Kickboxing

Kickboxing is a martial art and combat sport that mixes the punches of boxing with kicks from karate and other fighting styles. People learn it for fitness, confidence and fun as much as for competition. At a beginner session there's no fighting at all. Instead you practise punches and kicks on pads, which makes it a great activity to try as a family.

There are lots of kickboxing styles around the world. Muay Thai comes from Thailand and is known as the art of eight limbs, because it uses fists, elbows, knees and shins. Savate is a French style where fighters kick while wearing shoes.

Other styles focus mainly on punches and kicks, and many clubs teach a mix of all of them. Beginner sessions usually stick to the basics that every style shares.

Everything starts with your stance: feet apart, knees soft and hands up by your face in a guard. From there you learn the main punches. The jab is a quick, straight punch with your front hand, the cross is a straight punch with your back hand, and the hook and uppercut swing round and up.

Then come the kicks. A front kick pushes forward with the ball of your foot, and a roundhouse kick swings round and lands with your shin or the top of your foot. Once you've got a few moves, you put them together into combinations.

Yes, and it's a lovely one to try side by side. Your Activity Leader starts with a warm-up and shows you each move slowly, then you practise on pads held by a partner or the Activity Leader. Nobody spars or fights anyone. Children love the sound of a good, solid hit on the pad, and many families find it a fun way to build confidence and burn off energy together.

Comfortable clothes you can stretch, kick and move easily in, like leggings, tracksuit bottoms or shorts and a T-shirt. Take off watches and jewellery, and tie back long hair. Gloves and pads are provided. Bring a water bottle, as it's a very physical, whole-body activity.

You might also like Self Defence, Filipino Stick Fighting and Parkour.

See all Camp Kindling activities