With so many consumers clamoring to take part in this activity, program directors are faced with the difficulty of accommodating a wide range of levels and abilities. “As a fitness professional, it is really exciting to see that [Kick, Jab n' Jam] is drawing people who normally wouldn’t even be exercising into an exercise environment,” says Gove. However, she cautions against marketing intensive kickboxing classes to a sedentary population. “It doesn’t seem to matter how [many times] we say: ‘According to your level, pick level one, two or three.’ Everyone wants to go to level three.” Norris suggests tailoring classes so that fitness participants of all ages and levels can experience the benefits of mainstream martial arts. “Kickboxing classes can take on many different styles [and] … can be tailored to suit specific markets,” she says. As with any exercise class, program directors should consider variations in intensity, complexity and style.

When designing classes, fitness professionals should be wary about closely modeling their programs after the Tae-Bo exercise videos. Rather, they should tailor classes for the average recreational exerciser. The reason is that Tae Bo is more of a martial-arts-based program. But “the reason people are taking these classes is primarily for the workout as opposed to learning … to defend or compete,” says Norris. Therefore, she advises program directors to focus on the purpose of fitness martial arts versus traditional martial arts. “The purpose is different, therefore, the practice must be modified,” Norris explains.

Michele Olson, associate professor of health and physical education at Auburn University, Montgomery, Ala., agrees that recreational martial-arts programs should be developed with fitness clientele in mind. “In the fitness center… martial arts movements simply serve as another vehicle for fitness development and should be modified appropriately,” says Olson.

She recommends using moderate music speed and pace, avoiding highly complex or repetitious activities, and teaching movement modifications such as low kicks. “Many fitness participants are highly fit in terms of their aerobic capacity,” explains Olson. “However, any new sport, fitness activity or novel movement takes time to acquire.”

Norris likens this process to the explosion of step a decade ago. “We started slowly, progressed gradually … increased our strength and skill as instructors, and brought our participants along at an appropriate pace.” As with any specialty class, there should be guidelines for speed, alignment and appropriate combinations. “Standards must be set … so there is continuity in education and consistency in the level of instruction that is acceptable,” says Norris. “Club managers are ultimately responsible for providing these minimum standards.”