo mixed in with a step combo, so you are repeating the kickboxing moves, plus getting a break from the kickboxing), & Denise Austin's Power Kickboxing (Denise also mixes in lots of jacks & high knee jogs, but as usual, watch out for her cuing!)Hopefully, practice will at least make us better, if not perfect! Good luck everyone!

 

[Colia]

Hi Jul!

I found the TaeBo instructional tape to be very helpful - doesn't really count so much as a workout, but if you really get down his form pointers, I think you'll be able to get into kickboxing pretty safely. I didn't know anything about kickboxing either, and without that, I know I would have been headed down injury lane.

Good luck!

Cheers,
Colia

 

[Hippychick]

I love Taebo Advanced Live!

I know that most of the people here enjoy complex choreography so obviously they don't like Taebo.But Taebo Advanced Live tapes has done a lot for me in weight loss and toning! Anyway, if you're new to kickboxing i would suggest Cory Everson's Cardio Kickboxing and Kathy Smith's Kickboxing Workout. I also think the GI Jabb with Katalin is great! I hear Aaron Lankford's Power Kicks is very good too. Check out Collage.com
for more info.

 

[Leela]

Its new to you and you will get it.

I had the same experience with KS's tape the first few times I did it. I now can do it without problems.

I recommend GI Jabb - Katalin's instruction and her tapes are superb.

Of course - no one compares to Cathe and I can't wait to get her new tapes!

Leela

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Jul!

Maybe if I share one of the sentences in my opening speech with you it will help you relax. "....we are not martial arts experts and we don't expect you to be either

".

I, personally, think it takes years of isolated study to develop the technical skills required to execute kickboxing moves with impeccable form, total precision, and accuracy. Knowing that I cannot offer this level of expertise to the many kickbox fans that we now are gaining, I decided to create a workout that has the flavor of kickbox moves but also remains intense, fun, and safe(even if your form or technique is not technically correct). I don't get hooked up on toes pointed, toes flexed, foot turned down, strike with the inside edge of the foot, etc. I encourage you to have your own style and have fun with the workout. If you are an avid kickboxer looking for a technical workout, this would not be the workout for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a variety of workout styles and would like to try something that offers a new way to move your body and challenge your muscles, then Cardio Kicks is for you. Hope this helps to ease your tension

!

 

[Jul]

Thanks Cathe - it helped!

It also helped knowing that I am not alone in feeling like a "clown" - I laughed so hard when I read that post! I tend to be overly critical of myself and get aggravated when my body doesn't help me out! Thanks everyone, I'll keep kicking away and maybe at least get a good laugh - good for my ab exercises!!

 

[UpNOver]

kickboxing (long)

Hi Jul, I'll add my two cents worth as well.

First, I'm really glad that Cathe introduces a "disclaimer" in her kickbox-style tape. (Sorry, Cathe, I can't think of a more appropriate word and I don't mean this offensively!)

Indeed, if any of us were real kickboxers we would be dissatisfied with the tapes on the market. In order to really have immaculate form and technique you must train with a master, "gwasshoppah"! Personally my funds are limited and I can't afford the sessions this requires. Cathe's philosophy, to promote crosstraining with a variety of sport specific options is shared by many instructors. For example Mindy Mylrea encourages her audience to "have fun" with her kickboxing moves and disclaims trying to teach exemplary form. Many of the instructors who are the specialists aren't overly concerned with form either. They have a 60 minute mission to tempt you with kickboxing flavour and hopefully instill a demand for more of their butt-bustin' workouts. So we're not gonna qualify for any black belt accreditation with these tapes!

NOTE: I believe there are some martial art video programs out there that do profess to be school-style instructional. Their series ranges from $200 - $500!

Everyone has recommended great starting tapes. I was unsure about the whole kickboxing thing after my first experiment with the Tae instructional. (No offense to Tae fans but I was torquing my bod in really unsafe ways as newbies tend to do) Along with Kathy Smith and Norris once or twice a week for a couple weeks the difference in my comfort level and body movement awareness increased dramatically. Katalin instructional also instills confidence and she is very good. Her more advanced tapes are famed. I don't mean to say you have to buy or trade for every one of these videos. Just using one for several weeks will do the trick. Kickboxing is now one of my all-time favorite crosstraining options!

You will eventually develop preference for style.
Some people prefer a more choreographed, dancier style of kickboxing such as CIA's Janis Saffel. While others prefer an athletic approach such as Aaron Lankford's PowerKicks which leaves me dripping. Mylrea's flavour is more athletic and the new TKO, while choreographed, does introduce some athletic interval work. Keli Roberts also has CIA kickboxing tapes. So there's a whole world of tapes available.

I'm really looking forward to Cathe's tapes. I'm so happy with the current rage of inserting different cardio segments in one workout. Have you ever noticed that even the most favored workouts can get kinda old because you're doing this one thing over and over! I also really like the shortness of Cathe's crosstraining tapes. So easy just to tack on another 20 minutes of something different! As far as kickboxing goes, you know we can ALWAYS depend on Cathe. And I don't think you have to be Shoalin Temple member to be ready for her segments! She is the reigning queen of "refreshing aerobics." That woman will probably be having us do punches, uppercuts, and kicks WHILE doing HEADSTANDS! (you CAN do headstands can't you) hee hee hee

I strongly believe in the fun factor. The tapes with the "let's have fun factor" don't age. Once you feel comfortable you can make them harder by secreting in better and more focused technique. I do this on all my older tapes by really focusing on all-over muscle contraction, specifically upper-body awareness.

This is long. And probably should have been placed somewhere under other video discussions but I did want to follow suit with my own thoughts. Please don't despair! I bet you'll cross the line and become THE resident kickboxing nut!!!!!

Cheers,
Kathy

Remember that we all stumble on those first attempts at anything new!

 

[natalierugejohnson]

Don't worry!

The best thing about Kathy Smiths video and Tae Bo Advanced (the better of the 2 in my opinion) is that I can make a fool of myself at home and no one sees me! I would be horrified to do kickboxing at a club. I have also discovered that if you really throw those punches you will get an excellent upper body workout. Can't wait for my cathe kickboxing video to get here!