ADAPTABLE CLASSES

Injuries are common in the world of sports. Training intensely, often with repetitive as well as explosive movements, is obviously more challenging to the body than sitting on the sofa!

Contact sports, such as martial arts, do bring with them the possibility of injury. Having said that, KB Fitness’ martial arts classes are as safe as they can be, in that regard. Every member wears protective gear when sparring (kicking and punching one another) and the contact is light and controlled. Pad work, too, is taught and executed in a controlled manner, with the focus on being fast and light, rather than laboured and heavy. With this approach firmly in place in KB Fitness’ London Kickboxing classes, the likelihood of injuries happening due to the contact work itself is very low.

But no matter how careful everyone is, injuries can happen in any environment as part of an active life. Tripping or slipping, riding a bike, running for the bus, lifting something incorrectly, etc. So, how does a martial artist deal with injuries and how they affect their training? It will depend on the type of injury, of course, and on the advice of health care practitioners.

Injured KB members often decide, with advice from their doctor or physiotherapist, that they want to keep training in a limited capacity while their injury heals. In order to accommodate that, KB Fitness’ Chief Instructor Kelly KB makes sure that the lesson plans at KB’s London Kickboxing and Self Defence classes can be adapted as needed.

For someone who has injured their foot or knee, the lesson is adapted so that the member will focus on their boxing and blocking, working on the same spot without moving, and taking regular breaks to rest, during their London Kickboxing classes.

In the case of an injury to the arm or shoulder, Kelly will incorporate different types of footwork, light punching with the uninjured arm, and different kicks and fighting tactics.

“I injured my knee a couple of years ago, but I didn’t want to stop training. My doctor said that as long as I wore a brace, took regular breaks and didn’t kick, it was fine to train. Kelly and Dee used to give me different combinations of punches and blocks at class, so I focused on my upper body only. It was invaluable to still participate in the Kickboxing classes during that time, be part of the positive energy and, of course, improve my boxing,” said Kelly FN.

Kelly FN learned that even at a limited capacity, there was a lot that she could gain from kickboxing training. Her boxing got a lot faster and cleaner because she focused solely on that while she was healing. She also exercised a lot of her patience and discipline, traits that all martial artists hone in the course of their journey.

It’s also worth remembering that any kind of activity can be a huge boost to our mental state – releasing endorphins and lifting our mood. Rather than doing nothing, adapting our training allows us to not miss out on the mental health benefits, as well as the physical ones.

Whether injured or not, KB members are always encouraged to take the Kickboxing classes at their own pace, as well as challenging themselves to be the best they can be in that moment.

Have you been thinking of trying the martial arts but hesitating because you’re unfit, or feel that you won’t be able to keep up, for whatever reason? KB Fitness’ London martial arts classes are accessible to everyone, from beginner level all the way to Black Belt level. Book your Kickboxing trial class and come see all that KB has to offer.