Kickboxing Origins
Kickboxing originated as a mix between karate and boxing. Technically, it’s a type of mixed martial arts (MMA), but it’s a great sport to get into for both kids and grown-ups alike. Compared to many other martial arts, kickboxing is relatively new – the first tournament for the sport was only held in 1974 in LA.
How Does Kickboxing Work the Body?
Because kickboxing uses a lot of lower body strength and teaches punching techniques, it’s a very physical and active sport. Kickboxing classes for kids can impart a variety of defense and exercise skills, making it beneficial for a variety of reasons.
6 Benefits of Kickboxing Classes for Kids
Still on the fence about signing your children up for kickboxing classes? Check out these major benefits that kickboxing can offer your child.
1. Self-Defense Skills
For starters, kids learn valuable self-defense skills when they practice kickboxing. Kickboxing is especially potent for kids, as their legs often have more power than their arms and can help them defend themselves, even from larger kids or some adults. Self-defense is crucially important for younger kids and teenagers alike, whether they need to defend themselves against physical bullies or other potential threats. We teach elbow strikes, leg strikes, and other movements from muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and other martial arts in a fun and child-friendly environment.
2. Learn Self-Confidence
Perhaps more importantly, kickboxing and other classes help nurture self-confidence and self-discipline in trainees. As our students improve their physical abilities and see themselves become more physically capable, they gain the confidence they need to hold their heads high and face future challenges with vigor and determination.
3. Learn Self-Discipline
Beyond that, we emphasize the importance of self-discipline, mental focus, and control in each of our classes. Training is not enough – our trainees also know how to use the skills we teach appropriately and in the right contexts. The benefits of improved discipline manifest in many ways for children, including an improved ability to pay attention, greater mental endurance, and more.
4. Physical Fitness from Kickboxing Skills
Naturally, kickboxing and other classes at PANTHER are great ways for your kids to become fit and stay fit, from their first class to the end. Physical fitness is difficult to maintain in this day and age, with so many electronic devices available for kids and so much time spent sitting around at school. Knowledge of proper nutrition is also at an all-time low among youth. But kickboxing classes for kids at PANTHER are a great way to make sure your child gets up and moves around at least once each day.
5. Opportunities to Socialize with Martial Arts
Our youth kickboxing class is filled with fellow trainees who want to learn in a safe, shared environment. Each of our classes is a great opportunity to socialize, even for kids who tend to be shy or who may have difficulty making friends elsewhere.
6. Learn Respect for Self & Others
Lastly, kickboxing classes for kids at PANTHER teach our trainees how to respect themselves and other people. Self-respect is vital for fostering self-confidence, and we teach respect to other individuals by having trainees help one another with their forms and movements. We stop bullying at its source with kickboxing classes for youth.
What Kinds of Kickboxing Classes for Kids Do We Offer?
At PANTHER, we offer youth kickboxing and other classes in both group classes or private lessons. Specifically, we try to emphasize kickboxing forms that will help your child defend themselves against bullies or others. To do this, our Black Belt instructors draw from a variety of kickboxing training techniques and styles for this program, as well as other schools such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, wrestling, and more.
Types of Kickboxing Training
Generally, kickboxing programs draw their movements and principles from two different types of kickboxing, which are also the types of kickboxing allowed in professional competitions.
American Kickboxing
The American kickboxing form is based on karate. Also called full-contact kickboxing, this style of martial arts is very beneficial to know for self-defense purposes.However, our youth classes don’t involve sparring with other trainees. Instead, trainees at PANTHER kickboxing classes will focus on training with a variety of dummies or other implements to avoid the likelihood of injury.
Japanese/Muay Thai Kickboxing
The other main type of kickboxing is Japanese or Muay Thai boxing. As its name suggests, Muay Thai kickboxing came from Thailand and gradually spread to Japan.
Are There Differences Between Kickboxing Types?
There aren't very many major differences between the two styles, although Muay Thai uses a different scoring system and is not always full-contact. Muay Thai is an excellent MMA style for students to learn given its applicability to real-life situations. It's focused on stand-up striking compared to other MMA or mixed martial arts sports, making it versatile compared to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, for example. At PANTHER's youth kickboxing program, trainees are taught agility movements, attacks, defenses, and stances from both traditions.
Kickboxing Styles
Alongside Muay Thai and American kickboxing, PANTHER’s kickboxing and MMA classes for youth instruct for a variety of kickboxing styles.
Semi-Contact Kickboxing
This includes lots of personal protection routines and elbow strikes from MMA traditions.
Light Contact Kickboxing
With this style, older trainees are taught to spar carefully with instructors while wearing appropriate safety gear.
Cardio Kickboxing
This is excellent for focusing on technique, getting energy out, and boosting fitness and coordination. Most of our youth kickboxing classes involve cardio to help trainees express themselves, build self-confidence, and practice kickboxing to a set tempo. Because kickboxing is a mixed martial art, our youth program includes a commitment to teach versatile skills from Judo, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and other forms of defense as well.
In-House Gym Access
If you wish to observe lessons, you can visit our in-facility gym and complete a workout. We have a standing commitment to honor the request of each customer or your money back. Alternatively, you can try a program yourself. Maybe you've always wanted to learn MMA or self-defense instead of other sports. Now could be your chance.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Please reach us at shawn.gwen.panther@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Contact PANTHER Today
Want to know more about our youth kickboxing program or sign up for an appointment? Contact us today and ask about a free class