Kickboxers and martial artists!
 

Hello there!

I thought I'd start a thread for everyone out there who's into martial arts.

Personally I am training for my Red belt in Kickboxing, well actually it's "freestyle" but I think that's just so the instructors can change anything they want to. I'm on the fast-track black belt option, so I can take gradings as often as I am ready for them, without having to wait for a scheduled grading.

I train 5 hours a week. I'd like to do more, but I've signed up for some runs and I try and fit in some weights and I feel a bit guilty if I don't do weights and running as well :crazy:

I thought I'd start a thread because I'm interested in matching my nutrition to my workouts, like eating optimum carbs for maximum performance. I've just bought a book on amazon about nutrition for martial arts.

So any others out there who want to join me to jabber on about how much of a PITA back kicks are and how I can't get my right toes to point down while I'm doing a side kick, but how my left toes are great? Then post here and we'll see how it goes ;)

Oh and we need a kickboxing smilie Ms Smilie Producer.... ;)

Hey! Great idea for a thread. I joined Taekwondo after watching my son have a last from the sidelines for four months. I love it! I love to kick stuff and it is never boring. I take the TKD classes and also kick cardio. I have to admit I get dizzy on the back kicks...but they are still fun. And it is amazing how just bouncing on your toes for a couple of minutes can work out your calves. I run twice a week too...I need to make it 4 times and add weights.

Oh back kicks are just a pain! :rofl:

I think one of our instructors is a black belt in TKD. You can check out our webby www.shentie-martialarts.com I designed it! Someone has to keep those guys in line!

I used to do Body Combat before I got into kickboxing for real and it really revved me up. Now when I go to body combat classes with my mates the instructor says, "Your kickboxing really shows!" Which is nice, and I can do stuff about 10 times as fast as everyone else in the class! :lol:

How long have you been @ TKD?

He he, I never noticed the effect on my calves, they are like rocks anyway! :rofl:

Hi I started Boxing last week I loved it. And I am going tonight. I will be starting a kickboxing class thursday. I use to do it before I had kids not 4 years later is kicking my butt But I am up for the challange

I started Iaido last year, but haven't been in quite a long time... I was having some problems not only with time (to go to class) but the hardwood floors and all the kneeling. :-P Not to mention most of the moves start from seiza (Japanese kneeling) and are like 1.5 hours of lunges! I hope to go back after I dump some of the weight and can keep up.

http://www.doshikai.org/ I'm just behind the instructor in the group picture.

--Janis

Cool, Nikki, I'd like to try just boxing, but we do do a lot of that, and it's probably just the same as what we do, but without kicking people! :lol:

Janis, I'd rather try Kendo - you get BIG STICKS! :D Pretty picture.

I was at training last night and managed to nail some back kicks. Yay! I also tried some travelling side kicks, which were ace! And I just pushed myself quite a bit and almost got down into side splits, which was good because it means that my groin pull has straightened itself out. :D

What kind of supplementary training do you guys do (if any)? I'm trying to fit in weights and running (I am signed up for races in the spring/summer) and I ended up overtraining the past couple of weeks. After a whole week off, I feel much better though and I'm replanning my exercise routine to ensure that I don't overtrain again.

OUCH pulled Groin :o I had my boxing class last night freaking awesome intructor asked if I was angry at someone when I was hitting the bag...LOL He kept yelling yeah thats what I am talking about :D . I am going to try my first kickboxing class on thursday very happy about that.

I am hoping to try running as soon as I drop more of my weight. My knees does sometimes bother me but I am thinking becuase of the extra weight I have gotten since after the kids. I do some weights not much more cardio.

My instructor told me of a class they have on sundays that combines Martial Arts and Boxing togther. That I should go I was like "what" when he said its none stop for 2 hours ...lol I might try it once in a couple of weeks.

Oh two hours! It kills you! I do a double class on Thursdays which is "advanced" (read: Big boys beating the crap outta me!) and then an hour of "ladies only" which is a lot slower! I used to shy away from the ladies class because if ANYTHING was ladies only I wasn't having anything to do with it, because I'm no girly girl! But now I love it, and it's more like a cool down than anything! :rofl:

I know what you mean when I was practicing with a girl I was more gentle because she couldn't take my hard punches but when I was practincg with the instuctor I went crazy...LOL I didn't have to take it easy on him he wanted more. aagghhh girly girls. My sister joined to and brought 2 of her friends 1 whines so much I want to punch her..LOL

2 hours does sound like a great work out but I might have to have someone peel me off the floor and carry me to my car...LOL

I can't join thread yet, but I just wanted to say that the idea of taking martial arts is one of the things that is making my excited to get fit. I am thinking Kendo or Kali, although I'm not sure and will have to see what is available in my area.

What weight do you think I will need to be at to start? 250 maybe? Or less?

I think you could start at any weight. It really boosts your weight loss efforts. If you find a supportive club that will help you out and let you go at your own pace there is no reason why you can't join straight away. Some clubs (I'm thinking specifically Karate here) can get a kick out of bullying people to push themselves past the limit of their endurance. Fine if that's what you want, but if you want something a little less hardcore I'd sit in on a class first! Also talk to the instructors and tell them that you want to start off easy, you will be surprised at what you can do already, and when you start seeing improvements there will be no stopping you!

When I started kickboxing, I lost 21lbs in about 3 months. And that was only going once or twice a week!

I agree with superwoman...LOL You can start at any weight the insturctors are always willing to help. My 1st week of boxing I lost 5 lbs and I didn't even thought I worked that hard. I say as soon as you know you are ready got for it why wait.

Thanks for the encouragement. I started really getting active only since January, so I want to give myself a bit more time to build some general strength (I am currently working out at a gym and with a personal trainer). But it is definitely good to know I don't have to wait was long as I thought to start. I do want to be careful not to go somewhere where they will push me past my endurance point too soon. Thanks for that tip.

I've been doing "cardio kickboxing" at our YMCA since November 1 and I love it! It's a combo of TaeBo and extreme Pilates. Right now I am nursing a twisted ankle though (OUCH!) so I can't do the kickboxing part for a couple weeks, but I've been doing the floor work. I can't wait to get back in it. :)

Oh yeah cardio kick is good, like Body Combat. I like "extreme Pilates" That sounds... strange! ;)

Perhaps in a few months you might get hungry to punch someone for real? I'm reading a female boxing book and she started off shadow boxing in an aerobics class, and that gave her the hunger to try more boxing. She ended up turning pro (which was probably quite easy in the 90s since you just had to be willing!!).

I am telling you My when I had my first boxing class I was hooked I think I am going to take up more classes a week I love it makes me feel great. I didn't think I was going to like it.

Nancy, One of the reasons I was inspired to join Taekwondo was that there were many women of different sizes and ages already involved...and they were having a blast. My club is very family friendly and that was important to me. No one expects me to be a brilliant athlete...but now that I am doing it, I feel kinda like an athlete....shhhh....don't tell anyone! Age and size don't matter...simply a willingness to do your best and work hard. One of the ladies has lost 60 pounds simply from increasing her activity level with TKD. I know I am already stronger and more flexible...and I have more endurance too.

Hi,

I just started Shaolin Kung-Fu a few weeks ago. It's just amazing how quickly my balance and flexibility have returned! I enjoy it so much, I go anytime I have someone to watch the kids (2-3 times/week). Although somehow I have managed to gain 8.5lbs! The other guy in the class who started at about the same time gained 10. I don't know what a back kick is, but I am having a hard enough time with round snap kicks and what not.. and all the squatting!

Hi sleepy me!

I think the gain might be water retention in your muscles, when you suddenly start exercising you puff up a bit, because your muscles are trying to repair themselves and they need that fluid and nutrients to help. I wouldn't worry about it, your shape will change dramatically, so don't worry too much about the scales!

I took a double class last night and my muscles have popped out to say hello again! After a week off they were looking VERY saggy! :lol: I did the plank for a whole minute, which is a first (I think) for me, and I held the side plank the longest in the ladies class. We were pretty much conditioning last night, although we did do some strange kicks too, and I got to practice my stuff for my next grading. I seem to have improved without practicing... I love it when that happens! :lol:

I've had my private lesson cancelled (the instructor's wife's just had a baby), so I am FREEEEEEEEEEE on Saturday. I can't think what to do... I might go for a run!

I'm letting you all in on a little-known secret!

I get bruised CONSTANTLY at kickboxing, and at any other time come to think of it, I'm clumsy and I bruise easily! Anyway, I read that drinking pineapple juice every day helps bruises go away quickly. I smacked my arm yesterday on something and it went all pale blue, like it was going to come up in some nice interesting colours. This morning it's pale yellow/brown like it will fade soon. So no more bruise for me!

I'm quite dissapointed - I missed all the pretty colours, but at least I won't look like I've gone a few rounds with tyson!

Ouch
 

Well Girls my 1st kickboxing class last night OUCH is all I can say. If I have to kick that bag one more time put a pillow under my because I am about to fall.
I am a little swore not as much is I thought I would be but probably because I do Boxing. But wow intense LOVED IT but intense.


BUT on a good Note TGIF...LOL

LOL about the bruising. We do an exercise called "wooden man blocking" where basically you do all your blocks at once. When you don't have a partner, you use the metal pole. I did this so much last night that my forearms were bright red. Sifu has stuff he uses for bruises, which is some powder mixed with jack daniels, and it reeks, but everyone swears it works. I passed on the offer, but I didn't bruise. They also have these instruments, they look like wire whisks, but have thicker and more rods. Anyways, they use this to "condition" the forearms and shins. I'm scared of when I'll have to start using those.

It must be water. I'm not fatter, I swear I'm not. How do I deflate? Oooh, my glutes hurt. :)

That whisk sounds odd... :lol:

You'll deflate when your body's good and ready! When it gets used to the exercise it'll be all ok!

I had a day off training today because of instructor's baby! I might squeeze in some weights, so I can get back in the swing of things. Then I'm going to have a nice nap with Wallace and Gromit and perhaps David Attenborough, if I can be bothered to watch more ants! :lol:

I am SORE today, in my gluts! Yesterday I did an hour of kick cardio/pilates and then an hour of TKD. Whoooo. I also did 45 minutes on the elliptical today, the glut trainer emphasis. It will be interesting to see if I can walk tomorrow!

The plank is hard! I haven't figured out which muscles it uses yet, cause it is just hard. My wrists hurt the most the few seconds I have done it.

Have you tried the plank resting on your forearms? You clasp your hands together and make a kind of triangle with your forearms - elbows under shoulders and hands together. Then it just hurts your abs! :D

:wave: Hello!

I was teaching littlies their grading things last night. I've just realised I think I taught them wrong! Wupps! They won't remember! One has ADD and the other one is about 4! Ah I'll tell 'em it right next week.

Got training tonight - I'm super-hydrating. I'm on my 5th pint of water so far! :lol: It might help with my kickboxing hangover!

Its offical
 

:carrot: I finally got my Membership Card for Assembly of the Fighting Arts.
Can't figure why I am so happy about that...LOL I have Boxing tonight. If
I make is It is like 100 degreed in this office :mad: I am sweating everywhere.

Wooo! You're all insured and things now then? You are a proper martial artist now :yes:

I want to try proper boxing too. That's next on my list after my 2nd dan black belt! :rofl: I'm only orange/red at the moment, so it will take a while!

2nd dan black belt huh YOU GO GIRL. Is it Friday Yet I have kickboxing tonight so not wanting to go TOM is in the building but I guess I will suck it up pop some pills and go...LOL And if I get pains I will just ake it out on somebody

I've got my Red Belt test tomorrow. I've still got a long way to go to 2nd dan black! :rofl: Funny thing, my instructor last night asked when I wanted to do my grading, so I said tomorrow. Then I have no time to stress out about it, and no time to practise! :lol:

I have enough crap to deal with today so I think I'll go home and go to bed.

Awesome let me know how the test went. So what do you do at these tests?
New to all this stuff

Generally you just perform some techniques. I think yellow belt is something like, front kick, side kick, roundhouse kick, halfstep forefist strike, halfstep forefist strike with reverse punch. Then you do some defensive techniques which includes being "attacked" and you avoiding the punch and retaliating with a punch, or 2 or a kick.

Oh and the pain in the *** this time is that they've taken back kicks out of the orange belt grading that I did last time, and put them into green belt - which I do after red. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I thought I'd got away! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Back kicks! AAAAAAAARGH! :tantrum:

front kick, side kick, roundhouse kick our insturctor was teaching us those last night. and something called axe kick I think thats was he called it. But what killed me he had us partner up with someone I have to sit on the floor open my legs and the other person would put their feet inside and stretch us even more open OOUUUCCCHHHH then pull us forward OOOOUUUUCCCHHH again. What the **** is that for :D Except for spreading me open It was fun...LOL

mmm. no back kick yet but sounds like I don't want to know :)

Oooh axe kick is NICE! If you can do it without ducking your body down, that's great! I usually feel like I have to put some effort in to get there!

Have you had a nice stretch where you stand against a wall and you get your leg lifted straight up? They try to get mine on the wall behind me. It's fun if my sciatica isn't playing up!

The groin stretch is majorly good for you, it'll help you kick loads higher (specially high roundhouse and side kicks). I can almost do box splits, but then I pulled my groin a fair few weeks ago and now it comes and goes how far down I can get! Some days I've only got 8 inches to go, others I can't get past putting my elbows on the floor! Ah well, I must listen to that nagging injury, don't want to bust it completely!

Oh and back kick is basically a half turn and a side kick. Some people can do it really well, some people can't. Hmm. I now have a nice mental block over it because I've been told how crap they are so many times! :doh: Then last night after he'd told me they'd be in my next belt, then he asked me to demonstrate and I really REALLY screwed them up! :tape: They're about passable now, but I'm just pissed that I have to get graded on them AGAIN! Gah!

MMM. Leg lifted straight up trying to touch the wall :dizzy: ARE YOU NUTS....LOL I guess something to look forward to ;)


I am really starting to enjoy Kickboxing maybe because they are finally getting to the good stuff.

Back Kick well at least they are passable:) if you start working at them again you do great.

Maybe one day I can do a box split that would be cool

I passed my belt test! Woooohoooooo! :dancer:

Off to green belt next!

Got my green belt sheet yesterday! It's sooooo easy! Now watch me go mess it up! :lol:

I've got till the end of May to practise it all and get it spot on, then I might do so well I can skip a belt! :D

Wow
 

WOW you are on a roll YOU GO GIRL. I had boxing last night love it. Next month I am going to add another day of it. The instructor told me I was doing great and I should take more classes Can you picture it me beating up people and liking it...LOL

yeah boxing is very addictive :yes:

Have you read "The Boxer's Heart"? by Kate Secules, it's quite good. I read another female boxing book, but I can't remember who it's by or what it's called!