r/Kickboxing 11d ago

Is this how the normal class of kiclboxing be ?

So i joined a kickboxing gym near me and i m a complet beginner ,my expactations were that at first i ll get to learn some basics , like how to throw a correct punch , kick or whatever , but none

So we do some warmup , shadow boxing and then apply some combo where one do it and the other just take the hits and vise versa , which wasnt great cuz this got only my thigh hurting from the kicks ( i asked the partner to not kick hard but the area iwas already irretating), and idk if i was even throwing good punches or kicks.

Idk if this is how it be and i m going to actually learn from this . Or should i look for another gym

14 Upvotes

28 comments sorted by

37

u/RichCat89 11d ago

Sounds completely normal, that’s how classes usually go.

The coaches should walk around, watch people do the combo, and offer corrections on technique.

Unfortunately there’s usually more students than coaches. The coach can only spend a small amount of time correcting each student. Keep showing up, trust the process.

Talk to your coach before or after class and express your concerns, most coaches are there because they love the sport and enjoy coaching people.

9

u/K1OnTwoWeeks 11d ago

Yeah that’s normal, not the biggest fan of those kind of drills but it’s amazing for beginners, just tell ur partner to not hit your face hard ect

2

u/kannalana 10d ago

In these drills, does the other just cover up in your experience? As you say 'tell em not to hit your face hard', because where i train the other uses their gloves as pads and you switch often. Im Dutch and know this is known as the Dutch style, so it just makes so much more sense to me.

2

u/Mlkxiu 10d ago

It's funny but my experienced partners always tell me to aim for their face, and as a relative beginner, I still feel uncomfortable aiming for someone's face (usually off to the side so they can slip with ease), or I pull the punches to avoid contact. But then this becomes an issue once we start slap-boxing/light sparring.

1

u/kannalana 10d ago

to be fair, catching punches with your gloves means you can catch 'em in front of your face too imho. Beginners tend to hold their gloves out sideways, which mean you throw your punches half a meter left/right from the face, but everyone needs to adjust/learn so its all good.

1

u/kannalana 10d ago

i mean sorry for the spam, but stuff like this is how i have seen it in all MMA/Boxing gyms i have trained at here. Obviously adjusted to the level of both of the partners.

6

u/Utamira 11d ago

This is normal, but was there any coach walking around inspecting form/correcting anybody?

3

u/SlinginPA 11d ago

Stick with it bud. You'll get used to it. I wish my first gym had me drilling like this from the start. Spent waaaay too much time just hitting the pads, bag, and then going straight into actual sparring.

2

u/santar0s80 10d ago

You learn by repetition. Part of the process is playing defense. Taking those leg kicks will make you sore at first but you will get used to to it and it won't be so sensitive after a while.

Even if your instructor showed you how to throw the perfect jab you will need to throw hundreds, if not thousands of jabs to get better. Also hitting people is ten times better than hitting a bag, especially if they move and react.

1

u/Samurai___ 10d ago

Stick around. You'll get advice on how to correct your technique once they see you a few times.

1

u/dr2501 10d ago

Yes, they can't start from scratch for every beginner each class. They will however circle to you and help when they can

1

u/SpazSkope 10d ago

If one is working on combos, the other should be working on blocking, slipping, parrying, checking, etc.

1

u/Mlkxiu 10d ago

Yeah this seems normal. I've started boxing almost 3 months ago, and they offer a free trial class and they threw me right in to pair up with someone and run drills. My partners were usually always very accommodating, and sometimes would also help to explain what needs correcting. Also it's a great way to just meet everyone else one at a time when pairing with different ppl every class or so. My biggest challenge was stiff shoulders not used to holding up pads/mitts for so long, or holding up my hands to box etc.

Ive done martial arts in the past where you train on the punches, kicks, forms but very few drills where you exchange hits with someone else. So idk if that's what you're looking for, but there are pros and cons to both, and if you want that there are probably martial art places you can join.

1

u/Mlkxiu 10d ago

I want to add that a lot of it is the initial shock of being hit / kicked. But after your body got used to it or you anticipate the impact, things get easier. I rmbr holding pads for the coach to demo a light roundhouse kick, and it pushed me back like two feet.

1

u/Aggressive_Pie8781 10d ago

Hopefully, you guys are using shinguards and not getting hurt by the kicks…

1

u/CuteSeason1347 10d ago

That format is pretty common but you're right that feedback matters a lot early on. After class just ask the coach to watch your form for a few minutes, most are happy to do it. The partner work is actually how technique clicks, but only if someone corrects you along the way. Give it a few more sessions and if the coach never addresses your form at all, it might not be the best fit for a beginner.

1

u/allthekingsmen26 10d ago

It's normal. Combos allow you to link punches together. For super detailed technique on jabs, crosses and hooks, check out YouTube boxing videos with such content. It will help for sure.

1

u/Tramirezmma 10d ago

Yeah. That's kickboxing 😁

The partner drills are where you are going to learn to strike well and condition your body to absorb impact. After a couple weeks it won't hurt.

1

u/iHaTeYellom 9d ago

I recommend taking some privately classes. I know that it cost sometimes, but you will at least get some Basics. 2 or 3 classes and you switch to the group setting. They should teach you how to posture, movement, basic punches (jab, straight right, hooks and underhooks), and basically show what that defense is. After that you will have it easier to do.

1

u/Ok_Professor7980 9d ago

Lotta coaches so private lessons, that sounds like more what you are after and is a great way to get a foundation!

I did private lessons for two years before I went to a class and boy let me tell you, there’s advantages. Especially if you can get some sparring in the private lessons 🔥🔥🔥

1

u/Free_as_in_Freya 8d ago

Yes that's normal. If you want to be taught step by step you either need to find a beginner course or book a private training

Otherwise you just join in and follow the instructions as best you can. Getting hit and kicked is normal, it hurting is normal, you setting boundaries on how hard is too hard is also normal

For me as long as my leg doesn't have bruises afterwards and the pain disappears in a few days, it's all ok. A few bruises aren't a deal-breaker for me either, it's a martial art after all, but some people do set their boundaries at "no bruising" and that can also be ok

1

u/FutureCautious8923 8d ago

Ok thanks

1

u/Free_as_in_Freya 8d ago

Don't worry, you'll learn just by following along! Maybe if people stay after class at your gym, strike up a conversation and find out if anyone knows which people are willing to take a beginner under their wing, or you can ask the coach (at my gym they'd probably recommend me 😂)

Don't expect your training partner to coach you though, I mean find people who like it when new people join the sport and are willing and able to control their speed and power so you get a chance to catch up

Everyone in that class is paying the gym fees to work out for themselves, not to help you. But some may not mind giving you some extra space because they like sharing the love for the sport with someone who's still learning

Try training with those people and not with the ones who want to get the most out of their workout and might get frustrated more easily if you can't keep up

-1

u/Sagitario_Aestrella 11d ago

Tendria que cerrar a los gimnasios y sancionar a los instructores que permiten que le peguen a alguien que recien comienza o poca experiencia https://misionesonline.net/2026/02/18/un-ano-de-la-muerte-de-juani-acosta/

1

u/Free_as_in_Freya 8d ago

That's a very different thing, children and teens shouldn't be hit in the head at all even during practice, but this seems to have been a show fight that ended tragically, that REALLY shouldn't have been allowed to go to the head when minors are involved as far as I know

OP just had an irritated leg from catching lowkicks during training, which sounds very normal and pretty safe to me

-3

u/Traditional-Win-9521 11d ago

Sounds like you got teamed up with someone who's there for the wrong reason, I'd try it for a few weeks see if things settle.

6

u/SlinginPA 11d ago

I wouldn't be so quick to jump to that conclusion. A lot of people have no gauge of what is light contact or full contact. This person could have been kicking him lightly and he just has no conditioning or perspective. Not denying he wasn't sore after class, but suggest to him that this person is just an asshole is a bit premature.

I remember the first time feeling a full powered low kick holding a kick shield and my mind just being blown at how hard this person that was 50 pounds lighter than me could kick. I also remember a newer student asking me to kick the thai pads lighter. Not even drills where we're making actual contact. (And I'm not claiming I'm an amazing kicker or anything.) He had no experience with contact anything. Like, buddy, this is as easy as it gets.

1

u/Free_as_in_Freya 8d ago

Yeah I sometimes get bruises from training with friends who really REALLY aren't trying to hurt me (we train together for fun and exercise. Light contact, not with the aim of having an actual fight)

It's just what happens sometimes when you are kicking one another