Krav Maga - Shadow Kickboxing

Hey Everyone!

Today I'm going to be talking about Shadow Kickboxing which I have found to be very effective in my training routine.

I'm sure you have seen those who practice martial arts, boxers or MMA fighters who spend hours just working on their technique, their speed, just throwing punches and kicks with imaginary opponents. That is shadow boxing/ kickboxing.

Anyone who is involved with contact sports as a hobby or professionally will be practicing Shadow kickboxing on a regular basis. It improves response time, speed, foot work, etc

I personally use shadow kickboxing as compared to shadow boxing. The only difference according to me is in shadow boxing you are working with boxing techniques but in shadow kickboxing you are working with punches, kicks, knees elbows, defense even take downs. What does this mean for me? While shadow boxing only conditions my upper body most of the time,  shadow kickboxing conditions my full body. Also it requires no equipment except your body and mind! You could get a pair of gloves if you choose too.

I use it as a:

1) Warm-up

2) A 'finisher' at my training sessions.

3) When I need to lean down quickly

4) Quick fire training when I'm short on time

5) 'Go to' exercise sequence

6) Improve conditioning, co-ordination and speed

7) Also as an assessment to check where my power level is being hindered due to weak or tight muscles.

8) A stress breaker

Most times I schedule for an intense 10 minutes of shadow kickboxing. It can also be combined with strength training. So I would start with 1 minute of punches and kicks and then drop down and do 10 pushups, rest for about 15 seconds, then back again to punches and kicks and start off right away with squats. The combinations that can be worked are plenty so there is no getting bored.

Safety:

1) Always stretch  for at least 2 minutes

2) While learning, start slow. Like everything else in training, technique and form are important. Get comfortable with technique then build speed.

3) Never hyper-extend or lock out your joints when throwing a punch or kick

4) Find a comfortable speed and then increase as you get get comfortable

5) When kicking it is not so much the height that matters, but the technique, power and speed.

If there is one effective all round conditioning technique and you are short on time shadow kickboxing sure fits the bill.  I usually follow Krav Maga style as it is very reality based, and trains for real world self defense at the same time.

Courtesy: http://temple-of-fitness.blogspot.in/