Contents
What is kickboxing?
Kickboxing is a combat sport that mainly involves kicking and punching. It is basically boxing mixed with karate and is mostly learned for self-defense, fitness, and sports.
So, are you planning to learn kickboxing? If yes, then you must be wondering whether it is hard to learn.
If that is the case, then today you have landed in the right place. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about kickboxing, including whether it is a fighting style hard or easy to learn.
Is it hard to learn kickboxing?
YES, kickboxing is hard to learn especially for beginners who don’t have any background in martial arts striking. However, this should not scare you because you can make it if you are committed to learning. Kickboxing is a very technical sport that usually takes time to learn, especially for those who are 100% new to the sport. Kickboxing moves are fast-paced and require super-high concentration, high endurance, and good flexibility.
If you are new to this sport, it will take you some time before you master all the moves and become a pro. You first need to enhance your fitness level before you start mastering the boxing and punching techniques. This means that the first few classes will be really challenging for you.
However, that does not mean that it is impossible to learn. With commitment, consistency, sheer hard work, and good support from a professional trainer, learning kickboxing will not be that hard but a bit challenging during the first few classes.
Most newbies interested in learning kickboxing usually quit within the first two weeks of training. This is because this is usually the most challenging stage of this sport.
When you are just starting, your body is not yet used to this fast-paced sport. Your punches will be weak and slow and you won’t have the flexibility to throw high kicks.
You will need hours of training before you start kicking and punching correctly. However, after the first few weeks of training, your body will start getting used, meaning the training will start getting easier and more enjoyable.
Why is hard to learn kickboxing?
The main reason why kickboxing is hard to learn is that it incorporates many different kickboxing styles and moves that you need to learn.
Important moves that you will have to learn and master include uppercut, jab slip, back kick, front kick, and sweep.
Learning how to perform all these moves requires great flexibility and high concentration which may take months, sometimes years to master. Most pro kickboxers have admitted that it took them years to master kickboxing moves.
Another reason why kickboxing is hard to learn is that it requires high endurance and flexibility, which usually take time.
Last but not least, kickboxing is not just about learning how to throw kicks and punches. The most important thing is knowing when to throw the kicks and punches which requires a high concentration of good timing which takes time to learn and perfect.
How long does it take to learn kickboxing?
Generally, it takes between six months and one year to learn kickboxing depending on how much you train each week. Unlike other sports that are relatively easy to learn, kickboxing is quite difficult to learn, because it is a combat sport.
The first few days of training will be externally hard and painful. In fact, the first few months of training will mainly focus on enhancing your flexibility and endurance.
Once your body is flexible, learning how to punch and kick will be a lot easier. However, it will take years to master all kickboxing moves.
Can I teach myself kickboxing?
Yes and no. you can practice kickboxing at home by yourself through shadowboxing or the use of equipment such as punch bags.
However, the reason why we have said yes and no is because the best way to learn kickboxing moves is by training with others, especially those who are better than you.
In kickboxing, training with high-level people is the single most crucial part of learning, which is something you cannot do on your own.
However, you can learn kickboxing faster if you combine self-training and full-contact sparring.
Tips to learning kickboxing fast
1. Enhance your fitness
If you want to learn kickboxing fast, the first thing you need to do is to enhance your fitness. Kickboxing involves a lot of training and that can only be possible if you are in good shape.
This means that you should first focus on enhancing your fitness level before enrolling in kickboxing classes. This way, learning kickboxing will be much easier.
2. Set a target
Another very important thing to do when learning kickboxing is setting targets. Before you start kickboxing classes, you should write your goal down. You should have both short-term and long-term targets.
Your long-term target should be achieved within 3 months while long term target should be achieved between 1-2 years. Setting targets will help you stay focused.
However, ensure that set targets that are realistic and achievable. Unrealistic targets can lower your morale.
3. Practice kickboxing a lot
How often you practice will determine how fast you learn kickboxing. As said earlier, learning kickboxing is hard, meaning you need to do more to learn the tricks. If you want to become good at kickboxing, you should train at least 5 days a week.
You also need to train in a gym that offers training for fighters and a good instructor. Remember that too much of something is poisonous.
Overpracticing will do more harm than good to your body. Give yourself off days to allow your muscles to heal and work hard during practice days.
4. Train with others
Another crucial trick to learning kickboxing fast is training with other fighters, particularly those who are better than you.
Although it is possible to train on your own at home, some skills are difficult to learn if you train on your own. Training with those who are better than you will help learn crucial kickboxing skills quickly.
Conclusion
Kickboxing like any other sport can take time as a beginner but this will depend only on you whether you will train more and how intensely you will do that.
This will depend on what ambition and pleasure you have learning this mostly, but also the time you are willing to invest in training.
