Kickboxing is one of the easiest martial arts to start. There's no uniform to buy, no belt system to navigate, and the first techniques are usable within a single session.
Session one: stance and guard
Everything begins with how you stand. Feet at roughly shoulder width, lead foot forward, weight balanced, hands up. From there you'll learn a jab and a cross, then practise them on pads with a partner.
It feels awkward. It's supposed to. Balance improves within two or three sessions.
The first few weeks
- Jab, cross, hook and the basic guard
- Teep and roundhouse kicks
- Simple two- and three-shot combinations
- Moving in and out of range without crossing your feet
- Basic defence: parries, blocks and head movement
Pad work and partners
Most of the class is spent in pairs, one holding pads while the other works. Holding is a skill in itself and you'll be shown how. Beginners are rarely paired with heavy hitters, and the coach controls who works with whom.
Do I have to spar?
No. Sparring is a separate step and entirely optional. Plenty of members train kickboxing for years purely for fitness, technique and enjoyment.
Where to start in Reading
Our dedicated beginners kickboxing classes run on Tuesday evenings and Saturday lunchtimes, and your first one is free.