I want to get a kickboxing DVD. There are so many out there does anyone have a suggetions on one to buy? The higher energy the better.
Second questions- I want to take kickboxing classes, but I don't want to spar w/ people. I would prefer not to have random people in a class putting their sweaty body parts on me. When you take a class at a martial arts studio is their sparing in the beginner classes or are you kicking a bag? I know that gyms offer Billy Blanks kickboxing type classes that you don't kick or punch a person, but I don't want to join a gym. Thanks.
-- Edited by RyanJ at 11:09, 2006-03-14
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I don’t want no part of your tight-ass country-club, you freak bitch!
Yay, I teach kickboxing! I would have to say that most classes don't have sparing, or at least gyms would offer both since sparing is not for beginners. Tao Bo is good, it'll give you a HI workout.
Can't be of much help with the DVD question but as far as mainstream kickboxing and boxing classes go, sparring is rare - actually, I've never encountered it in any of the classes I've taken. I've only taken classes at conventional sports clubs/gyms - not martial arts studios - but I still think you'd be on your own or against a punching bag at the beginner level. From what I've seen, people don't start sparring until they're pretty advanced.
I've taken lots of "Cardio Kickboxing" classes, and they are spar-free. A lot of community rec. centers offer them, and I have found the instructors to be great. It's a great workout, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Right now I have this DVD of cardio kick boxing. It is in 10 min. segements in each one targets an area. I only do one segement at a time, but after a couple of weeks I already notice a difference.
sparring is for more advanced people or for those looking to fight. I didnt' start sparring until six months or so into my training, and even now I only do it a few times a week. So, don't worry about that at all! If it does come up, don't be scared to tell the instructor you don't feel comfortable doing that. If they're good, they won't make you feel uncomfortable for saying something, and they should be grateful since they don't want you to get hurt and not come back! HTH