Self defense and discipline are probably some of the top reasons why people, men and women alike, opt to learn martial arts or the art of warfare, as the ancient Greeks refer to these codified fighting arts. A lot of us are aware that there are different varieties of martial arts that are still currently practiced all over the globe. Martial arts are considered as both an art and a science. Many arts are also practiced competitively, most commonly as combat sports, but may also take the form of dance. It might be confusing to choose which type of martial arts would best suit you. Well, if you’re gearing to be an expert or merely wanted to be fit and increase your stamina and flexibility, why not try to learn kickboxing?

You may ask why learn kickboxing when there are countless martial arts out there? Well, simply because aside from keeping your body fit and helping you gain the hard earned discipline that most martial artists strive for, kickboxing can give you a lot more benefits. Studies show that you can burn anywhere from 350 to 450 calories an hour with kickboxing! Isn’t that amazing? It’s totally great to learn kickboxing, not just for martial arts junkies but for fitness buffs as well. And if your work is driving you crazy and you feel like you badly need to de-stress, else you’ll go nuts; then learn kickboxing to relieve stress. It surely is a unique of avoiding burn out or being stressed out. And how does kickboxing reduce stress? Apparently, since it’s a rigorous workout, controlled punching and movements carried out with the discipline and skills required for martial arts; it can definitely do wonders for feelings of frustration and anger. Practicing kickboxing moves also help to improve balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. Kickboxing is also a great way to get a total body workout while learning simple self-defense moves. People who learn kickboxing say the sport helps them to feel more empowered and confident. It’s truly great to feel good about yourself while learning self defense skills at the same time.

There are several types of kickboxing, and might as well know some facts about this martial arts technique if you’re planning to learn kickboxing. Currently, one popular form of kickboxing is known as aerobic or cardiovascular (cardio) kickboxing, which combines elements of boxing, martial arts, and aerobics to provide overall physical conditioning and toning. Unlike other types of kickboxing, cardio kickboxing does not involve physical contact between competitors — it’s a cardiovascular workout that’s done because of its many benefits to the body. Cardio kickboxing classes usually start with 10-15 minutes of warm-ups, which may include stretching and traditional exercises such as jumping jacks and push-ups, followed by a 30-minute kickboxing session that includes movements such as knee strikes, kicks, and punches. So before you jump in and enroll in a class, keep in mind that you can gain a lot more than just physical fitness and martial art skills when you learn kickboxing. So why not start today and punch, jab and kick your way to fitness?