Kickboxing for Fun and Fitness: Cardio that isn’t miserable.
One of the reasons that so many people fall off the fitness wagon is because motivation, for most people, is not a renewable resource.
In general, motivation spikes when someone starts a workout regimen, and then slowly tapers off as the workout becomes stale.
This is particularly problematic with workouts like running and weightlifting—they are individual pursuits, which means you have to rely on yourself and your intrinsic motivation to get you through every workout.
Let’s face it—sometimes the couch looks much more inviting than a run in the freezing rain. Everyone has been there. If you want to become fit, then the way forward is to find something that is a fun workout—ideally something in a group setting.
People are pack animals, after all; it’s much easier to find motivation in a group setting than by yourself.
That’s where kickboxing comes in! Cardio kickboxing came into fashion sometime in the early 2000s, but today’s cardio kickboxing often has little in common with Tae Bo.
Walk into any kickboxing gym and ask about classes tailored specifically for fitness, and you’re liable to find some excellent classes that teach good technique with minimal contact.
The option to begin contact sparring is always available if that’s a route you choose to take in the future. However, most reputable gyms won’t allow complete beginners to spar with each other. Most cardio kickboxing classes won’t involve sparring at all.
How To Choose The Right Kickboxing Academy For You
Choosing a gym that is right for your needs is the first step. There are all kinds of great online resources that will provide you with information about local gyms that offer kickboxing programs.
Look for an Academy that has an environment that suits your personality and your needs.
If you want full-contact sparring, then you should be looking for a more traditional kickboxing class. If you’re interested in the cardio and fitness aspect of kickboxing, you should be looking for an instructor who teaches classes that are mostly bag work, shadow boxing, and conditioning.
Resources like Facebook are excellent for discovering what is available in your community.
It’s always a good idea to give the gym or instructor a call before going in—the instructor can give you a better idea of what you need to bring and what you should expect from your first class.
Who Would Benefit From Kickboxing Classes?
Kickboxing is great at every age. There is almost no barrier to entry, and very little equipment is required, which is great for the beginner who isn’t sure if this is the type of workout they are interested in.
A good beginners class should be limited contact. They should focus on developing solid technique and provide students with a great workout rather than preparing them to be great fighters.
There are few workouts that are as strenuous as a difficult boxing or kickboxing session. Kickboxing works your muscles and your cardiovascular health.
It may look easy, but after an hour of shadow boxing and bag work, it becomes increasingly difficult to even keep your hands up. The amount of core work that goes into every punch and kick will have beginners sore for days.
If it’s so difficult, then, why kickboxing?
Kickboxing is an excellent way to get a challenging, full-body workout in a fun group environment. The group setting will keep you motivated, and the varied nature of the workouts will keep you coming back time and again.
That’s the best thing about doing martial arts for fitness—there are always variations in the workouts, and the group setting is perfect for keeping you motivated to avoid that fitness slump. Who knows—you may enjoy it more than you think!
The Essential Kickboxing Tool Kit
If you are interested in learning kickboxing in Plymouth then I would highly recommend accessing our Free Essential Kickboxing Tool Kit, that includes:
- Free Essential Striking Course – Video & Email course that will teach you the basics of Kickboxing.
- Free Trial – You can try out our kickboxing classes for Free to see if our academy is right for you.
- Free Tour & Consultation – You can look around our Academy and find out if we can help you achieve your goals
- Free T Shirt – You’ll receive a Free T-Shirt so you have something comfortable to train in.
To get access to the Free Essential Kickboxing Tool Kit at https://martialartsplymouth.co.uk/start/kickboxing-lp/