When Jean Claude Van Damme kicked his way into the silver screen in the 90s, health buffs took notice. His fighting style, which combined elements of kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Taekwondo was not only cinematically refreshing, it also looked like a great body workout. Soon enough, the fighting technique became a trend as enthusiasts began signing up for kickboxing classes. Sydney fitness centres hold regular kickboxing classes for clients who continuously rave over its many benefits.
What To Expect
A cardiovascular kickboxing class is a total body workout, involving high-impact movements like boxing jabs, martial art kicks, and aerobic steps. It often starts with a 15-minute warm-up, followed by a half-hour of punches, sidekicks, and knee strikes, before the cool down.
Kickboxing enthusiasts rave over its many benefits; here are some of them:
• Kickboxing is a total body workout that increases strength and stamina, and improves muscle tone and flexibility.
• Kickboxing burns calories; an hour-long class can burn 350 to 450 calories.
• Kickboxing relieves stress. A great stress-buster is getting into some punching and kicking in a controlled environment.
• Kickboxing empowers as it teaches basic self-defence moves.
Get Started
Want to get into the action? Here are some things to consider:
• Check your fitness level. If you’ve been sedentary all your life, kickboxing shouldn’t be your first foray into fitness as it is a high-intensity workout. Consult your doctor.
• Check your comfort level. There are different types of classes; some of which involve sparring. Observe a class before signing up.
• Wear the proper attire. Your clothes should be comfortable but not baggy; you might trip over the moves.
• Check in with your instructor. At the start of class, inform him of your newbie stature; he may modify some movements to ease you in. During class, take note of the proper form. Clarify any movements and ask for pointers.
• Warm up before going into the moves. To avoid injury ensure your muscles are warm before you start kicking.
• Tread lightly. This is your first class so pace yourself. If your kicks are not as strong as the others’, it’s okay. This is not a contest.
• Take breaks occasionally. It’s okay to step out if you feel tired. Take this time to look at their moves. Towel off. Drink water. And then get right back into it.
• Cool down.
Your weights exercises and treadmill routine may begin to feel monotonous by now. Or you may feel like you have reached an exercise plateau. Break your routine and get leaner abs with kickboxing classes. Sydney fitness centres offer plenty of classes at various times to fit in your tight work schedule.
