Thinking about getting back into kickboxing - your advice & thoughts

6 years ago I started my journey into Dutch Kickboxing (basically muy thai) at a local MMA Training Gym. I was going to classes 4 times a week and I thought I was getting pretty darn good at it. I was keeping in shape and actually dropped down to 190 pounds. I was learning techniques, sparring with highly evolved fighters and getting my ass kicked on a regular basis during training. I loved every minute of it!

2 years ago I noticed my knee started popping in and out of place. So I started wearing elastic knee braces everywhere I went, even to my kickboxing classes. The pain was bearable and then one day I woke up, stood on my left knee and “POP!” my knee went out of place, but this time I wasn’t able to pop it back in.

With my knee messed up, I called my bother who took me to the hospital. They referred me to a knee specialist and he said I blew my knee out and had to have surgery on it. I explained to the doctor that I was a wrestler my entire life and that I loved to do kickboxing. He said that wrestling at a young age for so many years, really does damage to your knees and that kickboxing is even worst considering the amount of torque you put on your knees when throwing kicks and even receiving kicks to your knees.

I thought about it, talked to my fiance and said that it’s best that I just don’t do Kickboxing anymore. I went on with the surgery. After my knee healed up I went to rehab to build up the strength in my knees. Since the injury I’ve gained over 40 lbs and I haven’t been as mobile as I use to.

Last night I went into the garage and my punching bag was just staring at me. Hanging from the ceiling with duct tape wrapped around the upper portion of the bag, so the fittings don’t fall out. It was just dangling and slowly swaying back in forth. I thought about how much I missed Kickboxing and how I just wanted to go over there, turn my radio and start throwing some combos on the bag… then I just looked down at my knee, turned around and went inside.

When I woke up today, I couldn’t get the thought of Kickboxing out of my mind. So after I left the house to go to work, I noticed a billboard on the side of the road and it said “you can do this.” Even though the billboard was for people with drug problems, I thought it was a sign from God stating that I could get back into kickboxing if I really wanted to. Even if I don’t go and train at the gym, I can still just work what I’ve learned at the comfort of my own home.

So what do you think? Is it worth it? Should I give it one more shot?

Why not try regular boxing, so you don’t have to use your knees (to throw kicks)? Did the doc ever tell what happened?, I mean exactly how you busted your knee.

I remember the fantastic days when I was a proud member of shor chan a kickboxing school, every training session made me feel amazing! I sadly gave it up due to to many other commitments, I loved it and wish I never, kickboxing is an amazing sport, far superior to boxing and far more technical in my opinion, the discipline I learnt was something that stayed with me to this day. I recommend this sport to anyone, but unfortunately in your case I think your health is more important and I wouldn’t risk a lifetime with a bust knee just to take up the sport again, what if you had kids with your fiancé and they want to have a kick about in the park at soccer and you were in too much pain to do so? you would feel more hurt by that, than any kicking you can take in the ring!

I only think like this now as I have kids and they are my first thought for everything, I could not imagine not being able to run and play with my kids.

I think if your knee was 100% then by all means it would be brill if you took up the sport again, but perhaps think long term and if you think it’s what you really want to do then it’s your choice!

I wish you good luck and good health in whatever your decision is.

SinestesiaDesign said
Why not try regular boxing, so you don’t have to use your knees (to throw kicks)? Did the doc ever tell what happened?, I mean exactly how you busted your knee.

We never talked about to be honest with you, but I have thought about it.

Most people don’t know this, but when you throw a punch it comes from your hips, which in return puts some stress on your knees.

So I still think just regular boxing could put me at risk, and I just haven’t made my mind up yet if I want to take that risk yet.

expressivemedia said
I remember the fantastic days when I was a proud member of shor chan a kickboxing school, every training session made me feel amazing! I sadly gave it up due to to many other commitments, I loved it and wish I never, kickboxing is an amazing sport, far superior to boxing and far more technical in my opinion, the discipline I learnt was something that stayed with me to this day. I recommend this sport to anyone, but unfortunately in your case I think your health is more important and I wouldn’t risk a lifetime with a bust knee just to take up the sport again, what if you had kids with your fiancé and they want to have a kick about in the park at soccer and you were in too much pain to do so? you would feel more hurt by that, than any kicking you can take in the ring!

I only think like this now as I have kids and they are my first thought for everything, I could not imagine not being able to run and play with my kids.

I think if your knee was 100% then by all means it would be brill if you took up the sport again, but perhaps think long term and if you think it’s what you really want to do then it’s your choice!

I wish you good luck and good health in whatever your decision is.

Thanks EM, I appreciate the response here.

Glad to know that you were into kickboxing as well. It’s a great sport and it really helped me get my stress and anger out.

And I do have a 8 month old son right now, which is one of the reasons why I’m a bit hesitant to get back into it, but I really want to get back into shape and cardio is the main source of losing weight for me. I can’t run because of my knee, but perhaps I can stand in the same place and move around and throw some punches to help me get back into shape. I just want to feel like my old self again.

I think that I could get back into it and maybe not go as hard as I use to. You made a valid point though. Perhaps it’s best to be able to play sports with my son when he gets older. Instead of going “sorry son, I’m not able to play with you today.”

I just really don’t know what to do. I’m getting teary eyed just thinking about it.

Mate my advice is dont do it! i was doing taekwondo and muai thai for more 12 years and now my kness are messed up! I did an operation on one but still have some issues with thw wether changes! Not to mention my shoulders too! I saw that is no point to put your helth at a risk for a passion! but i found another way to work out with wing tsun doesnt need strength or so much effort to do it and it helps you to relax and concentrate more easy!

Hope this helps

Hotpin said
Mate my advice is dont do it! i was doing taekwondo and muai thai for more 12 years and now my kness are messed up! I did an operation on one but still have some issues with thw wether changes! Not to mention my shoulders too! I saw that is no point to put your helth at a risk for a passion! but i found another way to work out with wing tsun doesnt need strength or so much effort to do it and it helps you to relax and concentrate more easy! Hope this helps

Thanks Hotpin! That is great advice. I really want to get back into the groove of kickboxing again. Maybe not competitive like I was doing previously, but just to do it for an hour a night on the punching bag. I just don’t want to mess my knee up again.