The benefits of kickboxing range from burning calories to improving self-esteem to helping people feel more confident in their everyday lives. Kickboxing is a sport that is accessible to new and elite athletes alike. It can help men and women tone their bodies, lose excess fat, and improve their mental well-being. This article will discuss the top five benefits of kickboxing that keep people engaged and coming back for more.
Top 5 Benefits of Kickboxing
Kickboxing has grown increasingly popular over the last ten years or so, skyrocketing from 4.95 million participants in 2006 to nearly 7 million in 2017.
These numbers will undoubtedly continue to rise as more people learn about the many benefits of kickboxing, including the ones listed below.
1. Improve Cardiovascular Fitness Level
Cardiovascular fitness is critical for improving health. Boosting cardiovascular endurance helps with everything from getting through a long workout to performing daily chores with ease. In addition to making it easier to go about a normal day, an improved cardiovascular fitness level can lower the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
Kickboxing is a high-intensity workout that elevates participants’ heart rates for the entire session and helps improve cardio fitness. It features periods of rest that are long enough to let participants catch their breath but short enough to ensure their heart rate doesn’t fall too low to reduce the benefits of the workout.
2. Total Body Workout That’s Never Boring
Kickboxing works every muscle group, unlike some workouts that only target one body part. This includes everything from the neck and shoulders to the arms, torso, abs, core, back, legs, and even ankles and wrists.
Finding another workout that targets as many parts of the body as kickboxing is challenging. In addition, one of the key benefits of kickboxing is that it is constantly changing. Every session is different and combines moves in new and exciting ways to ensure that participants’ bodies and minds never get bored.
3. Build Strength, Burn Calories and Lose Fat
Of course, one of the main reasons people join a fitness class is to get fit. Kickboxing is superior to slogging away on a treadmill or doing tons of crunches. Kickboxers can burn up to 900 calories per session while simultaneously building strength and burning fat. It is not uncommon for new participants to see changes in their endurance, muscle tone and weight during their first month of kickboxing.
One of the unique benefits of kickboxing is that it can serve as both cardio and strength training, thanks to the variety of moves incorporated into each amazing workout. This makes kickboxing the perfect class for busy people who don’t want to worry about scheduling separate training sessions for strength and cardio fitness.
4. Release Endorphins, Improve Mood and Relieve Stress
There is no better way to shake off a demanding workday than to throw punches and kicks at a punching bag. It’s empowering and satisfying to safely let aggression out by physically hitting something that can’t hit back.
In addition to the physical release of hitting something to get out aggression, kickboxing offers a quick endorphin boost that can help relieve stress. Kickboxing is an instant mood booster; the effects will last long after class ends. Those seeking an outlet to reduce stress in their life should consider taking up kickboxing classes.
5. Make Friends and Have Fun
A final benefit of kickboxing is that it allows class participants to make friends who share the same goals, even if they have different fitness abilities. Joining a kickboxing class is an excellent way to make friends and have fun learning new moves and routines. Many people find that the friends they make in kickboxing classes extend to other parts of their lives. Regular exercise with friends is also a great way to create and reinforce a healthy exercise routine.
Enjoy the Benefits of Kickboxing at X3 Sports
Beginners and fitness enthusiasts living in the Atlanta area can enjoy these five benefits of kickboxing (and more) by stopping into one of the local X3 Sports locations to try out a class. The supportive environment at X3 Sports is unmatched, and X3 trainers are some of the best in their field.
It’s easy to get started with kickboxing at X3 Sports, and it doesn’t cost a thing. Visit this link to sign up for a free kickboxing class and enjoy its transformative effects on mind and body.