Kick-start your fitness: Why boxing is great for women
What is Kick-boxing?
Kick-boxing is a form of martial arts. Actually developed in the 1950’s, it is a blend of Karate and Muay Thai. It’s a sport that involves kicking and punching. It’s a standing sport, unlike some martial arts like Jiujutsu which also involves wrestling. Kick-boxing was originated as a form of self defense but it’s such a great program it’s been adopted as a fitness program and a competitive sport.
Why Kick-boxing Is Great For Women.
Kick-boxing is an exhausting sport to say the very least. In addition to a great cardio workout, you’re also working your arm, leg, core and gluteus muscles. And you’ll work them until they burn. So it’s a great combination of strength training and cardiovascular exercise. Additionally, because range of motion is important for form, you’ll also become more flexible.
Kick-boxing is also a wonderful emotional release. It takes great focus to strike and kick and complete the exercises and motions correctly. And when your foot or hand strike the punching bag or pad, it feels great. And despite what you might imagine, women’s kick-boxing classes are generally extremely friendly, supportive and can be a nice social outlet.
Kick-boxing is a super fat burning workout. Fat burning happens when calories are burned. And kick-boxing burns a lot of calories – 545 per hour. Additionally, you build muscle during kick-boxing and a pound of muscle burns more calories than a pound of fat.
How to Get Started Kick-boxing
Kick-boxing in general is a low gear sport. You’ll need gloves for your hands and some padded shin guards. Other than that, you need to wear loose fitting comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting sweaty. They should allow for movement. Shorts and a tank top with a sports bra underneath are great. Some kick-boxing gyms require you to wear kick-boxing shorts.
When looking for a kick-boxing class there are two general ways to go. You can take an aerobic kick-boxing course at your local gym or fitness center. These are generally very aerobically focused and you will probably not focus on form. It’ll have the look and feel of an aerobics class with punching bags. Complete with the dance track in the background. The instructor will likely have a headset on to call out the movements and combinations.
Other kick-boxing classes are more form focused. You’ll find these classes at a martial arts specific or kick-boxing specific gym. The instructor will probably have a long lineage of instruction and accreditation.
Many gyms offer a free class before you sign up. This is recommended. It’s always smart to check out a gym and a class before you buy the gear and fork over a membership.
Kick-boxing is a great exercise and it can surely relieve you from fitness boredom. If you’ve ever been curious about the sport, check it out. It’s fun and it’s a truly tough workout.