Cardio kickboxing is a popular form of exercise, but is it an effective form of self-defense?
While some may think cardio kickboxing is just a dance class with puffy gloves, I say it deserves a little more respect. Let me know if you agree!
You can watch the video below or scroll down for the transcript. Keep kicking!
Is Cardio Kickboxing a Waste of Time for Self-Defense?
Howdy! Ando again from Happy Life Martial Arts. Is cardio kickboxing a waste of time?
No! Not if you’re looking for a fun way to strengthen your heart and lungs while burning a few calories. But what if you’re also looking to build self-defense skills?
Ooh. Now, you’re going to hear some different opinions. Some martial artists will tell you that if you’re not sparring or rolling against partners who are fighting back, you’re wasting your time. In fact, I just made a video claiming that you’ll never be the best martial artist you can be without hard sparring.
Click here for more on Hard Sparring.
But is that the end of the discussion? No. Here’s why—
Even a little martial arts makes life a whole lot better.
Yes, even a little! And cardio kickboxing counts as a little martial arts.
Now, when I was younger, I admit—my attitude was “all or nothing.” Either sign up for a hard-hitting self-defense program or forget the whole thing and just pray nothing bad happens to you.
But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that something is better than nothing.
ANYTHING is better than nothing!
So, if cardio kickboxing can train you to stand tall and put your hands up if a bad guy starts trouble with you, then I say go for it. Let me give you an example…
My mother is over 70 years old. She’s never studied any martial arts whatsoever. If she calls me and says, “Hey, #1 Child—the gym down the street just started a water aerobics class and a cardio kickboxing class. Which one should I do?”
I’d say, “Well, can you swim? Yes? Then 100% take the cardio kickboxing class.”
Will that be a waste of time? Heck no. She’ll learn how to throw some punches and kicks, maybe add some elbows and knees, and develop basic footwork patterns.
Plus, most importantly, she’ll spend some time thinking about defending herself, even if it’s just against a faceless bag, which is definitely not a waste of time.
The fact is most people don’t think about self-defense at all. Which only makes them more vulnerable.
Now, I’m not saying a cardio kickboxing class practices the most realistic or effective self-defense techniques ever developed, but even a little time spent adopting the mindset of fighting back is a big step in the right direction. At least compared to water aerobics, shuffleboard, or sitting on the couch knitting.
Oops. Was that senior citizen stereotyping? Okay. It’s also a big step in the right direction compared to surfing, parkour, or rock climbing. Go mom!
Of course, some people might argue that cardio kickboxing builds a false sense of security. But let’s be fair—that can happen in any martial art. I’ve met some highly skilled and highly delusional people in every style I’ve ever studied.
Never forget—anybody can be killed. Which is why, no matter what you train or how long you’ve been training, if you can run from trouble, you should.
Besides, if you ask most people in a cardio kickboxing class if they’re a world champion kickboxer or an unstoppable street fighter, they’ll probably laugh and think you’re crazy for asking the question. They understand where they fall on the martial arts spectrum.
That’s the main point. There’s a wide spectrum available in the realm of martial arts training.
If you start on the rough end—bashing brains every class or slashing at each other with live blades—you might get hurt and never come back. But if you start off on the other end— practicing forms in the air, slow motion movements, or hitting pads instead of people—you might build the confidence to take another step on the path towards a more hands-on martial arts program.
So, if you’re thinking about joining a cardio kickboxing class, go for it. If you’re already in one, keep going and don’t let anyone make you feel like you’re wasting your time. You’re actually doing more than most.
Until next time, keep kicking, my friend, and keep fighting for a happy life.
