When I started my kickboxing training, I had no idea that there was more than one style of kickboxing. I just thought kickboxing was kickboxing. As I have become more interested in the history of kickboxing, I was surprised to find out that there are a multitude of styles, some more common or popular than others.
There are 16 varients of kickboxing originating from all around the world. Of those 16, there are 5 main styles that are most common in the western world. These variations include American kickboxing, Muay Thai, French kickboxing (also known as Savate, or Boxe Française), Dutch kickboxing. and cardio kickboxing.
So you have to wonder…how can there be so many different types of kickboxing? Most of us are used to the jab, cross, hook, uppercut, roundhouse, above the waist, stand up, long flashy pants kind of kickboxing.
But the definition of kickboxing from Cambridge Dictionary is “a sport in which two competitors fight by hitting each other with their hands and kicking each other with their feet” (source). Because this is such a generic term, kickboxing can include a number of fighting/boxing styles that you may not have ever thought of.
Lets look at the 5 main styles of kickboxing that we find most commonly in the west to determine which one suits you best.
American Kickboxing
American kickboxing is definitively the most well known style of kickboxing in the US and many parts of Europe. It was born in the 1970s as a combination of karate and boxing. American kickboxing is a stand up sport (meaning there is no wrestling or floor work involved) in which striking below the waist is prohibited. (Personally, I like this rule!)
There is no one single international governing organization overseeing this sport. Instead, there are several organizations that hold their own kickboxing events, each making their own rules and regulations. Some of the larger and better known American kickboxing associations include World Kickboxing Network, World Association of Kickboxing Organization (WAKO), and International Kickboxing Federation.
If you want a really great stand up workout that teaches you how to punch and kick above the waist, you might want to give American kickboxing a try. If you’d like to learn more about how you can get fit kickboxing, take a look at this article I wrote on how kickboxing can be a really effective total body workout!
Muay Thai
Muay Thai, also known as Thai boxing, is a type of kickboxing that originated in Thailand. Muay Thai includes punching and kicking techniques, but it also incorporates the use of knee and elbow strikes. The clinch, also known as upper body grappling, is used in this style as well. Strikes below the waist are permitted, but not to the groin area.
To some, Muay Thai is thought of as a more aggressive form of kickboxing. Muay Thai has become a more popular form of kickboxing in recent years because it is a highly effective workout that also cultivates self defense and combat skills, much more so than American kickboxing. If you want to get super fit and also learn how to fight and defend yourself, Muay Thai is a great choice.
French kickboxing (also known as Savate, or Boxe Française)
French kickboxing is a combat sport that originated in the 1800s by sailors in the ports of France. In this variation of kickboxing, boxers are permitted to wear shoes in competition. This gives competitors a better opportunity to land more deadly kicks. The points of the feet are the main contact when kicking.
One of the main elements that sets this apart from other forms of kickboxing are the feints involved when competing. Feints, or strikes that are meant to distract and mislead the opponent, are often used to deliver an unanticipated blow to a different area of the body. Kicks circle in rapidly from different directions to one part of the body, followed by an unexpected blow to another part of the body. This bait and switch method gives French kickboxers an advantage.
In contrast to the black belt system, glove colors indicate ranks in Savate. As you move up the levels, you earn different glove colors. A student can’t compete until they have reached the red glove level.
This type of kickboxing is not as well known in the US, and is more prevalent in European countries, especially France. In Europe, Savate is known as an outstanding form of self defense. This is another type of kickboxing that would be excellent to learn if you were interested in self defense and fighting skills. But if you’re not into getting kicked by a shoe, it might not be for you.
Dutch Kickboxing
Dutch kickboxing is another martial art that has become quite popular in Europe. This style of kickboxing integrates techniques from Western boxing, Muay Thai, and Kyokushin karate. Unlike American kickboxing, kicks to the legs and head, and knee strikes are allowed. Elbow strikes are not permitted. Very aggressive sparring is common practice in Dutch kickboxing.
Because Dutch kickboxers spend a lot of their training time sparring, they are often better prepared than many other martial artists when it comes to combat. It is common to spar hard on a daily basis.
This extreme hard sparring practice comes with the benefits of a high level of fitness, confidence, and fighting ability. But it puts fighters at risk for injuries, especially concussions. If you are looking for an extreme kickboxing style that will develop your fighting skills beyond all else, then check out Dutch kickboxing.
Cardio Kickboxing
Most serious Martial Artists will tell you that cardio kickboxing is not really kickboxing. But if the definition of kickboxing is to use your hands and feet to kick and punch, this also has to qualify.
This is the type kickboxing you see often set to music in group classes. Usually you are taught a routine that consists of combinations of punches and kicks. Often these combinations are fast paced enough to torch a lot of calories.
No, cardio kickboxing is not going to teach you how to defend yourself or fight. But it will teach you the proper way to execute many punches and kicks, it will develop your cardiovascular fitness, strengthen your muscles, improve balance, and flexibility, and it’s a really empowering fun way to get in shape!
If you’re looking for a more fun, less serious form of kickboxing to improve your fitness and increase your confidence, give this a try. If you want to learn to fight, you’re better off learning Muay Thai or one of the many other styles of kickboxing discussed here.
The 16 Styles of Kickboxing:
Now that we know the more popular forms of kickboxing, here is a list of all of the different variations of kickboxing with some short explanations of each listed in no particular order:
- Lethwei– Also known as Burmese boxing, this bare knuckle martial art allows headbutts, and strikes to any part of the body. Because of this, Lethwei is considered one of the bloodiest Martial Arts.
- Kun Gek Do or Gwon-gyokdo— This Korean kickboxing style combines Tae Kwon Do front kick push techniques with Muay Thai style roundhouse kicks and punches.
- Muay Thai – Although originating in Thailand, this is an MMA (mixed martial art) that has become quite popular in the west. Strikes below the waist, and elbow and knee strikes are allowed.
- Muay Boran – This is a general term for all unarmed martial arts practiced in Thailand. Originally taught in the Thai military for combat. This Thai style of kickboxing differs from Muay Thai in that it incorporates ground fighting.
- Japanese kickboxing – Japanese kickboxing began in the 1960s in Osaka, Japan. It is a mixed matial art that is based on the rules of Muay Thai and the techniques of full contact Karate (Kyokushin). This was the first martial art to assume the name “kickboxing”.
- Shoot boxing – This is another form of Japanese kickboxing. As in Sanda, throws are permitted. But in contrast to Sanda, in Shoot boxing the fighter must be standing.
- Kudo: This is a Japanese martial art that puts safety in the forefront. Fighters wear headgear and gloves. Throwdowns, grappling and chokeholds are permitted. This form of kickboxing is practiced all around the world, but has become most popular in Russia.
- American kickboxing – A combination of Karate and boxing, this above the waist stand up style of kickboxing is well known in the Western world.
- Savate– A combat sport originating in France. Shoes are allowed in competition. Known for feints. Uses glove colors to represent ranks. Well known in France, not popular in the US.
- Sanda – Formally known as Sanshou, and also called Chinese kickboxing, this style of fighting was originally introduced by the Chinese military. Based on Kung Fu techniques, wresting moves such as throws and take downs are used.
- Yaw-Yan- Also known as Sayaw ng Kamatayan and Dance of Death, this is the Filipino style of kickboxing was introduced in 1972. It is similar to Muay Thai but differs in the way the kicks are performed from the hip in order to attack from longer range with more power.
- Full-Contact Karate– A general term to include many variations of Karate in which fighters spar with full contact and the criteria to win includes a knockout. Some of the variations of full contact Karate include: Karate Combat, Knockdown, American, Bogu Kumite, Full contact point karate, and Gloved Karate.
- Pradal Serey– Originating in Cambodia, this is a form of kickboxing that uses punches, kicks, and knee and elbow strikes. The clinch is also permitted. Elbow strikes are the predominant technique used to defeat the opponent.
- Dutch Kickboxing– This style of kickboxing is a combination of Western boxing, Muay Thai, and Kyokushin karate. Very aggressive sparring is coming practice, therefore Dutch kickboxers are known to be quite prepared to perform well in a street fight or a competitive match.
- Adithada– Indian Kickboxing practiced in Sri Lanka and southern India. This style uses uncovered hands, elbows, knees, legs and headbutts. Once mastered, students will go on to learn a form that uses weapons.
- Cardio Kickboxing– A form of group fitness in which students are taught combinations of kicks and punches with the goal of burning calories, and improving overall health.
What is the Best Kickboxing Style?
As you can see, there are benefits to every kickboxing style. Determining which one is the best depends on what your goals are. Here is a quick reference table to help you decide which kickboxing style is the best for you:
| Kickboxing Style | Goal: | Where You’ll Find Classes |
|---|---|---|
| American Kickboxing | kicking & punching techniques, fitness | US & UK |
| Muay Thai | self defense and fighting skills, fitness | US, Western Countries, Thailand |
| French Kickboxing | self defense and fighting skills, fitness | Europe, especially France |
| Dutch Kickboxing | self defense and high level fighting skills, fitness | Europe, especially Netherlands |
| Cardio Kickboxing | fitness, fun, group classes | Western Countries |