What are the benefits of kickboxing?

Kickboxing is a sport. It has a few benifits such as fittness and sportsmanship. Other than that? Honestly most "kickboxing" schools teach a mix of Tae Kwon Do and some style of Karate, or boxing. It is taught with the "ring" in mind. If you want to compete, it will teach you every thing you need to know, now if PKA where still around, lol. If you want to learn how to protect yourself in a real world situation, join a traditional cl that isn't sport oriented. The style isn't as important as as finding a good instructor and how you apply yourself to the learning and practice.