Kickboxing vs boxing
Kickboxing vs boxing: which is right for you?
Boxing is all hands: punches, footwork and head movement. Kickboxing keeps every punch and adds kicks and knees. Our kickboxing program blends Western and Filipino-style boxing, so you get the best of both.
In short
How they compare
More ways to strike
Boxing uses two fists. Kickboxing adds kicks and knees, so you learn to strike, and defend, at more ranges.
The workout
Both are serious cardio. Kickboxing works your legs, hips and core harder, because every kick is a full-body move.
Self-defence
Boxing builds fast hands and footwork. Kickboxing adds kicks to keep someone at a distance and knees for when they’re close.
Boxing, built in
Our kickboxing blends Western boxing and Filipino-style boxing with the kicks, so boxers feel at home from the first class.
Side by side
Boxing and kickboxing compared
| Boxing | Kickboxing at Safeguard | |
|---|---|---|
| What you throw | Punches only | Punches, kicks and knees |
| Range | Punching range | Kicking range, punching range and knees up close |
| Defence | Slips, rolls, blocks and footwork | All of boxing’s, plus defending kicks |
| The workout | Shoulders, arms, footwork and cardio | The whole body: legs, hips, core and cardio |
| Gear | Gloves and hand wraps | Gloves and shin guards (yours to keep on 6- and 12-month plans) |
Choosing
Which one should you pick?
Choose boxing if…
you only want to use your hands, or you plan to compete in boxing.
Choose kickboxing if…
you want the whole-body workout, more ways to defend yourself and the variety that keeps classes fun. You still get the boxing.
Try a week free
Your first week of kickboxing is free, with unlimited classes. Teens 13 and up train with the adults in the evenings; kids 8 to 12 have Youth Kickboxing. New to it all? Read kickboxing for beginners.
Classes
Kickboxing at Safeguard
Kickboxing · ages 13 and up
Teen & Adult Kickboxing
A full-body evening workout with real technique. Complete beginners welcome.
Free 1-week trialClasses & prices
Kickboxing · ages 8 to 12
Youth Kickboxing
Pads, footwork and fast hands: a high-energy class that builds fitness and confidence.
Free 1-week trialClasses & prices
Reviews
From Safeguard families and students
5.0 from 76 reviews on Google
Read them all on Google★★★★★
I have been attending the kickboxing class offered to teens and adults for about 5 months now after taking the free trial, and the experience has been fantastic. The instructors are incredibly knowledgeable and have created a learning environment that is welcoming to both beginners and more experienced athletes. Additionally, the monthly fee is incredibly reasonable.
Marcus R. · January 2023
Questions
What people ask us
Is kickboxing or boxing better for fitness?
Both are excellent. Kickboxing uses more of your body, legs and hips included, so many people find it the tougher all-round workout. Boxing gives your shoulders, arms and footwork a hard time.
Is kickboxing or boxing better for self-defence?
Kickboxing gives you more tools: punches, kicks to keep someone at a distance and knees up close. Boxing gives you fast hands and good footwork. The best one is the one you keep doing.
Will I learn real boxing in a kickboxing class?
Yes. Our kickboxing program blends Western boxing and Filipino-style boxing: a proper stance, footwork, the jab, cross, hook and uppercut, and defence like slipping and rolling. Then we add the kicks.
Do you have separate boxing classes?
No. Boxing is built into every kickboxing class, so you get the boxing and the kicks for one price: from $179 a month, with the first week free.
Do I have to spar?
No. Classes are built around shadowboxing, bags, pads and drills. Partner work is controlled, supervised and never forced.
Do you teach MMA?
No. We teach kickboxing and karate, with no ground fighting. If you want striking without the wrestling, you’re in the right place.
Book your trial
Try a full week of unlimited classes for free.
Pick a time below to book it in Gymdesk, our booking system. You’ll get a confirmation by email. After the trial, Teen & Adult Kickboxing is from $179 a month.