Thanks to Jean Claude Van Damme, kickboxing gained a bit of the spotlight back in the late 80s and early 90s. If you’ve seen any of his movies, I’m sure you remember his overly dramatic faces and the many, many times he did the splits. We can assure you that there is more to kickboxing than the dramatized versions you saw in those movies, and that it’s actually an excellent form of exercise that would be suited to most ages and fitness levels.
Taking that first step towards getting into shape can be a daunting one, and there are so many people offering their opinions on the best way. What works for one, may not work for you, so it’s a good idea to do some research about the different options out there. We’re here to give you some insight on why you should give kickboxing a try.
Cardio is Hardio
Cardio is what gets the blood pumping and the sweat pouring, and when you’re done you may feel like you want to die. It’s great for those looking to burn calories for weight loss, increase their stamina, and improve their heart health. Most people hate cardio and consider it to be punishment by their trainer in their fight for physical fitness. But it doesn’t have to be a punishment, you can get your cardio from places other than the usual treadmill. With the jabs, kicks, and constant movement required for kickboxing or cardio kickboxing, you’ll be getting your cardio in without even realizing it.
In the ever changing world of physical fitness, there’s always something new coming out that shows promise. One of these such things is high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which is short bouts of extremely vigorous bouts of activity. Even short bursts of activity as little as 1 minute have been foundto have the same health benefits as longer workouts. Since kickboxing training is often comprised of short bouts, usually two to three minutes long, of hitting, punching, and kicking, you would see the same benefits touted by the HIIT movement.
Wealth of Benefits
During a study of healthy men in their 20s, kickboxing was found to improve their upper and lower body power by as much as 7% while also improving their speed and time in a 50-meter dash. There have even been studies that show kickboxing training for those with multiple sclerosis improves balance and strengthens their neuromuscular control. Older adults could see these benefits as well which could help prevent falls and fight off the progression of muscle weakness.
Think about that. One form of exercise has the ability to improve your fitness level, your power, your flexibility, and your agility at all ages. No matter what your fitness level may be, no matter what your age is, you could reap the benefits that kickboxing has to offer. At Khurana Kickboxing, we have group exercise training classes and the first class is free! You no longer have an excuse when it comes to determining whether or not kickboxing is right for you. Come in anytime and let us show you the benefits kickboxing could have for you!
