Pros and Cons of Kickboxing for Fitness

R. Bourne, Ph.D.
You may have heard about kickboxing. You may even have seen some kickboxing competitions on your TV. But do you know that you can use kickboxing to improve your fitness. Yes, there is a form of kickboxing for people looking for fitness. It is called cardio kickboxing or aerobic kickboxing. The basic idea of cardiovascular kickboxing is to improve your fitness level by following a routine that includes many elements of martial arts, boxing, and aerobics.

What are the Pros of kickboxing?

Cardiovascular kickboxing is an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise. You can burn up to 400 calories per hour with this fitness workout. This is great if you are looking to increase your calories expenditure for weight loss purposes. Calories are burnt as you kick, box, an move to the tunes of your favorite dance music.

Aerobic kickboxing is an excellent way to relieve stress. Stress can be successfully reduced after an hour of punching and kicking. Many cardiovascular kickboxing routines include kicking and boxing with a punching bag, which allows you to alleviate any type of rage you may experience at any time. After a while of practicing this workout routines your self-control will increase significantly.

Practicing regularly cardio kickboxing will increase your stamina and physical strength. Also, it will improve your reflexes and body balance. Coordination, balance and strength will get to the fullest as you practice the moves and routines of aerobic kickboxing.

Are there any cons of cardio kickboxing?

This form of fitness may result in injuries if moves are not performed well. Always practice kickboxing under the guidance of a certified cardio kickboxing trainer to avoid unnecessary injuries. Go easy or slowly as you start the moves so you can comprehend them completely and perform them safely.

People who have been inactive for long periods of time should be aware that this workout is of a high intensity. Thus, you should always ask your doctor if you can do it or even with doctors approval go easy on the for the first few session and possibly do not do the full work out the first few days. You may not be prepared for the high intense workouts of this fitness method.

There are positives and negatives aspects of cardio kickboxing as a method to improve your fitness level. To fully understand aerobic kickboxing you should be able to evaluate the Pros and Cons of this fitness workout. There are many positives in terms of fitness and health. You will burn calories (up to 400!! Per hour), improve body strength and balance, reduce stress, and increase fitness. The possibility of injuries and the high intensity of the routines may be a negative aspect of the sport if moves are done improperly or by a novice.

Sources:

Fighting for Fitness. Kick and punch your way to a better body :

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/fighting-for-fitness

Romaine LJ, Davis SE, Casebolt K, Harrison KA 2003. Incidence of injury in kickboxing participation. J Strength Cond Res. 2003 Aug;17(3):580-6.

Published by R. Bourne, Ph.D.

Ph.D. Food and Nutrition. MBA. R. Bourne writes mainly about Health and Wellness, Alternative Medicine and Healing, Nutrition, Dieting and Food Science and Technology. He has been writing online content...  View profile

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