| The true origins of kickboxing date back over 2,000 | | | | with weight training, increase endurance with |
| years but although classed as a martial art, | | | | cardiovascular work such as running, skipping and |
| Kickboxing Tournaments are relatively new and the | | | | jumping etc. Flexibility is all important not only when |
| sport of kickboxing was started in the US in the | | | | competing in kick boxing tournaments but to limber |
| early 1970's. Many American Karate practitioners | | | | up and relax before hand to eliminate stress and |
| were sick of the strict controls placed on all traditional | | | | strain and help avoid serious injury and also to cool |
| forms of martial arts tournaments and formed a | | | | down afterwards to avoid muscle stiffness. |
| break away group and thus kick boxing came into | | | | Diet needs to be strictly adhered to. Low in fats, high |
| being with full contact kicks and punches that were | | | | in protein and the necessary amount of |
| formally banned in martial arts competitions At that | | | | carbohydrates as fuel. Plenty of fresh fruit and |
| time many people were worried by the chance of | | | | vegetables round off the diet. It is necessary for all |
| high injury rates so protective clothing was added | | | | of us to drink enough water and it is recommended |
| and safety rules were put into place. The kickboxing | | | | that the average person needs about 8 glasses a |
| tournaments we see today vary in style and are | | | | day and those in high exercise groups such as the |
| closely related to their traditional martial art style. | | | | kick boxer training for and entering kickboxing |
| People take kickboxing classes for a number of | | | | tournaments will require much more. The martial artist |
| reasons and learning kickboxing techniques is a great | | | | must stay hydrated at all times for peak |
| way of protecting yourself. Kickboxing classes are | | | | performance. If not the artist will suffer from muscle |
| becoming extremely popular for fitness and many | | | | soreness, fatigue and will not recover as quickly. |
| personal trainers are adopting forms of kickboxing | | | | Junk food, alcohol and caffeine are a no go. As with |
| for their clients. Most importantly are those individuals | | | | all martial arts the power of the mind is all important. |
| to whom kickboxing is their sport and indeed to | | | | Controlling our emotions and concentrating on our |
| some that are totally committed, kickboxing | | | | movements can make the difference to winning or |
| becomes a way of life and entering kickboxing | | | | loosing. Keeping tempers under control and relaxing |
| tournaments a personal challenge. | | | | into our moves makes for stronger and more |
| Preparing for these tournaments is heard work as | | | | accurate kicks and punches. |
| fitness levels must be high. Not only does the artist | | | | Preparation for kickboxing tournaments depends a lot |
| have to deliver powerful kicks and punches but has | | | | on the level of fitness and the determination of the |
| to be fit enough to avoid their opponent and or | | | | martial artist and can take a considerable amount of |
| recover from the impact themselves. It is necessary | | | | training and indeed time. |
| to build up muscle strength and tone the entire body | | | | |