If you want to learn martial arts as an engaging way to lose weight, karate and kickboxing are two of the better choices. They're not necessarily the best martial arts available for this purpose, but they are two of the most readily available in most American communities. Determining which one is best for weight loss depends on several factors.
Workout Structure
Both karate and kickboxing sessions follow similar structures, each progressing through warm-ups, instruction, skills building and conditioning sparring drills. In general, kickboxing focuses more on physical conditioning and skills building, while karate focuses on intellectual understanding of the principals behind a technique. A kickboxing workout may be more rigorous and burn more calories than a karate class.
Culture
Although karate students tend to be health-oriented, karate is a lifestyle and combat art. Student learn self-defense, self-control and personal confidence. Kickboxing is a combat sport, with a culture of fitness, including attention to weight classes and weight loss. From a purely weight-loss standpoint, this can mean kickboxing is a superior choice.
Support Activities
Because it's a competitive sport, kickboxing teams often encourage their participants to pay strict attention to outside workouts and nutrition along with their training during class sessions. While it's also true that many modern karate schools do the same, this encouragement is usually more intense in kickboxing circles than with karate.
Violence
You can't lose weight in a martial arts class if you're recovering on the sidelines. Although exceptions exist, kickboxing tends to be more violent than karate. In a karate class, you will receive the occasional ding, but it's usually an accident. Kickboxing training involves being hit, on purpose, by people who know how. In addition to the risk of injury, this level of intensity may make kickboxing less enjoyable for some -- meaning you'll skip class more often.
Exceptions
Martial arts programs are not uniform. You will find intensely competitive and physical karate schools and kickboxing schools that are more laid back and focused on internal considerations. In the end, your best tool for choosing which art to use for weight loss is to try an introductory class in both kinds of programs in your local area.
References
- "GURPS Martial Arts"; Peter Dell'Orto, et al.; 2007
- "The Art of Expressing the Human Body"; Bruce Lee; 1998
- "You: Losing Weight"; Michael F. Roizen, et al.; 2011
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