why do most females like kickboxing

[karate_woman]

Speaking as a woman myself, who as tried more than just kickboxing(as my name implies), I'd disagree that there are more women who like kickboxing than women who like other martial arts. If you roll in the cardio kickboxing, and tae bo, I may be wrong, but to me those classes are just another version of aerobics or "fitness class" (unless taught by an actual kickboxing instructor). I went to a tae bo type class and was disgusted at what they were teaching.

I'm not new to the martial arts, and have flirted with kickboxing for quite a while. My first experience with kickboxing was in a competitive kickboxing class (I was already a black belt in Goju Ryu Karate, and in good shape). I talked to the instructor, who invited me to that class. I thoroughly enjoyed the class, but we spent a good portion of the two hour class kicking each other in the legs - to condition them, I suppose. I was used to bruising from sparring, which usually started to go away in a few days, but this deep bruising covered both my legs, inside and out, and lasted over two weeks. In spite of that, I wanted to go back; my family disagreed. They won out because I was still training in karate anyway, so it wasn't crucial that I join another club at that time.

Anyway, 6 years later, I haven't trained in several months, and am looking for something to do, preferably a martial art, that will help me regain some of my conditioning, and learn some new things as well. I started at a local kickboxing club this week. I LOVE it! The only downside so far is there is no contact in the classes I'm in (I always loved sparring). I'm not ready yet for sparring anyway, as I'm still learning the techniques they do - they are different than the ones I learned in karate. The classes I'm taking are the technique classes, and not the cardio classes, so perhaps there will be contact eventually, or I may have to attend the "advanced" classes that are invitation only. I'm sure when and if I become ready for that type of class he'll let me know. For now, I'm happy to get a great workout in sparring techniques.

I read a few of the comments here before I posted, and I'm not sure if I'm abnormal or not, but I absolutely loved sparring and grappling with men - it was a great strengh builder for me - especially the grappling; grappling with a woman of about 120 lbs after grappling with a 200 lb man was great - I had a lot of strength to move them around.

Edited June 21, 2005 by karate_woman

[glockmeister]

As was hinted before, I think there'sa big difference as far as gender goes depending on whether its fitness kickboxing or full contact kickboxing. When I was pretty much just a full contact kickboxer, I could say that most were men, there were a few exceptions Like Leah Mellinger who turned pro kickboxer and then pro womens boxer later. I sparred with her a few times but for the most part, there were only like 3 other full contwact female fighters there. Most women dont like the idea of having both men adn women inthe ring with them kicking and punching them in the face.

As far as fitness kickboxing, I have noticed in my area, that its more female dominated. I don't disrespect fitness kickboxing though as if its done right, can be good as a supporting workout for thos who also take MA.

[karate_woman]

As far as fitness kickboxing, I have noticed in my area, that its more female dominated. I don't disrespect fitness kickboxing though as if its done right, can be good as a supporting workout for thos who also take MA.

I agree with that statement.

My main concern with classes taught by aerobics/fitness instructors that have no kickboxing background is while it will certainly be a good workout, repetively doing techniques incorrectly will ingrain them into your reflexes, not to mention doing them wrong can actually hurt you. A non kickboxer/non martial artist may be able to do the moves so they look sort of OK, but if their angle is off even slightly they could really hurt themselves or not be able to recognize incorrect techniques in others to prevent injuries.

Anyway, to each his/her own

[dtstiachi]

Do you think many females see it as a sport/marial art that is good for fitness and tone rather than combat?

[Sam]

It could be a combination - in general women are seens as being more concerned with fitness, and also now-a-days there is a large emphasis on self defense for women in general.

So what it may actually be is not that there are MORE women than men in kickboxing, or whatever MA, but that the number of women taking MAs in general is picking up a lot more - so we're seeing a lot more women training than lets say a decade ago - which makes you think there are more of them.... if you get what i mean?:

[Menjo]

I think its to do with the thinking. They maybe see kickboxing as a fitness and learning to fight and maybe some people would see it easier to learn kickboxing. I doubt theres a even small city that doesnt have a kickboxing place. And bringing back what some people said earlier theres alot of movies with famous female characters that take kickboxing.

[kickboxingman]

yeh it is the same at my class there quite a few women

[shogeri]

The theory is that the legs are the great equalizer.

Men (run of the mill - little or no training) typically use arm strength along with grabbing techniques.

So it stands to reason, in order to gain a following of women in a particular art, one basically notes that women need to strike to a few key points, using their palm or fingers, and follow up with a few choice kicks in order to gain control of the situation.

If need be, and the man is disoriented enough after a well placed kick or strike, then a takedown may be warranted.

In sum, the above is the standard strategy taught to the women I have met over the past 25 years of practice.

Another reason that Tae Bo, and Cardio Kick Boxing are so popular.

Allusion and Illusion.

Very little truth, and a false sense of security.

J Lo got lucky. Some of the principles were there, but quite frankly she did not spend enough time truly expanding upon them, or burning them into her memory.

What's more, her attitude was too cocky or arrogant. If the man really knew how to fight, she would have been a goner.

That's my two cents...

[elbows_and_knees]

I don't think leg strength has anything to do with it, personally. If you go up to a woman and ask her why she started kickboxing, she won't say "because my legs are strong and can be an equalizer to a man's arms" she will 9 times out of 10 say "to get in shape" - period. That is a major benefit that sport fighting styles have over traditional systems - the training involved. if you do bjj, wrestle, kickboxing, boxing, thai boxing, etc. you WILL get into shape if you are consistent with classes - it's inevidable.

That said, another reason is the fact that it is different. As I stated, the biggest reason is to get in shape. Sure, they can join a gym, lift weights, hit a bike or treadmill, etc. but that's mundane. They want something different. that's why things like tae bo, aeroboxing, yoga and pilates have had the explosion that they have had - they are not the ordinary, every day form of exercise.This is great as long as there is no illusion about what you are doing. any cardio kick place can get you in shape, but that will not teach you how to fight. You need a real gym for that.

I have recently been asked to teach both muay thai and tae bo style classes at my day job's gym - we recently conducted a survey to determine the interest level in such classes and not surprisiningly, more than 75% of the women were more interested in tae bo. What WAS surprising was that a little more than half of the men were interested in tae bo too...

[shogeri]

I was stating the marketing tactic or rationalization instructors use in addition to getting in shape, or learning to defend one's self. Those are a given.

The ability to use one's legs (and other appendages) dyamically in a fight, gives the smaller, less agile, or not as physically strong person an edge they might not have had otherwise.

Sure, they get in shape, that is how instructors draw some of them in. Then they try further their MA interest, but this usually doesn't work, since as you say, many just want the best trend in which to stay in shape and, 'burn off steam'...