Kickboxing originated in Japan during the late 1950s, as a group of stand-up combat sports, which mixed karate with boxing. It’s generally considered a hybrid of various martial arts, formed by borrowing elements from a range of traditional styles. This approach has become increasingly popular since the 1970s. Kickboxing is practised for self-defence, general fitness and as a contact sport.
How it helps:
Unlike other types of gym training, the Kickboxing Signature Program emphasises on movements. If you want to improve your fitness, power, balance, flexibility and agility, this is the program for you. It’s safe to say that everyone can benefit from this program, irrespective of age, as it involves short 2-3 minute bouts, of intense, repetitive movement – like hitting a punching bag over and over again or kicking and kneeing a pad held by a trainer. Research on high-intensity interval training [HIIT], says that these short, intense periods of activity have big benefits. Even 60 seconds of HIIT can offer the same gains in heart and lung health as 45 minutes of less intense exercise.
Kickboxing has been shown to improve fitness, power, flexibility and agility, according to a study of healthy men in their twenties who trained three days a week for five weeks.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai or Thai boxing is a combat sport from Thailand, which uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. Muay Thai is referred to as the “Art of Eight Limbs” or the “Science of Eight Limbs”, because it makes use of punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes, thus using eight points of contact, as opposed to using two points (fists) in boxing and four points (hands and feet) in other more regulated combat sports, such as kickboxing.
How it helps:
If you like to be challenged on a daily basis, the Muay Thai Signature Program is the one for you. Not only does it require you to use your hands, elbows, knees and feet, but it also gives you a mental workout, as it needs intense concentration to anticipate your opponent’s next move. It’s also impossible to have workout fatigue because you’re always learning new skills and improving your strength. Well-known for being one of the most hardcore workouts, this program trains you for physical exercise, self-defence, attack and recreation.
