If you look at a kickboxer in the ring before a fight, his lean physique and cut muscles may lead you to believe kickboxing is an effective weight-loss program. Although several aspects of kickboxing training can help in losing weight, you must support this training program with other lifestyle choices.
Kickboxing Training
When kickboxers train for a bout, they develop several physical and mental attributes. They do cardiovascular workouts to increase cardiovascular endurance. They engage in resistance workouts to build speed and endurance. They perform speed drills to develop their skills while simultaneously enduring a a combined cardio and resistance pump. Kickboxers also use road work--sessions of jogging or cycling between practices--for further cardiovascular development. Training this vigorously can certainly support but does not guarantee weight loss.
Weight Classes
Similar to other combat sports, kickboxing is divided into weight classes to keep competition safer and fair. Also like other combat sports, many kickboxers "cut weight"--fight below their natural body weight to gain a competitive advantage. This process combines kickboxing workouts and dedicated cardiovascular training with a carefully restricted diet to make certain the athlete is at a specific weight by fight time.
About Losing Weight
You lose weight by taking in fewer calories than you expend. When you eat more calories than you burn, your body stores the excess in your fat cells. This makes you gain weight. If you do the opposite, your body gets the extra energy it needs by accessing the energy stored in your fat. You burn fat and lose weight. The degree to which kickboxing training will make you lose weight is the degree to which it creates this negative calorie imbalance.
Bottom Line
Losing weight only happens if your calories out are greater than your calories in. If you engage in kickboxing exercises several times each week without changing your eating habits, you are likely to lose weight. If you celebrate each workout with a 1,500-calorie fast food stop, you might actually gain weight. Although kickboxing is likely to help with weight loss, it does not mean that you can eat anything you want and still lose weight. To be fair, however, you will be able to eat a lot more while on a kickboxing program than if you were not engaged in a vigorous sport.
References
- "You: Losing Weight"; Dr. Michael Roizen & Dr. Mehmet Oz; 2011
- HelpGuide.org: Healthy Weight Loss and Dieting Tips
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