Kickboxing is giving me killer guns!

Hello, my amazing readers! How are you today? I hope all is going well for you! I’ve been great lately, my energy and vitality are at an all time high despite the fact that I’m getting closer to fifty every day, though thankfully that’s still a few years away. I have been trying to determine why I feel so great lately and I think one important reason is my workout regimen. I mix it up with my workouts, so as to work different muscle groups and not get bored with my fitness routine, however I have especially enjoyed the kickboxing portion of my week. I’ve mentioned kickboxing in a previous post but so great is my love for it that I decided it deserved its own post. Therefore, today it’s all about the benefits of kickboxing and why you should choose it as an exercise option.

This is my current favorite- Kickboxing Cardio Power with Sensei Guillermo Gomez- love!!!It’s a more advanced workout, definitely not for beginners!

Kickboxing is a form of exercise that developed from the separate disciplines of martial arts, boxing, and aerobics. Instead of a competitive sport, cardio kickboxing is a great workout that challenges body and mind. It’s a great calorie burner too, a 155 pound person burns on average 372 calories in a 30 minute workout, according to Harvard Medical school. If you’re heavier or workout for a longer period of time you’ll burn even more calories!

This is the first kickboxing workout I started with. It’s a great beginning workout!

Another advantage to kickboxing is that because of the extended period of time spent punching and kicking, it really tones your arms and legs (as seen in the picture of me above). In addition, because of the intense punching and kicking, not only does it tone your arms and legs, but it is great cardio and conditions your heart. Also, because you have to follow a series of moves, kickboxing can improve coordination. Balance can also improve because of the time spent on one leg doing kicks.

This is what the workout, Kickboxing Cardio Power, looks like onscreen.

My favorite advantage to kickboxing is that the time spent kicking and punching help release stress, anger and frustration. I happen to love all the punching and have been known to “punch out” my frustration, only during the workout of course, with people in the process. I emerge a more peaceful and joyous person so that’s a good thing! It also can help with confidence because I feel like if I ever needed to defend myself, at least I know how to kick and punch now. Of course, it doesn’t take the place of a self-defense class so maybe that’s next for me.

This is another workout for those just beginning to kickbox.

Additionally, kickboxing provides variety to treadmill workouts or other aerobic activity, and variety is the key to avoiding workout burnout, which causes many to stop working out entirely. I also like the fact that you can take a class at a gym if that is how you like to workout, or if you’re like me and prefer the flexibility of working out at home, there are a great many excellent kickboxing workouts on DVD or On Demand on Comcast to chose from.

A more advanced Sensei Guillermo Gomez workout. Work up to this!

So that’s one of the secrets to my workout success. Give kickboxing a try. It will help you to have more defined legs and arms, will improve your heart health, increase coordination and balance, it helps to release stress, anger and frustration, and improves confidence. Best of all it burns TONS of calories, 372 burned during a 30 minute workout for 155 pound person. It’s also a workout you can do either at home or in the gym. I like having that choice. And there are many great kickboxing workouts from which to choose, so you can keep on trying them until you find one that works for you. One thing I really love about Sensei Gomez’ workouts is that at the end he guides us through 10 minutes of yoga, so not only do you get your kicking and punching, but in the end you get your stretch and your peace. What could be better?! I’ve shown you my favorites, if you’re a kickboxer, share your favorite workout with us! if you haven’t tried it before, what are you waiting for? Try it and let me know what you think. It will help you live a life of vitality- like Valerie!