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by Jeremy McCarthy
Boxing, which rides
the fine line between sports and martial arts, is an exception to
this dilemma found in many traditional martial arts. The evolution
of the sport of boxing (sometimes referred to as "the Sweet
Science") has brought more attention to effective training
methods and scientific principles than other martial arts have
received. Because of this, boxers and kickboxers receive a
physical conditioning level, specific to their sport, far beyond
what one can expect from a traditional martial arts training
system.
 There
has been much debate amongst martial artists about the
efficacy of boxing skills versus other martial arts styles.
While we must remember that boxers are limited by the
rules of their sports and that these limits would become
their weaknesses in a real confrontation, we must also
respect that any fighter who has been well trained with
sound fitness principles in mind, would have greater speed,
greater strength and power, and better conditioning to
sustain blows.
I do not say here that
boxing is a more effective martial art for self defense than
others. I only note that any martial art which trains with the
same conditioning principles that boxers traditionally follow,
would have an advantage over those who focus on technique but do
not have the physical fitness to sustain the physical effort
involved in a real confrontation.
Boxing
Aerobics
Just as martial artists gain by seeking knowledge from the ever
expanding world of exercise science, so may fitness enthusiasts
gain by stepping into the martial arts arena. Workout programs
involving boxing, kickboxing and other martial arts techniques are
becoming more and more mainstream in the '90's. Boxerobics, Cardio
Kickboxing, Aeroboxing and Boxing for Fitness Classes are the
latest addition to health club class schedules. These classes
provide a full body workout while relieving stress and eliminating
the repetitiveness of many other types of aerobics.
Additionally, these
classes are equally attractive to women and men, and can teach
practical self defense skills to their participants bringing
meaning to the workout otherwise missing from Step or other
aerobic classes.
Jeremy McCarthy holds
a black belt in Tang Soo Do from the World Tang Soo Do
Association, a Black Belt in Hapkido from the International Daemoo
Hapkido Association and Apprentice Instructor Certification from
Paul Vunak's Progressive Fighting Systems in Jeet Kune Do and
Fhilipino Martial Arts Concepts. He can be reached at
jeremymccarthy@hotmail.com
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