Self-Defense | Written By: Andre Vatke

With fitness clubs, community centers and even martial arts schools offering cardio kickboxing, it’s becoming one of the most popular workout routines around. But when it comes to self-defense it can be dangerous.

Cardio kickboxing is a great aerobic activity but many participants believe that they are learning something that has at least a little practicality. They believe that they are learning to punch and kick – techniques that could come in handy in a self-defense situation.

Nothing could be more misleading.

A typical cardio kickboxing class moves through typical martial arts techniques and even combinations. The moves are worked into swiftly executed combinations (for example: jab, cross punch, hook, uppercut, front kick). But as executed in this class setting they lack effectiveness in a real life situation and can even create injury in training.

The problems with cardio kickboxing…

Observing classes shows that participants execute techniques with a certain randomness – not under the eye of an expert. Routines often require the pulling of punches and the full extension (locking out) of joins. This robs even good looking techniques of power and increases the odds of injury to joints.

The focus of these classes is simply on the general movement. There is no focus on power, penetration or rotation. This training conditions the participant to throw techniques that deliver very little kinetic energy to their target and have little chance of creating an injury reaction.

As you train you will do. When faced with the sudden stress of a self-defense situation you will lose your ability to think your way through it. Your survival depends on your ability to react without thinking about the execution of a specific technique. Only a realistic training environment can condition you for this.

Dynamic Self-Defense provides all the intensity of a cardio kickboxing class yet delivers a safer training environment through biomechanically safe yet devastatingly effective techniques.  And our realistic scenario training will condition your reaction for a real life self-defense situation. Intermediate and above DSD students, for example, know what it feels like to have someone holding them down, to face two or more attackers, or to face attackers with weapons. Once their morbid curiosity is satisfied they are free to train on their reaction – working on their knowledge of the principles, tools and targets of defense.

Call us today to schedule a time to observe a class so you can determine is Dynamic Self-Defense is the ideal fitness and self-protection program for you or your family.