There is something to be said for consulting an expert. If you’re sick, you go to a doctor. If you need legal advice, you speak to a lawyer and if you’re looking for a kickboxing program you go the professionals.
From ancient Roman wrestlers to modern day Martial Arts icons, combat athletes have been among the fittest people in history. Why? Because they had to be! Excess pounds slow you down; lack of flexibility means less combat options, and poor cardiovascular endurance almost always results in defeat. So whether your goal is to become the ‘fighting fit’ or to become the next UFC champion, a real kickboxing program that focuses on proper technique, footwork and positioning is paramount to your success.
Although the average person does not plan to ever set foot in a kickboxing ring, the value in the “pre-fight” conditioning regimen is incomparable. A kickboxing program is one of the best ways to develop lean musculature and excellent physical conditioning. But how exactly does good technique help improve your conditioning? It’s about synergy. When you throw a punch, you aren’t just using your arm and your hand. If you are shooting a punch properly, your entire body is engaged. Your shoulders, your core, your lower body, even your feet!
This example can be extended to almost all of the kicks and punches in our Kickboxing curriculum, forcing you to use your entire body. You may even discover some muscles you didn’t realize you had! Combine the kickboxing techniques with muscle conditioning and stretching in each class and you can expect to become leaner, stronger and more flexible.
When you choose Therien Kickboxing, you’re choosing the professionals. Our skilled instructors have all benefitted from years of training and experience as well as the guidance of 23-time World Kickboxing Champion Jean Yves Theriault.
Since the initial focus is on developing a solid foundation, your first class will always be a private lesson (you can also do this with a friend!) This is your opportunity to work one-on-one with an instructor so you can learn the fundamentals before you take a group class. The idea is that you become comfortable with the physical movements and the terminology so you’ll know what to expect when taking a class. If you are shopping around for the right Kickboxing program, be wary of places that don’t give you a run down before hand. Taking a class without proper knowledge of kickboxing technique will diminish your workout and may result in injury.
Because Kickboxing is a skill-based activity - meaning you will be constantly learning, developing and honing your skills - there is no limit to how far you can progress and how good you can get. The better you get, the faster you can shoot a punch, the harder you can hit a pad… ultimately leading to heightened physical conditioning. In comparison to something like running, where to add benefit you have to run longer or faster, kickboxing builds on the skills you have learned. This means you can continue to get a great workout as you learn more, and you do not have to commit hours upon hours to exercise.
The mental benefits of a great Kickboxing Program are often overlooked. Women’s Health published an article stating that activities such as Martial Arts and Kickboxing are the best types of workouts to stimulate and improve brain activity. Why? Because each requires you to move various different parts of your body in different directions, simultaneously. So the bonus to great total body workout is a total mental workout.
