Kickboxing – Fun and Fitness Combined

By Alyssa Dietris

If you are looking for a power packed workout that works on cardio and toning at the same time, kickboxing may be for you. A study released by the ACE, American Council on Exercise, stated that kickboxing can burn anywhere from 350 to 450 calories in an hour. It has also been proven to relieve stress, and help build confidence. It also helps to improve balance, flexibility, endurance, and coordination.

One form of kickboxing that has recently become popular is Cardio Kickboxing. This is usually taught in a class. This type of kickboxing does not involve physical contact with others. It is a combination of controlled punches and kicks usually performed to upbeat music. Some of the popular moves used in these classes are; the side kick, the front kick, and the roundhouse kick. Most of these classes start with a 10-15 minute warm-up, followed by a 30 minute kickboxing session, and ending with a 5 minute cool down and 10 minutes of stretching.

Things to Remember

Know your fitness level. This class may be a little challenging for a beginner, so do not try to rush. When you are starting out, concentrate on learning to perform all of the moves properly. You may also need to work on building your endurance; these classes are power packed and require a lot of energy. Do not be afraid to stop for a moment if you feel the need.

Do not overdo it.

If you push yourself too far too fast, you may end up with an injury. Allow yourself to be a beginner until you feel comfortable enough to move up.

Dress comfortably.

Loose, comfortable clothes that allow your arms and legs to move, work best. You want to avoid being too constricted because you will be moving in all directions very quickly.

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after class.

The great thing about kickboxing is that once you learn the moves, you can do them at home to your favorite music, and still have an amazing workout.

About the Author:
Alyssa is passionate about combining the aspects of sports and fitness into one. She feels that if you keep your workouts fresh and fun you will continue to work out. If you are looking for an intense home work out that has been used to train professional athletes she suggests trying out the Insanity Workout by Shaun T, or the P90X Workout