I Heart (real) Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Boxing

I Heart (real) Kickboxing

So let me preface this by saying that I am in no way taking a dig at the gyms that are popping up now by this same name.  I have never stepped into an "I Heart Kickboxing" gym, and I make it a rule not to pass judgment on things that I don't know anything about.  That being said, this post IS, in part, about those who try and teach something they know little to nothing about.
Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Boxing are fantastic ways to get a good workout in.  I know quite a few people who have zero desire to fight, and so they instead use (kickboxing, boxing and Muay Thai) for their cardio workouts.  This is a fantastic way to stay in shape, BUT, as with anything else in the fitness industry, doing it right will always elicit better results than doing it sloppy.  My issue with most "cardio-kickboxing" or "cardio boxing" classes is that there is a tendency to dummy down the techniques because either the instructor doesn't know what he/she is doing, or they feel the pressure to keep people moving and sweating for the entire class.  I call this second method "busy work fitness", basically the thought process here is to run you ragged for an hour with zero rhyme or reason, and so long as you leave sweaty, mission accomplished!  Well I'm here to tell you that you can accomplish both a technical class and one that is going to leave everyone feeling thoroughly smoked.  In fact, when done correctly you can accomplish, in just a few rounds, what it would take a "busy work fitness cardio kickboxing" class a full hour to do.  Here are just a few of the benefits to a good, technical Kickboxing, Muay Thai or Boxing class:

1.) Increased Cardio Vascular Conditioning
2.) Increased Core Strength
3.) Weight Loss
4.) Increased Hip Mobility and Flexibility
5.) Increased Agility and Hand Eye Coordination
6.) Increased Mental Toughness and Fortitude
7.) Increased Self Confidence and Awareness
8.) Knowing How to ACTUALLY Throw Punches, Kicks, and Knees With Skill and Proficiency
9.) A Greater Understanding of "The Fight Game"
10.) Mood and Mindset Improvement