In the fitness world, combat sports are gaining popularity. Most mainstream gym-goers are familiar with boxing these days, but kickboxing is the flavour of the season – for good reason! After all, this full-body workout produces incredible results.
Disha Patani recently shared a viral video of herself kickboxing to Korean boy band BTS’s Run BTS. Gloving up helps Gigi Hadid, a volleyball player-turned-model, to keep her mind and body in good shape. Her boxing workouts are an excellent mix of cardio and resistance training. She not only gets a great workout, but she also works her mind. She has been quoted as saying that her workouts are mentally stimulating and that she “forgets she’s working out.
Kickboxing is a high-energy fitness routine that, in addition to heart-pumping cardio, aids in total-body workouts to help one get in shape quickly. “It relieves stress, produces endorphins that improve mood and confidence, burns over 800 calories per hour, tones the entire body, and is an excellent cross-training workout,” says M Akshay Kumar, kickboxing and fitness coach, and a Black Belt in kickboxing.
“Even if you’ve never taken a kickboxing class, your legs will get a good workout from the start. Standing on one leg strengthens that leg, and kicking with the other engages all of the big muscles in your legs, the quads, glutes, and hamstrings, which are much bigger than the muscles in our upper body,” explains Akshay.
“Kickboxing has always been the most effective, striking art. It does not restrict the use of various types of strikes (specifically kicks). When a boxer and a kickboxer fight, the kickboxer almost always wins,” says Lahari Sri Krishna, fitness expert and co founder Spiral’s BJJ Studio. It is also an important aspect of mixed martial arts.
Growing In Popularity
According to Lahari, kickboxing is gaining popularity in the fitness industry for the following reasons:
1) It is more versatile than boxing in terms of skill.
2) It is more of a total-body workout and body conditioning. It is also excellent for cardio because it works you out thoroughly.
3) It is extremely enjoyable and, depending on the number of participants, can be scaled to any level.
4) Humans have an innate desire to fight (punch or kick), and kickboxing allows this desire to be indulged without the negative consequences.
5) It releases a flood of endorphins, making you feel good and allowing you to be more consistent, as boredom and lack of consistency are the most common roadblocks in most people's fitness journey.
“I believe it is one of the few effective self-defense arts; knowing how to throw a punch or a kick makes you far more effective in a fight than all of the name-brand self-defense classes combined,” says Lahari.
Perks
Health benefits of kickboxing, according to Akshay:
1. Burns fat: Kickboxing is a high-energy workout that aids in fat loss, particularly stubborn belly fat. Women burn more calories during kickboxing, according to The American Council on Exercise (ACE), because it involves both the upper and lower body.
2. Alleviates stress: Kickboxing helps you improve your mental health. It stimulates the release of endorphins, which can reduce stress.
3. Enhances body posture: Kickboxing is a better way to strengthen your core and improve your reflexes and coordination skills if you have poor body posture and coordination. Punches and kicks allow you to concentrate on your movements and energy.
4. Tones the entire body: Kickboxing is an example of an exercise that will engage all of your muscle groups while also burning more calories. Engaging all core muscles improves coordination, and the constant movement in kickboxing improves flexibility and reflexes.
5. Increases energy: Kickboxing is a high-energy cardio routine that will strengthen your body and mind while also increasing your energy levels. It provides more energy to the body's cells, allowing them to burn and circulate oxygen throughout the body.
6. Mental sharpness: While responding to punches and instant hand and leg reflexes in kickboxing, your brain will learn to act quickly. So, in essence, it is all about what is going on behind your eyes and between your ears.
