What Are The Unique Benefits To Kickboxing?

Kickboxing as a workout has recently surged in popularity—and for good reason. Kickboxing is one of the most intense full body workouts available and by far the most enjoyable!
One of the first benefits of kickboxing classes is that they get you in shape. Think of how fit boxers need to be to stay on their feet, bobbing and weaving, constantly moving, while trying to punch and kick each other for ten or 12 three-minute rounds. That is no easy feat. Your body and mind need to be honed to become a kickboxer. A kickboxer learns how to control his or her breathing, footwork, balance, and power. Kickboxing is not just hitting another person in a ring. It is a skillful dance that requires more from your body than anything you have asked from it before.

In order to last 1 round in the ring—let alone 12—you need to increase your cardiovascular endurance. Because of this, you’ll learn how to skip rope—like a boxer-- which is an amazing cardiovascular workout. In addition, kickboxing will shock your body to new heights—you will be faster, stronger, and healthier because I will always go to your limit. Since Kickboxing is entirely dynamic, there are no “numbers.” I will never ask you to give me a “level 5” punch or kick. I will tell you to punch and kick as hard as you can. That way we are always pushing your body to its max and thus, always breaking down plateaus making you as strong and fit as possible.

You’ll also hit the heavy bag – which is a form of resistance training – that will build power in your arms. Hitting the double-ended bag and working with spotting mitts (which is like punching moveable targets), will develop hand speed and eye-hand co-ordination. Push-ups will strengthen your entire upper body. Kicking drills will develop leg power and improve your balance. Are you getting the picture? Kickboxing is the ultimate full body workout!

All boxers, kickboxers and other martial artists have to be able to take a blow to the midsection. Crunches and other abdominal exercises are fine and will help build and sometime strengthen your midsection but I take it to the next level. Having rock hard abs are great but wouldn’t it be nice to be able to absorb a punch like it was nothing? Having a dynamite midsection looks great but is it actually strong? As said before, Kickboxing trains your entire body. When you punch you twist your entire body, training your obliques and core. When you kick you have to tighten your entire midsection to stay balanced. To be able to kick above your head you need to have a tight, controlled core that I guarantee will be able many times stronger than before. Flexibility is also crucial for anyone studying a fighting art and we will work on flexibility exercises to increase balance and to minimize the risk of injury.

Lastly, Kickboxing gives you confidence and a number of key self-defense principles. When you learn what your body can do, how to avoid an attack, how strong you actually are, it radiates from within you. All of my students say they feel empowered and more in control. Get in the best shape of your life, learn how to defend yourself, become more confident, and train with a Martial Arts and Kickboxing Champion! What more can you ask for?

--Sensei Jordan Friedman