Martial Fitness: Can You Learn Self-Defense Through Cardio-Kickboxing?

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In order to arrive at a definitive answer to the title question, I have devised two parts to this article. The first part is to identify who teaches cardio-kickboxing, and what expertise and training they possess. The second part is to analyze the typical style and setting in which these types of classes are taught. I have been in the fitness industry for over thirteen years now, during which time I have both instructed cardio-kickboxing classes, and taught and tutored other fitness professionals on how to teach them. It has been my experience that these types of classes usually take place mainly at health clubs, personal fitness gyms and recreation centers although I have recently noticed a few martial arts studios attempting to expand their market appeal by offering cardio-based kickboxing classes, too. For the most part, however, health clubs have led the way in duplicating and expanding upon the Billy Blanks Tae-Bo workout model.

Aerobic Instructors vs. Martial Artists:

Generally speaking there are two types of people that find their way to instructing cardio-kickboxing classes - aerobic instructors and martial artists. As you can imagine, there are distinct differences between an aerobic instructor who uses defensive movements (i.e. kicks and punches) to conduct a cardio-kickboxing class, and a martial artist who attempts to teach defensive movements in an aerobic format. The setting may be the same, the format might be the same, but the experience of the instructors and their rational application of defensive techniques vary greatly.

An aerobic instructor is someone whose expertise includes choreographing sequential movements of large muscle groups for the purpose of elevating a person’s heart rate for an extended period of time, thereby promoting cardiovascular fitness, muscular endurance and fat reduction. In comparison, a martial artist is someone who has expertise in performing defensive movements which are applicable to their art form (form, meaning: tae kwon do, hapkido, judo, wushu, etc.) and holds a superior grasp of self-protection. So who is more qualified to teach a cardio-kickboxing class in a health club setting? Neither, the strengths of one are the weaknesses of the other. Aerobic instructors understand the importance of creative steady rhythmic movements in which musical tracks with up-tempo beats are used to pace and coordinate multi-task routines. Yet they may not understand the defensive strategies for the moves they use in class. On the other hand, while martial artists are able to technically break down and define the intricate aspects of punching, kicking and blocking as well as give situational application to those movements, they often evoke an unenthusiastic response from class-goers, because their stringent insistence on adherence to their art form would best be suited to a dojo rather then a health club.

The differences between the way an aerobic instructor and a martial artist deliver their class instruction are correlated to their own instructional training. Many aerobic instructors in the fitness industry possess national certifications to qualify to teach cardio-kickboxing classes at different health clubs. Generally speaking, these certifications cover written material and instruction related to exercise injury and prevention, liability (which includes non-contact), aerobic formatting, basic kicks and punches, theatrical presentation, muscular and skeletal systems in use and the over-all outcome and benefits of improving physical health. The time it takes to complete this course-work varies depending on the certification, but it can be completed in as little as one weekend. Upon completing certification, an instructor will have a broad perspective on how to use kicks and punches to formulate aerobic routines, but not the knowledge of how to use these defensive techniques for self-defense.

In contrast a martial artist receives their training at a formal institution devoted to their particular style of martial art. Practitioners must regularly demonstrate their knowledge and physical skill corresponding to their rank. Promotion from rank to rank occurs when a student shows mastery of what is expected of him or her and is ready to move forward. On average, it takes about four years of almost daily training to achieve the level of black belt. Such training includes strength and endurance exercises, stretching, proper nutrition, mental focus, kicking and punching drills both with and without contact, sparring, forms and written examinations. Additionally, formal martial arts classes are taught with specific codes of behavior and rigid precision. There is no music playing in the background coupled with eight step counts to transition class participants into the next exercise. Social expression and laughter take place before and after class but never during. For these reasons a martial artist can find it a hard sale to teach in a health club setting where music and social interaction are very much a part of the club atmosphere.

The Solution?

Combine the best of both worlds. If you’re an aerobic instructor, train with a reputable martial artist, who can teach you the dynamics of defensive movements. This will help add authentic clarity to defensive techniques used in class, which might otherwise be ambiguous to an aerobic instructor, including modifying techniques for people of different skill levels, choosing techniques based on situational need, placement of kicks punches, timing and distance, and last but not least, how to “block.” The martial artist would benefit from this same union as well, by learning how to place the technical aspects of their art into an aerobic format suitable for a health club setting. Hardcore adherence to formalities associated with martial arts is of little to no importance to a person in a cardio-kickboxing class trying to lose weight and build muscular strength and endurance. This is not to say that a martial artist should not seek to preserve the integrity of their art, rather extend his or her understanding and knowledge in such a way as to reach people on a level at which they are willing to receive instruction. Learning how to conduct an up-tempo musically charged class with legitimate understanding of kicking and punching is a great way to market martial arts in a health club to participants who would not set foot in a dojo. The bottom line is if you’re an aerobic instructor, know the what, when, why and where of the techniques you’re using. Martial artists, lighten up. Learn how to shake butt and kick butt at the same time.

Conclusion

Now with that said, the answer to the title question above is “no.” The two biggest factors that do not permit participants to learn self-defense in a cardio-kickboxing class are time and liability. On average, group exercise classes in a health club last for approximately sixty minutes – five minutes on entering the studio and setting up, ten to fifteen minutes on warm-up, and another five to ten minutes on stretching, not to mention the time needed to explain and demonstrate the movements used during class. So, in reality, only about thirty minutes or less is left for actual on-task instruction. This is nowhere near enough time to practice defensive movements that could be used in a life or death situation. As my mother would say, “you know just enough to get yourself hurt.”

Finally, there is also the issue of liability. You can theorize all day long punching and kicking at the air or on heavy bags and mitts, but the experience is not the same as if you were to actually fight another person. As someone who has fought both on the streets and in the ring, trust me on this. Because of the physical risks associated with sparring most health clubs will not allow contact between the instructor and or other participants. The only way to learn how to fight is to fight. To do this well, however, requires constant and consistent practice – to the point that execution becomes as natural as breathing.