Kick-Itt 2000
by Franny Benedetto

Each year it seems the fitness industry comes up with new and exciting ways for us to burn fat, increase muscle mass, feel good in body and mind, and most importantly, get fit.  Since Gin Miller invented the Step 10 years ago, I don’t think that any other form of exercise has created such excitement like kickboxing has.  Why kickboxing?  I really feel that this is a class that any “body” can do.  Yes, it’s challenging, both physically and cardiovascularly, yet the moves are repetitive, and for the most part, there is not a lot of choreography involved.  People tend to feel safe in a class like this.  They are getting a great workout, but they don’t need to be a dancer, or have any group exercise background to feel successful.  I believe that is the reason for its popularity.

Also, I don’t think there is a person alive who has not heard of Billy Blanks and Tae Bo.  We can thank the success of this video series for the influx of people coming into our classes asking for “Tae Bo like” classes.  This has been a great thing, but also a double-edged sword.  The people that we are seeing coming into our clubs range in age from 16 to 60+!  In my opinion, about ¾ of these people have never taken any type of group exercise class in their lives.  This is really where the challenge lies.  Also, this is where you need to really use your teaching skills and be a “teacher” rather than a “performer”.  The skills involved in a kickboxing class could potentially be dangerous if the teacher is not herself or himself skilled in the arts and also if she/he does not monitor the class and gear it to “all” levels.  The punches in a kickboxing class are pretty easy to learn.  The most difficult thing about kickboxing I feel is teaching people the correct way to pivot while throwing a cross or perhaps a sidekick.   This is where the injuries can occur.  Reebok University has developed a program called Reebok Martial Arts Training, which was developed by Reebok Master Trainers Petra Kolber and Karen Wellman Burnett.  It is a fabulous training, which teaches group exercise instructors how to “layer” their movements until they properly execute the punches and kicks involved in a kickboxing class format. 

I also feel it is really important for someone who does not have a martial arts background, but who is interested in becoming a kickboxing instructor, to find a “true” kickboxer and train one on one with them.  The knowledge you gain will be worth your time and money.  I personally trained with a kickboxing champion for a little over a year, once a week.  I learned so much and really felt comfortable in going out and teaching my “Kick-Itt” class.  I am not a true kickboxer, but I am a group exercise instructor who has been trained to execute the punches, and kicks in the safest, most effective way possible. 

Lastly, I think a huge reason that people are flocking to kickboxing classes is that they get a sense of “empowerment”.  It feels really good to punch and kick.  Even though we are hopefully not coming into contact with anyone, we feel strong, and that feeling of strength builds confidence.  If you’ve had a stressful day be it at home or work, you can really relieve some of that stress in class.  I love the look on my student’s faces when we are doing a kicking drill.  They take on a whole new look – you can see the intensity and the sense of power in their eyes.  I guess the most important reason that people are coming back day after day to kickboxing, is that they are seeing results in their bodies, and the icing on the cake is – it’s fun!

By Franny Benedetto
Reebok Master Trainer 

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