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What is kickboxing?
Kickboxing was originally a Thai martial art that is commonly known as Muai Thai. It has been practiced in Thailand for many many generations and they are known as the masters of the art.
Kickboxing moved to America and the west probably with the popularization of martial arts which occurred with Bruce Lee, the Karate Kid, American Ninja and other martial art cult movies.
Kickboxing then exploded and changed and there are now hundreds of different off-shoot styles - some focusing on fighting, others focusing on exercise and cardio. Billy Blanks, for example, invented Tae Bo where you use the principles of Muay Thai and boxing to get an awesome weight loss workout.
The guy looks amazing.
So, with all this popularity and success it must be working right? Right.
Women and kickboxing
Women have only just started to get into kickboxing as the martial art has largely been seen as a male dominated arena. I have mentioned this before but many women in Australia and particularly in my city are getting into boxing and kickboxing. The classes are going mental; sometimes 40 - 80 women in a class with one instructor! They are loving it and for the first time it is the men who are feeling a little uneasy going to a fighting class.
Kickboxing to tone your legs and butt
I have been a martial artists for many years and I have always marveled at the ability of the art to transform a persons physical appearance. I see a newcomer arrive for his or her first trial lesson all soft and a bit fat and usually unable to keep up with the class’ pace. But, within less than a month that same newcomer is looking different. They are much harder, leaner and their muscles look more toned and generally more fit.
The other thing I notice about people who do a lot of martial arts is that they glow. It might be something to do with the fact that martial arts have a big focus on internal energies, but people always end up looking healthy and vibrant.
However, the main benefit and the reason you are all reading this post is that kickboxing is amazing for toning your legs and butt. Kickboxing is mainly focussed on striking with the legs; kneeing, kicking, jumping and so on. This means that your legs are involved in all sorts of movements that they aren’t usually used to and this means that they respond quickly.
The main benefits of kickboxing are:
•awesome fitness;
•increased strength;
•increased confidence through knowing self defense and working with people;
•toned arms;
•toned and firm legs;
•toned and firm butt muscles;
•faster weight loss;
•explosive power;
•better balance;
So, if you have been thinking about going to a kickboxing class but weren’t sure if it was all just hype - it isn’t. Go. At least try it. If you have been reading my blog for a while you might be doing a weekly group exercise session with your friends. A great idea for your first step is to book a weekend private class with five or six of your friends and get an introduction. This is a great way to ease into it all
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