The Lowdown on Cardio Kickboxing

So I've been singing the praises of this class of late, so I figured it was time to get some actual information on it to share with all of you who may be considering taking a class.  What I knew for a fact is that I had to be getting a great workout from this as by 15 minutes into the class, I am already breaking a sweat and by 45 minutes into it, my hair is soaked the whole way through and as I have thick hair, that is saying a lot!

I did a little internet research on the benefits of cardio kickboxing and found some good stuff to share.

Life 123 has this to say:

If you are looking for a high-intensity workout, cardio kickboxing might be the perfect form of exercise for you. Repetition, strength and flexibility are all hallmarks of this activity. According to a study published by the American Council on Exercise, cardio kickboxing practitioners can expect to burn an average of 350-450 calories per hour.

What does this mean for the exercise enthusiast? Simply put, cardio kickboxing can increase the rate at which you lose weight, keep your heart rate in the target zone for aerobic workouts, and meet your fitness goals without you having to pursue numerous forms of exercise. In fact, if you are overweight or out of shape, you might be able to burn 500-800 calories per hour.

And A Healthy Me stated this:

Although it may seem as if every new exercise trend is hailed as "a full-body workout," these classes can come pretty close. If you do the punches with precision and power, you'll strengthen your upper body and eventually see more muscle definition. The kicks will strengthen your legs, especially the hamstrings (the muscles that run down the backs of your thighs). And the kneeing move (a strike in which you thrust your bent knee upward) will firm your abdominal muscles; in fact, all of the moves, when done correctly, will make your torso into a solid base that lets you do everyday tasks more easily - whether you're hoisting a heavy box into your attic crawl space or shoving open a window that always sticks.

Your cardiovascular system will benefit, too, though how much depends on the class. Some teachers offer a truly aerobic workout -- they keep you bobbing, weaving, and jumping amidst the punches and kicks, so that your heart rate stays elevated for most of the session. Other teachers may not have you move around as much, focusing more on proper form. Either way, a good class will leave you drenched in sweat and energized.

And to think I used to hate to sweat.

The best thing about kickboxing, IMO, is that the moves can be done at your own pace.  A kick can be high or it can be low, depending on where you are in your cardio ability.  The majority of the moves can be modified to meet you where you are.  You are going to feel like a goober your first class if you have never kickboxed before.  We knew nothing walking into class that night, but we watched, listened, and imitated and now three weeks later, we can keep up with the instructors rather well.

I also love the fact that it keeps your body guessing.  Our bodies can fall trap into the same old workout routine.  They adapt to it and then the exercise fails to produce the results we want.  Changing things up keeps the body responding well and as every kickboxing class is different; different routines, done in different order etc, the body has no time to adapt and get bored....and neither do I for that matter.  My mind is always on high alert in class, wondering what is going to come next, especially in Jack McFarland's class.  Whew, can that guy work us! 

So there you go.  Give kickboxing a chance if you are at all intrigued.  I guarentee you will have a great workout!