Kung Fu vs. Kickboxing Classes in Amsterdam

Both kickboxing classes in Amsterdam and Kung Fu classes are physical sports. The popularity of both sports is also incredibly high among (young) children. The sports have similarities but also differ significantly in several important aspects. Therefore, we outline the comparison of the sports here for you.

Kickboxing historically developed from Karate. Karate, in turn, was influenced by Kung Fu. This means that kickboxing is indirectly influenced by Kung Fu as well. Both sports include punching and kicking techniques as part of the exercises. Another similarity is that both sports, at least partially, are practiced as self-defense. However, Kickboxing and Kung Fu have more differences than similarities. This mainly relates to the following.

Kickboxing is primarily seen as a combat sport. In contrast, Kung Fu is regarded as a martial art. The punching and kicking combinations you learn in kickboxing are mainly aimed at using pure physical power to disable your opponent. Gender, height, weight, and amount of muscle strength greatly influence kickboxing skills, and the focus is on the fight itself. In Kung Fu, the focus is very much on the internal aspect because Kung Fu was initially developed to keep your mind healthy. Skills such as discipline, self-control, and self-confidence are trained, and there is much attention to proper breathing and healthy posture. Because Kung Fu was developed for physically less strong people, gender, weight, height, and muscle strength do not have a direct positive influence on Kung Fu.

All in all, we can conclude that both sports are naturally good for your child’s health. Being active, interacting with other children, and learning a form of self-defense promote your child’s overall well-being. Which sport suits your child better? That is a matter of trying out. Therefore, KEI Kung Fu offers free trial lessons, where we introduce your child to Kung Fu in a playful way.

At KEI Kung Fu, we start from within and the focus is not only on the physical and external element

What is Kung Fu?

Kung Fu is an ancient martial art originating from China. Contrary to popular belief, Kung Fu was not developed by the monks in Shaolin. However, these monks did have a positive influence on it. For the monks, three pillars were always central to their way of life, and these three pillars still form the basis at KEI Kung Fu today: balance between mind, body, and spirit.

With the arrival of Chinese people in Europe, and of course through the fame of Bruce Lee and his teacher Yip Man, Kung Fu has become an inseparable part of the Western world. A popular style within Kung Fu is Wing Chun, characterized by short and fast movements. Legend has it that Mrs. Yim Wing Chun developed this style for physically less strong people. The style is suitable for everyone, regardless of age and gender. Learn to know and control your own body to defeat stronger opponents.

Development of life skills at KEI Kung Fu in Amsterdam

Children become more aware of their body and movements around the age of 6. Therefore, at KEI Kung Fu, we advise starting Kung Fu before this age, from 4 years old. In this way, we influence the unconscious of the child and create certain physical habits that, as the child grows older, become automatisms. We make them unconsciously competent.

It is important that young children (4 to 6 years) enjoy Kung Fu. Therefore, at the monkeys class, we focus on physically strengthening children in a playful way, unlike traditional Kung Fu. For older children (6 to 11 years), the focus is on other elements, as children of this age are capable of learning more complex movements. During the lessons, the focus is on the development of discipline, self-confidence, and improving verbal skills, among others.

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