A Description of our Muay Thai and Cardio Muay Thai programs for Kickboxing and 5 Benefits for Women.
We have two types of Kickboxing programs at our school:
Muay Thai Kickboxing and Cardio Muay Thai Kickboxing.
Here is a brief description of the two programs and their differences:
Muay Thai Kickboxing:
Our traditional Muay Thai Kickboxing program develops the main benefits of Self Defense, Fitness, Mental Discipline and Sport. Our Muay Thai Kickboxing program utilizes techniques and principles from the Thai tradition, Dutch Kickboxing methods, Japanese methods and principles, and concepts and techniques from Western Boxing. Our style, which has been taught by Simon Posener, who has been training for almost 35 years and teaching full time for 25 years, is constantly evolving and improving, as that is our original goal. The desire to grow, evolve and improve is constant. The instructors are experienced, personable, knowledgeable and have a passion for teaching the art and improving teaching methods and techniques. We have a long history of producing excellent mixed martial artists and champions of Muay Thai Kickboxing and Pankration / MMA.
One of the main differences between the Muay Thai Kickboxing Vancouver program and the Cardio Muay Thai Kickboxing program is the application of progressive levels of contact sparring, which occurs in the traditional class. Stylistically, the classes are similar. The traditional Muay Thai class is Fitness and Combat intensive. The Cardio Muay Thai Kickboxing class is more Fitness and technique intensive and less sparring intensive.
In the Traditional class once a student learns the A,B,C’s of defense, which are the basic defenses from the main strikes used in Muay Thai, which are very important for developing confidence, the basic footwork patterns, and the execution of the basic strikes and clinches, a student will learn progressive levels of contact sparring. Sparring is a requirement for progress in the system. At the beginning levels the sparring is light to medium contact and at the advanced levels a student will participate in full contact, full Muay Thai sparring. Individual differences are considered in the timing and onset of sparring. Progress is also based on the individual, as everyone is unique in their goals and challenges, and they are compared to their own progress. Once a student is comfortable with the basics and has a desire to spar, with instructor approval, a graduated method will be started. The benefits of sparring are many. A student will learn to handle pressure of various types, develop physical and mental discipline, and get a great workout. The pressure from contact sparring is also very important in application of self defense techniques, which are also a part of the curriculum. Self defense applications are taught within the classes and other classes within the school. Also, the Muay Thai sparring will benefit the competitive aspect of Muay Thai Kickboxing, Western Kickboxing, Shootboxing, Sanshou and Pankration/MMA.
Our goal in the training is to develop the technique and spirit of the art to the highest level, build camaraderie, and develop a student’s full, balanced, personal potential.
We are offering a free week trial at the school, so you can try us out and see how we can benefit you and help you achieve your goals, or simply enroll today.
Cardio Muay Thai Kickboxing
The Cardio Muay Thai Kickboxing Vancouver program develops the main benefits of Self Defense, Fitness and Mental Discipline. This program is stylistically the same as the traditional Muay Thai Kickboxing class but does not have the goal of hard contact sparring or direct Sport application. However, many of the competitors and students who participate in the traditional Muay Thai Kickboxing program also participate in the Cardio Muay Thai Kickboxing class because it is an excellent workout and will, without question, improve fitness levels and will provide an opportunity for further skill development. The classes are less formal, done to music, and do not have the pressure of full contact sparring. It is a focused class with the goal of developing skills and peak fitness levels. Advancement in the program is based on a progressive 10 level system. Students advance in the curriculum based on attendance, which is the most important aspect especially within the beginning levels, skill development, and personal fitness level improvements. The advancement of the student is based on their own progress, as everyone has unique challenges and goals.
There are many goals which can be obtained in the Cardio Kickboxing Vancouver classes. We emphasize an effective workout utilizing Muay Thai Kickboxing techniques to get the student in the best shape they can. We also provide free nutritional counselling, upon request, and provide diet tips to teach the relationship of a healthy lifestyle and diet on mental and physical fitness levels. As we work together in the class in a spirit of growth and progress, the goal is to make progress on many levels, get results, have fun and make friends.
We are offering a free week trial at the school, so you can try us out and see how we can benefit you and help you achieve your goals, or simply enroll today.
5 Amazing Kickboxing benefits for women for Kickboxing
by Melissa Greer
1. MELT FAT, FAST
Combining martial arts techniques and heart-pumping cardio, kickboxing is a high-energy workout that is guaranteed to burn calories and fat.
“It’s an incredibly efficient workout. Kickboxing alone burns about 750 calories in an hour,” says Sammie Kennedy, CEO and creator of Femme Fitale, Ontario’s newest women’s-only kickboxing and mixed martial arts program (MMA). “Add in jump rope and conditioning drills, and you could burn anywhere from 750 to 900 calories in an hour.”
The cardio-conditioning element of kickboxing is one of the most effective ways to burn fat—especially that stubborn belly fat that’s associated with an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer. A study published in the American Journal of Physiology foundaerobic exercise to be better at reducing belly fat than resistance training, by burning an average of 67 percent more calories.
2. TONE YOUR ENTIRE BODY
A typical Femme Fitale class combines kickboxing and MMA drills with jump rope, circuit training and core strengthening exercises.
“There’s a large toning component to kickboxing because it forces you to engage all the muscle groups in your body,” says Kennedy.
By using kickboxing pads, as opposed to simply air boxing, you’ll burn even more calories. “You’ll also work your back and trim your waist because each move requires a lot of core power behind it,” she says.
Engaging your core will also ultimately improve co-ordination, while the constant movement in kickboxing improves flexibility and reflexes.
3. LEARN VALUABLE SELF-DEFENSE MOVES
While the majority of women are turning to kickboxing for the physical workout, the self-defense aspect is a perk for many people, says Kennedy. “We teach it with an emphasis on ‘this is why you’re learning this,’ ‘this is what you would use this for.’ It’s important for people to know why they’re doing certain moves and engaging certain parts of their body,” she says.
Having the ability to protect yourself is a valuable asset and it’s empowering to know that if you were in a dangerous situation, you have the knowledge to help get yourself out of it safely.
4. TAKE OUT STRESS AND AGGRESSION
Sometimes the best way to release stress after a hard day at work is not a cold beer, but some intense physical activity. Kickboxing offers a healthy way to get out some of the day’s frustrations out of your system, which will also help you get a better night’s sleep and improve mental clarity.
“It’s an excellent release to be able to beat up your boss on the pads,” says Kennedy. “Boxing also increases the release of endorphins, which can diminish with stress.”
The group atmosphere of kickboxing is even more effective in releasing endorphins. While any type of vigorous activity will release these feel-good chemicals, group exercise enhances their impact, according to researchers from the Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology in Oxford, England.
5. FEEL SEXY AND CONFIDENT
There’s nothing sexier than being able to kick some butt, and look great doing it. The intensity of kickboxing means you’ll see improvements and results quickly. Femme Fitale’s sessions run for eight-weeks with twice weekly classes.
“When you’re putting yourself through a program that does really challenge you and you finish it—that alone boosts confidence dramatically because you’ve accomplished something and that’s something to be proud of,” says Kennedy.
