Kickboxing Update! LOVED IT!
Monday, December 21, 2009
I know a lot of you were eagerly awaiting my kickboxing class update! I got a bit crazed Thursday & I decided to post my "experience" today. First, A HUGE THANK YOU TO DIANE FROM FIT TO THE FINISH! She made this all possible for me by sending the LA Boxing media person my way!
If you look closely at the picture here, you can see the red marks on my shin. Can you see the two marks among all those freckles? I took this pic the Friday morn after my Thursday class. I am glad I took it in the morn because by late that day, the marks were fading. YAHOO! Now, saying that, since this was my first class AND I was feeling the shins right away, I did start to kick less hard as the class went on so I did not totally take myself out! I am not going to miss my normal workouts!!!! In fact, I had done my regular Thursday gym workout in the early morn the same day I did this class.. I know, CRAZY!
I got to LA Boxing early so I could get some technique tips from the class instructor, Jessica. When I showed up, I got to meet one of the gym owners. He had just finished working out & was drenched. A good workout!
Jessica showed up & wrapped my hands again. I have to learn to do that myself! You wrap your hands before putting on the boxing gloves to protect your wrists & knuckles. We went thru some kicking techniques & some of the combinations she uses in class. Another "out of my comfort zone" in terms of the stance, movement & MOSTLY how to stay loose! I tend to tense up & be all ready to power thru due to my weight training. YA GOT TO LEARN TO BE "LOOSE". I am working on it & practicing it!
The class starts out with a warm-up. GOOD, cause I don't want to be kicking cold.. my 52 year old hamstring might pop!
We went outside as they are in a center that allows room to do this outside. We did jumping jacks, walking lunges, sprints & even some jump/hop moves. My gym workouts helped me big time here. I actually did better than most of the class with this stuff! Well, I only have been at it for "how many years"! I should be able to do this stuff in my sleep!
After this, we went inside & were told to grab a pair of either 1 or 2 pound dumbbells. I grabbed the 2 pounders. Again, more warm-up with side shuffling around the perimeter of all the boxing bags, changing directions when she told us to & also stops to do push-ups or burpees or jump squats and more! A good warm-up! I suppose if you have joint issues or such, you may want to modify the plyometrics.
We moved on to the kickboxing after this. Got our gloves on & away we went! Jessica called out combinations of moves to do interspersed with push-ups & more again! We also had a drill with 3 people to a bag & 2 had to squat & hold the bad while the third person did the drill. It was cool!
At the end of the class, we all got in the boxing ring for some core work & we were all making an imprint on the mat with our body sweat!!!! A really good workout! After class, I decided I needed more time on that speed bag. You can see a speed bag by clicking the previous link. It is the small bag in the pic. Not the big punching bag. It was calling my name again & I was getting better at it after a few minutes. It is addicting!!! Really! I like that speed bag and I really liked the kickboxing & looking forward to more of it!
I hope to get some pics of me doing this before my trial period ends... OMG, me without make-up AND sweaty .. not pretty!!!!
So, being the person I am, I asked how I did. I got the thumbs up! Well, what is the instructor going to say! But, the front desk lady chimed in quickly & gave me a really big thumbs up!!! I think she meant it too. Sometimes it is just the way a person says something that you feel they are not just placating you & I think she meant it. I hope she did cause I felt like a dork at times! AT 52, this was my first attempt ever at this type of workout!
So, for those scared of moving out of their comfort zone... I say DO IT! I am not a class person but I liked this. It was a small class so that was good for me. Plus you are so focused on what you are doing & the punches & kicks that there is not time to even being looking around to compare yourself to others. Hey, we all know people do that in classes!!!! If you try to look around, you are not going to hit or kick the bag like you are supposed to!
How about getting out of your comfort zone... will you??? You may gain a whole newfound respect for yourself! I am very proud of myself for trying this at 52. I was scared shi*tless beforehand but so glad I tried. Diane, again thank you again for passing this on to me!!!!
PS: As of Sunday morn, no more marks on the shins BUT they are still "tender" to the touch AND my shoulders are still tender but not as bad as Friday or yesterday! Actually they are feeling pretty decent just in time for my early Monday workout! My shoulder workouts don't even do this & I work my shoulders pretty hard with weights! I love the feeling of being worked but I know it was not too much. Looking forward to more!
PPS: GoDaddy, my blog host, has not been sending out notifications of my blog entries the past two days. I have not received them either nor notification of the comments you all make so I apologize for that! I am going to see if I can get some answers to this today!
I know a lot of you were eagerly awaiting my kickboxing class update! I got a bit crazed Thursday & I decided to post my "experience" today. First, A HUGE THANK YOU TO DIANE FROM FIT TO THE FINISH! She made this all possible for me by sending the LA Boxing media person my way! If you look closely at the picture here, you can see the red marks on my shin. Can you see the two marks among all those freckles? I took this pic the Friday morn after my Thursday class. I am glad I took it in the morn because by late that day, the marks were fading. YAHOO! Now, saying that, since this was my first class AND I was feeling the shins right away, I did start to kick less hard as the class went on so I did not totally take myself out! I am not going to miss my normal workouts!!!! In fact, I had done my regular Thursday gym workout in the early morn the same day I did this class.. I know, CRAZY!
I got to LA Boxing early so I could get some technique tips from the class instructor, Jessica. When I showed up, I got to meet one of the gym owners. He had just finished working out & was drenched. A good workout!
Jessica showed up & wrapped my hands again. I have to learn to do that myself! You wrap your hands before putting on the boxing gloves to protect your wrists & knuckles. We went thru some kicking techniques & some of the combinations she uses in class. Another "out of my comfort zone" in terms of the stance, movement & MOSTLY how to stay loose! I tend to tense up & be all ready to power thru due to my weight training. YA GOT TO LEARN TO BE "LOOSE". I am working on it & practicing it!
The class starts out with a warm-up. GOOD, cause I don't want to be kicking cold.. my 52 year old hamstring might pop!
We went outside as they are in a center that allows room to do this outside. We did jumping jacks, walking lunges, sprints & even some jump/hop moves. My gym workouts helped me big time here. I actually did better than most of the class with this stuff! Well, I only have been at it for "how many years"! I should be able to do this stuff in my sleep!After this, we went inside & were told to grab a pair of either 1 or 2 pound dumbbells. I grabbed the 2 pounders. Again, more warm-up with side shuffling around the perimeter of all the boxing bags, changing directions when she told us to & also stops to do push-ups or burpees or jump squats and more! A good warm-up! I suppose if you have joint issues or such, you may want to modify the plyometrics.
We moved on to the kickboxing after this. Got our gloves on & away we went! Jessica called out combinations of moves to do interspersed with push-ups & more again! We also had a drill with 3 people to a bag & 2 had to squat & hold the bad while the third person did the drill. It was cool!
At the end of the class, we all got in the boxing ring for some core work & we were all making an imprint on the mat with our body sweat!!!! A really good workout! After class, I decided I needed more time on that speed bag. You can see a speed bag by clicking the previous link. It is the small bag in the pic. Not the big punching bag. It was calling my name again & I was getting better at it after a few minutes. It is addicting!!! Really! I like that speed bag and I really liked the kickboxing & looking forward to more of it!
I hope to get some pics of me doing this before my trial period ends... OMG, me without make-up AND sweaty .. not pretty!!!!
So, being the person I am, I asked how I did. I got the thumbs up! Well, what is the instructor going to say!
But, the front desk lady chimed in quickly & gave me a really big thumbs up!!! I think she meant it too. Sometimes it is just the way a person says something that you feel they are not just placating you & I think she meant it. I hope she did cause I felt like a dork at times! AT 52, this was my first attempt ever at this type of workout!
So, for those scared of moving out of their comfort zone... I say DO IT! I am not a class person but I liked this. It was a small class so that was good for me. Plus you are so focused on what you are doing & the punches & kicks that there is not time to even being looking around to compare yourself to others. Hey, we all know people do that in classes!!!! If you try to look around, you are not going to hit or kick the bag like you are supposed to!
How about getting out of your comfort zone... will you??? You may gain a whole newfound respect for yourself! I am very proud of myself for trying this at 52. I was scared shi*tless beforehand but so glad I tried. Diane, again thank you again for passing this on to me!!!!
PS: As of Sunday morn, no more marks on the shins BUT they are still "tender" to the touch AND my shoulders are still tender but not as bad as Friday or yesterday! Actually they are feeling pretty decent just in time for my early Monday workout! My shoulder workouts don't even do this & I work my shoulders pretty hard with weights! I love the feeling of being worked but I know it was not too much. Looking forward to more!
PPS: GoDaddy, my blog host, has not been sending out notifications of my blog entries the past two days. I have not received them either nor notification of the comments you all make so I apologize for that! I am going to see if I can get some answers to this today!
Jody! I so wish I was there to spectate your awesomeness.
run run run. It shall get me out of my comfort zone. I'm going to start running for serious. And try NOT to be bored.
Reply to this
Oh, Josie, there was no awesomeness BUT I was proud of myself!
You go with that running! Put on some good music & Run Forest (Josie) Run!
Reply to this
That sounds like fun! I haven't ever been to a class myself but I always thought I'd enjoy them
Reply to this
You should be totally proud of yourself! And ouch on the shins - that is the more sore place, isn't it?
Reply to this
How did you get those bruises? As I told you, they make shin protectors. I always wore one. (well actually two
I would get bruised from other people blocking my kicks. Also, are they teaching yo to make contact with the top of the foot, or your shin? Both are correct, but from different fighting styles.
Reply to this
Dr. J, I asked about shin protectors there & they said they don't use them & with time, your shins get used to this. They teach to hit the bag with that area of your leg, not the top of the foot.
I just have 30 days here so I won't invest in any $$ for the classes as I really don't have the money to join afterwards as much as I am enjoying it.
Reply to this
If it were me, I'd punch them in the face every day and just tell them, don't worry, you'll get used to it! You have any used sports places there, or whatever, football arm pads are cheap. I was up to 3rd degree black belt, and I never got used to it. How old are these guys. Maybe you could take a vit K supplement for the capillary bruising. Chezzz, I'm just concerned.
Reply to this
DR. J, I love your concern!!!! Thank you! I will check again just for you!
Reply to this
What kind of 3rd Degree Blackbelt were you? Where's your makiwara board and rice bag shin training?
Shit son... I'm a 1st Degree Practitioner and I got used to it WELL before hand.
What are you going to do when you need to perform a practical application? No reasonable person will kick head height in the street but a shin kick to the knee would sweep and simultaneously cripple some legs.
Won't have time for shin guards then.
Reply to this
I had to burn the makiwara to stay warm, and the rice went good with beans for a complete protein meal.
Kenpo/Kang duk won/jujitsu/wrestling
Enjoy your training.
Reply to this
DR. J.. very funny with your beans & whatever that makiwara is....
You guys play nice!
For me, it is just exercise!
Reply to this
FJ, be nice now!!! There are all different styles out there per my understanding, course I am new here but this is just by my asking around.
We all do what is right for us.... me, I am just a little person of 52 trying something new!
Reply to this
I am envious - pain and all.
Reply to this
Steve, sorry! It is a good workout & Dr. J mentions those shin guards. If I had the money to continue, I might invest in those but I probably will have to stop after my trial membership is up.
Reply to this
Ouch!! Nothing like some battle wounds after a rough workout
Reply to this
Wow, all that pain sounds like fun
Reply to this
Jody - No need to thank me - I'm glad it's you and not me doing it!!! LOL!
I'm so glad that you are doing it and of course you got thumbs up from the instructor and the other lady. You are strong - even if this isn't your normal type of exercise!
Reply to this
Diane, yes, I DO need to thank you!
Reply to this
That speed bag is really a challenge!! Glad you're liking it--it was a really hard class to be a participant and an instructor, but always provided an awesome workout!
Reply to this
Lesley, you may like this! Good workout!
Lori, THX! It hurt but was fun! Hard fun!
Reply to this