American Fitness Professionals & Associates

By: Marcus DeValentino, Cardio Kickboxing CEC & Program Director

If anyone ever wonders “What in the world does Cardio Kickboxing have to do with Mixed Martial Arts?” they need not look any further than the “Original” Cardio Kickboxing Workout video and its evolution today.  www.cardiokickboxing.com

With the exception of sport jujitsu grappling techniques designed specifically for the mat or, submissions, there is not one single aspect of the Original Cardio Kickboxing Programs science, methodology, and distinction that is not rooted in fight conditioning and training.  The boxers and stand up fighters also have their versions of cornering, clinching, jamming, and trapping incidentally.

When we look at the training regimen of the Original Cardio Kickboxing Program that is actually based on mixed martial arts training and coaching science we find ourselves with an unlimited capacity not only to preserve the integrity of the sport of kick-boxing, but, to evolve as well.

When we speak of Cardio Kickboxing in its essence we are not talking about a mere workout but, a training program and for the “more serious”, that train as a way of life as with any fighter, warrior or fitness warrior.

And this essence is part Western boxing, Muay Thai, modified kicking skills of karate, modified strikes of karate e.g. the spinning back fist strike and more importantly, conditioning of form, style, balance, speed, flexibility, control, psychology, power, and discipline of body and perfection of body weapons.

Let us break it down shall we?

With Western boxing we develop the power of the punching arsenal including the jab, hook, uppercut, cross, and overhands for offense.  For defense we have elusive and evasive footwork, constant moving off the balls of the feet, bobbing, weaving, slipping, and also crouching, hand positioning with fist on guard near the chin and elbows near the ribs or modifications thereof.

This includes traditional boxer gym training equipment such as hand wraps, gloves, speed bag, heavy bag, timing ball, uppercut bag, skip rope, road work, and the medicine ball core workouts as well an non-equipment based training concepts such as crunches, push ups, squats, etc.

Our influence from Thailand’s Muay Thai (pronounced Moo Tie) with its variety of Contact rules depending on the sanctioning body, gives us shin/instep round kicks, knee kicks and blocks, elbow strikes, boxing skills, clinching, head butts, and advanced training with heavier targets and emphasis on sparring drills (Non contact at the workouts other than focus targets and heavy bag drills).

For more on National rules for full contact and semi-contact please visit the International Kickboxing Federation at www.ikfkickboxing.com  The Cardio Kickboxing program has been endorsed by the IKF.

Modified kicks of karate means less flamboyant and more direct kicking skill designed to knock down or knock out an opponent while minimizing the risk of being knocked out however, the primary kicking weapons are front push kick, knee kick, and round kick.

Modified Karate techniques went through a metamorphosis during the seventies when the stance became modified to suit boxing/kick-boxing techniques but, as we have mentioned, primarily, the variety of kicks, jumping, spinning, flying, etceteras have been narrowed down to a smaller range of kicks that are more practical for kick boxing purposes.
An honorable mention goes to Benny “The Jet” Urquidez.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benny_Urquidez

The latest evolution (2010) of the Original Cardio Kickboxing workout is called “Cardio Kickboxing MMX” with the MMX referring to mixed martial arts conditioning and coaching science and as such, includes all of the above but, unlike the common fitness center workout, participants also pair off and rotate with one another or they alternate roles between coach/trainer and fighter on a mission not only to bring out the best from one another based on bio-feed back but, also to perform the techniques correctly and to the best of their abilities.

“Players win Games, Teams win Championships.”

So, here we go with yet another “Next Evolution” of the Cardio Kickboxing Fitness Program.  I have always emphasized HIT, High Intensity training as the formula for success in Cardio Kickboxing and now as a nationally certified Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Coach Candidate, I proudly welcome fighters and elite athletes to experience Cardio Kick-boxing’s awesome “Fit to Fight” level conditioning that will actually assess, design, and instruct you appropriately while targeting your success as a fighter or fitness warrior.

Secrets won’t be revealed here but, instructors trained and certified through this program will present the knowledge and skill to get you to where you want to be.   “Fire it Up”.

Marcus DeValentino

Advisory Board Faculty Member of American Fitness Professionals & Associates (AFPA) since 1997.

CEO & Program Director/ www.cardiokickboxing.com

For Cardio Kickboxing and Fitness:

marcus.devalentino@cardiokickboxing.com

Cardio Kickboxing was first introduced to the marketplace in 1993 with the video, “The Workout with a Kick”! In 1996, the instructor certification program was developed. Now, the program is available in book form with the release of Cardio Kickboxing Elite: For Sport, For Fitness, For Self-Defense from YMAA Publishing at www.ymaa.com  or at all major bookstores in January of 2001.

Cardio Kickboxing workouts, Instructor Program, logo wear, workout DVD’s, pre-mixed music CD’s and more are accessible at: www.cardiokickboxing.com

Cardio Kickboxing is a registered and protected trade mark.  Its name, methodology, and products may not be used, modified, or copied without expressed consent.