7 Best-Selling Kickboxing Books Millions Trust

Discover kickboxing books authored by leading experts like Peter Cunningham and Pat O'Keeffe, offering best-selling, battle-tested guidance.

Updated on June 28, 2025
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There's something special about books that both critics and crowds love, especially in a sport as demanding as kickboxing. Millions have turned to proven training methods and expert advice to sharpen their skills, improve fitness, and prepare for competition. Kickboxing continues to grow in popularity worldwide, blending traditional martial arts with modern conditioning to deliver effective self-defense and sport techniques.

The books featured here come from authors with decades of firsthand experience in the ring and on the sidelines. Peter "Sugarfoot" Cunningham's championship legacy, Pat O'Keeffe's coaching expertise, and Justyn Billingham's deep martial arts knowledge provide readers with reliable, actionable instruction. Their works have stood the test of time, helping practitioners at all levels build solid foundations and advanced skills.

While these popular books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific kickboxing goals might consider creating a personalized Kickboxing book that combines these validated approaches with your unique background and objectives. This custom option blends the best strategies with your individual needs for more focused progress.

Best for mastering fundamental techniques
Peter Cunningham is a renowned kickboxing champion, having won 7 world titles. As an expert in muay thai, he provides guidance on how to think like a champion. His proven track record and deep understanding of the sport make this book a trusted resource for anyone wanting to develop solid kickboxing fundamentals.
1996·192 pages·Kickboxing, Martial Arts, Muay Thai, Striking Techniques, Footwork

Peter Cunningham's decades of championship experience shape this guide to fundamental kickboxing techniques. As a seven-time world titleholder and muay thai expert, Cunningham distills the essentials of the sport into clear instruction, covering stance, strikes, footwork, and defensive maneuvers. You gain practical insight into how elite fighters think and move, supported by detailed chapters that break down techniques like clinching and counterattacks. This book suits anyone serious about mastering kickboxing basics, from dedicated beginners to intermediate practitioners aiming to sharpen their foundation.

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Best for fight conditioning and sparring
Pat O'Keeffe is a world-renowned kickboxing trainer and champion with a career spanning decades, including competing against three World Champions and serving as British Head and Team Coach for the American kickboxing association K.I.C.K. His deep expertise and firsthand experience in the ring uniquely qualify him to guide you through the art and science of kickboxing. Drawing from his extensive fights and training, this book provides you with practical techniques and conditioning methods shaped by one of the sport's top practitioners.
2007·160 pages·Kickboxing, Conditioning, Sparring, Fighting Techniques, Defense

Pat O'Keeffe draws on his extensive career as a world-class kickboxing champion and coach to present a detailed guide for both newcomers and seasoned fighters. You’ll learn practical techniques covering defense, counter-attacks, timing, and mobility, all supported by clear step-by-step illustrations that break down complex movements. The book also delves into conditioning methods to build the speed and power essential for competition. Whether you’re stepping into your first ring or refining your sparring skills, this guide offers concrete insights grounded in decades of professional experience.

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Best for custom technique plans
This AI-created book on kickboxing is designed around your unique style and experience. You share your background, skill level, and specific challenges, then the book focuses on techniques proven effective and tailored just for you. This personalized approach ensures the content is relevant and practical, making your training more efficient and engaging. Instead of a one-size-fits-all guide, you get a focused resource that matches your goals and helps you progress confidently.
2025·50-300 pages·Kickboxing, Kickboxing Basics, Striking Techniques, Footwork Skills, Defensive Moves

This tailored kickboxing guide delves into battle-tested techniques personalized to your unique challenges and goals. It explores the fundamentals of striking, footwork, and defense while integrating proven methods adapted to your background and skill level. The book examines effective conditioning and sparring approaches that align with your style, offering a focused learning path that matches your interests and pace. By combining widely validated insights with your specific needs, it reveals a clear path toward mastering kickboxing techniques that resonate personally. This personalized approach makes your training experience both engaging and deeply relevant, enhancing skill development and confidence in the ring.

Tailored Handbook
Style Adaptation
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for flexibility and advanced kicking skills
Justyn Billingham brings over twenty years of martial arts expertise to this book, combining his experience in taekwon-do, karate, and kickboxing to provide a thorough guide for practitioners. Holding multiple dan grades and recognized for his knowledge in stretching and dynamic kicking, Billingham translates his tournament success and teaching into accessible instruction. His role as a monthly columnist for Martial Arts Illustrated further underscores his authority, making this book a reliable resource for anyone looking to develop their kickboxing skills.
2008·192 pages·Kickboxing, Martial Arts, Training, Flexibility, Stretching

Justyn Billingham's extensive martial arts background, spanning over two decades and multiple disciplines, fuels this book's practical approach to kickboxing training. You'll find detailed guidance on warming up safely, enhancing flexibility, and mastering basic to advanced techniques like punches and dynamic kicks. Particularly useful are the chapters on stretching methods, including achieving side and front splits, which set this book apart for serious practitioners. Whether your aim is casual training or progressing toward a black belt, this book offers clear instruction tailored to a wide range of skill levels, making it a solid choice for anyone invested in improving their kickboxing technique.

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Best for beginners preparing for amateur fights
Kick Boxing Basics offers a well-illustrated and methodical approach to mastering the essentials of kickboxing, making it a popular choice among those new to the sport. The book walks you through targeted exercises to build the muscle groups vital for powerful punches and kicks, alongside training techniques for stamina and breathing control. It also covers practical skills like jabs, uppercuts, and various kicks, coupled with ring tactics and guidance on finding the right equipment and training support. This guide serves as a solid foundation for anyone serious about stepping confidently into their first amateur fight and advancing their kickboxing journey.
Kick Boxing Basics book cover

by Joe Fox, Art Michaels·You?

1998·128 pages·Kickboxing, Physical Conditioning, Strength Training, Boxing Techniques, Kicking Techniques

Drawing from their extensive experience in martial arts training, Joe Fox and Art Michaels crafted this book as a thorough primer for anyone eager to enter the ring. You learn the physical conditioning essential for kickboxing, such as building muscle groups critical for punching and kicking, and mastering breathing techniques for endurance. The book details fundamental boxing and kicking moves, like jabs, uppercuts, roundhouse kicks, and footwork strategies, making it clear how each skill fits into a fight scenario. This guide benefits beginners aiming to prepare for their first amateur fight and those seeking structured, progressive training to improve strength, speed, and technique effectively.

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Best for newcomers building foundational skills
Karon Karter is a certified Aerobics and Fitness Association of America instructor and Pilates teacher with appearances on ESPN2 and in Fitness magazine. Her expertise in fitness and movement guided her co-authorship of this book, which aims to provide a clear, approachable introduction to kickboxing for newcomers. Drawing on her background, Karter structures the guide to help you develop skills progressively, making complex techniques accessible to those new to the sport.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Kickboxing book cover

by Karon Karter, Guy Mezger, Alpha Group··You?

2000·400 pages·Kickboxing, Training, Fitness, Self Defense, Competition Preparation

Drawing from her certification with the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and experience teaching Pilates on ESPN2, Karon Karter co-authored this introductory guide to kickboxing that breaks down the sport into accessible parts. You’ll learn about essential equipment, core techniques, and increasingly challenging training routines, alongside preparing for competitions and self-defense applications. The book’s chapters methodically cover everything from basic footwork to fitness conditioning, making it suitable for newcomers aiming to build foundational skills. If you’re looking for a clear, structured approach to start kickboxing without prior knowledge, this book offers practical insights without overwhelming jargon.

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Best for daily skill acceleration
This AI-created book on kickboxing training is designed specifically around your current skill level and personal goals. You share what areas of kickboxing you want to focus on, and the book is crafted to guide you through daily exercises that accelerate your progress. Personalization makes a big difference here because kickboxing skills develop best with practice that matches your unique needs and abilities. Instead of a one-size-fits-all manual, you get a focused plan that fits your interests and moves you toward your goals more efficiently.
2025·50-300 pages·Kickboxing, Kickboxing Basics, Striking Techniques, Footwork Drills, Conditioning Exercises

This tailored book explores a focused journey through rapid kickboxing skill development with daily exercises and drills designed specifically for your background and goals. It covers fundamental techniques, conditioning, and targeted drills that emphasize progression in a manageable 30-day plan. The personalized content matches your current experience level and interests, ensuring each chapter deepens your understanding and hones your practical abilities. By concentrating on what you want to improve most, this book fosters steady, measurable advancement in agility, power, and technique. Combining widely validated training practices with your unique focus areas, it reveals how to accelerate your kickboxing skills efficiently and enjoyably through tailored daily practice.

Tailored Manual
Targeted Skill Drills
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for advanced fight strategy and competition
Martina Sprague, a military historian and martial artist, brings a unique perspective to kickboxing with this extensive guide co-authored with veteran fighter Keith Livingston. Their combined expertise offers you a thorough exploration of kickboxing fundamentals and strategy, designed to help you progress from basics to competition-ready skills with clarity and depth.
2004·480 pages·Kickboxing, Martial Arts, Combat Sports, Fight Strategy, Sparring Techniques

What happens when a military historian teams up with a seasoned martial artist? Martina Sprague and Keith Livingston blend historical insight with hands-on expertise to map out kickboxing fundamentals and advanced techniques with precision. You learn everything from perfecting your stance and basic strikes to mastering complex moves like sweeps and jump kicks, all supported by over 1,000 photographs. The book also dives into fight strategy and mental preparation, making it useful whether you're aiming for competition or training seriously. If you want a detailed, methodical guide that covers both physical skills and fight psychology, this book has you covered, though casual readers might find its depth more than they need.

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Best for fitness professionals teaching kickboxing
Kickboxing Fitness offers a thorough approach to integrating kickboxing into fitness programs, developed in cooperation with the American Council on Exercise. This guide lays out clear guidelines to practice kickboxing safely while maximizing its benefits, making it a valuable resource for fitness professionals. It covers exercise science fundamentals, teaching methods, and workout programming, all illustrated with over 60 photographs to improve understanding. Whether you're introducing kickboxing classes or refining your current approach, this book addresses the needs of instructors aiming to deliver effective and safe kickboxing workouts.
2004·73 pages·Exercise, Kickboxing, Fitness Training, Class Programming, Injury Prevention

What happens when fitness expertise meets kickboxing? Tony Ordas and Tim Rochford, working with the American Council on Exercise, crafted this guide to help fitness professionals teach kickboxing safely and effectively. You’ll learn about the science behind kickboxing workouts, from aerobic benefits to kinesiology and injury prevention, along with practical advice on class setup, cueing, and intensity monitoring. Detailed chapters cover everything from equipment choices to program progression, supported by over 60 photographs that clarify techniques. If you’re involved in fitness instruction and want to add kickboxing with confidence and knowledge, this book offers a solid foundation without any fluff.

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Proven Kickboxing Methods, Personalized

Get expert-backed kickboxing strategies tailored to your skill level and goals without generic advice.

Customized training plans
Targeted skill improvement
Efficient learning path

Trusted by thousands of kickboxing enthusiasts worldwide

Kickboxing Mastery Blueprint
30-Day Kickboxing Accelerator
Strategic Kickboxing Foundations
Kickboxing Success Formula

Conclusion

The collection of kickboxing books presented here underlines three key themes: foundational technique mastery, physical conditioning, and strategic fight preparation. Whether you're taking your first steps into the ring or honing advanced skills, these books offer validated methods widely embraced by practitioners.

If you prefer proven methods, start with Peter "Sugarfoot" Cunningham's fundamental techniques and complement your training with Pat O'Keeffe's conditioning insights. For validated approaches to flexibility and advanced moves, Justyn Billingham's work pairs well with the comprehensive strategies in Complete Kickboxing.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Kickboxing book to combine proven methods with your unique needs. These widely-adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed in mastering kickboxing skills and preparing for competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with Peter "Sugarfoot" Cunningham's Civilized Warring for solid fundamentals. It builds a strong base before moving to conditioning or advanced tactics in other books.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Kickboxing?

Not at all. Titles like The Complete Idiot's Guide to Kickboxing and Kick Boxing Basics are designed for beginners to build skills progressively.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational books, then add conditioning guides like Kick Boxing by Pat O'Keeffe, and finally explore advanced strategy in Complete Kickboxing.

Should I start with the newest book or a classic?

Classics by experienced champions like Peter Cunningham offer timeless fundamentals. Newer books often add modern training insights, so a blend works well.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick based on your goals: beginners benefit from foundational guides, while fitness professionals might focus on Kickboxing Fitness. Each serves different needs.

How can a personalized Kickboxing book complement these expert guides?

Personalized books build on expert methods by tailoring training to your goals, skill level, and focus areas. They make proven strategies more relevant. Try creating your custom Kickboxing book.

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