Kickboxing became popular in the United States during the 1970s. At that time, the sport was for elite martial artists who wanted to test their skills in a ring. Today, martial artists still compete in kickboxing bouts. However, everyday athletes are also getting in on the action. You can take a kickboxing class at a martial arts studio or you can take a cardio kickboxing class at your local gym. No matter what type of kickboxing you choose, there are several benefits you can reap from this sport.
Self-Defense
Kickboxing classes can teach you several techniques that can help you protect yourself. You learn jabs, hook punches, front kicks and roundhouse kicks that you can use on attackers if necessary. You can also practice these techniques on a heavy bag to get an idea of their effectiveness. Kickboxing also teaches you how to keep your hands up and protect yourself from incoming blows.
Cardio
Whether you fight in a ring or take a kickboxing class at your local gym, this sport can give you a good cardio workout. When you participate in kickboxing, you constantly kick and punch. All this movement increases your heart rate and benefits your cardiovascular system. If you train to be a kickboxer, you also frequently perform cardio exercises like jogging and jumping rope.
Strength
Competitive kickboxers do strength exercises like weight lifting in order to improve the power of their punches and kicks. Kickboxing classes also include strength exercises like push-ups and crunches. Because kickboxing is a total-body workout, it can help you tone and build muscles in your upper and lower body.
Flexibility
Kickboxing requires its practitioners to perform various high kicks. Many of these kicks are aimed above waist level. If you want to consistently kick above the waist, then you need to be flexible. Kickboxing classes typically include several stretches in their warm up periods in order to help you avoid pulled muscles.
Coordination
In order to be a proficient kickboxer, you need to be nimble on your feet. Kickboxers consistently shuffle, sidestep and switch feet throughout their matches. You need to be able to coordinate this footwork with your kicks and punches. Kickboxing footwork can improve your coordination as you walk around in your daily life.
Balance
Many exercises are performed with your two feet planted firmly on the ground. That is not always the case when you participate in kickboxing. This sport's kicking techniques require you to stand on one foot much of the time. You need to develop good balance to be a kickboxer or else you may spend a lot of time on your gluteus maximus.
Weight Loss
If you want to lose weight, then kickboxing may be the right workout for you. Practicing several kicks and punches in a row can burn a lot of calories. According to the American Council on Exercise, you can burn an average of 500 to 800 calories per hour in a cardio kickboxing class.
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