Kickbox Core Cross-Train

Patricia Moreno
Year Released: 2008

Categories: Abs/Core , Boxing/Kickboxing/Martial Arts


I really liked this workout! It is divided into several sections. There is a 5-minute beginning section that is very, very slow and consists of Patricia telling you to "suck in your belly" a lot. The warmup aka Punch section goes through the basic punches and the signature move of speedbag while going into plie, then "scooping" back up doing reverse speedbag.

The Core section is the real meat of the workout. This 25-minute section is all punches with deep squats. Patricia builds up a long combination section by section. The ultimate product is high alternating punches, low alternating punches; speedbag scoop; eight uppercuts, four double uppercuts; left-right-left punch, then right-left-right punch; seven punches with right fist while in semi-lunge position; repeat to left; bob and weave to the left then hook; repeat to right; alternating front jabs and alternating cross jabs.

The kicks section is not so much steady state cardio but is still very powerful once you get things going. Patricia sets things up (maybe a little slowly for my taste) by setting up the front push kicks and back kicks. Then she has you doing side lunge, then lift that lunging leg into front kick, then repeat with back kick. She teaches the "jinga" which is sort of in between a back lunge and back curtsey lunge with arm in hook position across your chest. The lunging leg eventually goes into roundhouse kick.

Then you do sets of eight combining the side lunge, front and back kicks, jinga and roundhouse. It's all about balance and control, not so much cardio - though you do get a bit of an anaerobic effect. Only about 15-20 minutes.

The combinations section was very short, less than 15 minutes. You do jab-cross-hook, front kick, back kick, switching from side to side. Then you do upper cuts, front punches, jinga and roundhouse. You also do left-right-left punch, left front kick and switch to other side.

The setting is the beautiful desert. Three women and a man work out behind Patricia. The music is nice though on a loop - from sort of arena rock guitar to new age.

Instructor Comments:
Patricia is as lovely and competent as she always was. My only issue was that she repeated the mantra of "If you want it, you can get it...do your best and think about what you want..." in various versions over and over and over again.

acey

03/29/2008