I attended my kickboxing class at my mma gym, it seems more of a workout than technique?

Question

I just attended my first kickboxing class at my mixed martial arts gym. It seemed as if it was more based getting a workout than technique. The instructor just told me to hit the bags and do situps and pushups and things like that. He really didn't give us much instruction on how to actually punch or kick. He told all of us random things like to keep our hands up and things like that but not really specific. The place I train at also offers jiu jitsu. Should I try out jiu jitsu and see if it's different? How do most kickboxing classes work in your mixed martial arts gyms?

oh yeah just to clarify my class isn't muay thai. It's American kickboxing

Answer 1

Bingo. That is because Kickboxing a sport that depends on athleticism more than technique.
Martial arts are about form and technique, not srtength and endurance.

Answer 2

You just came in on a bagwork day. Being your first day, you really can't say much about technique (or lack thereof) concerning kickboxing. There is plenty of technique taught (other wise injuries would be far more prevalent than they are). If you're in an mma gym, you're most likely learning muay thai, and there's alot more to it than just kicking bags and mitts. Think of where kickboxers would be if there were no technique, believe me...muay thai did not begin as a sport, and it is probably the most effective striking art out there.The proof is everywhere (internet, videos, competitions). Check the history of muay thai. Despite what one poster stated, it is very much a MARTIAL art in every sense of the word. Yes, it is VERY physically demanding, that's just the art. But don't let that fool you into thinking its all about who can take the most damage. No one would think that boxing is ineffective in self defense, and that should apply even moreso when it comes to muay thai. There's plenty of technique, the only thing is, you have to actually USE that technique. Unlike most other martial arts that have you doing techniques in mid air with no clue of whether or not they'll work.

Also, when you do jiu jitsu (bjj?), you'll also get a workout. It won't be as intense as muay thai (grappling vs striking, guess which one will focus more on technique), but you may even feel the same in your first day there too. Just take your time and learn what you can.

Answer 3

If your choices are really down to Kickboxing, Krav Maga, and MMA, it depends on what you want out of whatever you decide upon. Kickboxing and MMA are competitive sports martial arts. They are designed for competition first and foremost. Krav Maga, on the other hand, is not a martial art. It's a self defense system in which the sole purpose is, if needed for self defense, to inflict as much damage as possible in as short amount of time as possible to stop the attack. MMA and Krav Maga will provide more variety in activities than kickboxing. All three, if taught correctly and embraced properly, will provide a rigorous workout. If it's possible in your area, you may want to try out a few classes of each one so you can personally see which one you like the best. Most places will let you come in for at least one or two classes gratis.

Answer 4

you need to build up your ability.

there is much technique in how to deliver a powerfull roundhouse kick or to generate power in the clinch.

it is possible that it was a huge class or your instructor realized it was your first class and if you aren't going to stay, why focus so much on you when there are other dedicated students.

It could also be that it was bad training and he is a poor instructor.
Just becuase it is an MMA gym doesn't mean it is a good mma gym.

The whole sport/street thing is tired and discussed and basically goes like this:

TMAists will say "but your stuff is only a sport it doesn't work on the street, we train to kill on the street where things are different".

Sportative MAists or MMAists will say: "do the laws of physics change on the street? a punch is a punch and if you can perform it in the ring, you can perform it on the street, and you train harder and are in better fighting shape so you can perform better in the ring so you can do so on the street".

Answer 5

well my first thought it that training at an MMA gym is always going to be a work out i am no kickboxer but i think if you want to train to protect yourself kickboxing isnt going to help you.....but if you are just doing something just to be doing it then ok thats another thing....

if you want to learn technique as it seems like you do i would fing a martial art dojo and train there rather than at a MMA Gym...at a real dojo you learn technique and at the same time it is fun and it could save your llife someday :) hope that helps

Answer 6

Since its your first day I'd give it a couple more weeks to see where its going. He might be gauging you or he just plain sucks as an instructor. You might want to also talk to him, and address your concerns. Also you have places that say they are MMA, but actually just teach Tae Bo. I know of one place here locally that says they teach MMA, but its Tae Kwoon Do.