Why Kickboxing is great for women

If you’re bored with your workout routine or you’re looking for a fitness program that really kicks your rear, consider kickboxing. Kickboxing is a fantastic sport for everyone but it’s particularly great for women. Here’s why.

What is Kickboxing?
Kickboxing 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. Kickboxing 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 Kickboxing Is Great For Women.
Kickboxing 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.

Kickboxing 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 kickboxing classes are generally extremely friendly, supportive and can be a nice social outlet.

Kickboxing is a super fat burning workout. Fat burning happens when calories are burned. And kickboxing burns a lot of calories – 545 per hour. Additionally, you build muscle during kickboxing and a pound of muscle burns more calories than a pound of fat.

How to Get Started with Kickboxing
Kickboxing 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 kickboxing gyms require you to wear kickboxing shorts.

When looking for a kickboxing class there are two general ways to go. You can take an aerobic kickboxing 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 kickboxing classes are more form focused. You’ll find these classes at a martial arts specific or kickboxing 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.

Kickboxing 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.