Whether you’re looking to get a stronger heart or stronger punches, kickboxing is a great way to improve your overall health and fitness while learning to defend yourself. As one of the few central Manchester kickboxing gyms, we offer classes suited to people of all levels, from beginner to advanced, so if you’re looking to boost your cardio, gain flexibility and improve your functional fitness all while learning to fight, you’re in the right place.
While it can be daunting to try a combat sport for the first time, it’s good to know that there is a lot to gain from learning to throw hands like a pro. Kickboxing can help to aid weight loss as well as hypertrophy, improve your heart health and even strengthen your bones.
Let’s have a look at the health benefits of kickboxing in more detail.
Kickboxing improves cardiovascular fitness
Although cardio training is essential for heart health, there’s no denying that some forms of cardio are tedious (sorry running gang). Kickboxing is a great way to get in a seriously intense cardio session without having a chance to feel bored.
A dynamic workout that hits both the anaerobic and aerobic energy systems, kickboxing has been shown to drastically improve cardiovascular health – when done consistently. One study found that three one-hour kickboxing sessions per week significantly increases maximum oxygen intake (also known as VO2 max) and therefore endurance.
...And functional fitness
Not only can kickboxing help you lose weight and gain muscle, and can also make your a better functioning human, meaning everyday tasks, from carrying your shopping bags to running for the bus, become much easier.
Namely, kickboxing helps with balance and coordination, according to a small-scale study, suggesting that training can benefit you even as you age, improving your ability to stay balanced and protecting you from falls.
Kickboxing can help to build muscle mass
If gaining muscle is your goal, kickboxing is a great addition to strength training. Kickboxing is a full body workout: when you throw kicks and punches, plenty of muscles in your upper and lower body are activated, as well as the muscles in your core.
While kickboxing can feel like an intense cardio workout, it takes a lot of strength and muscle engagement to constantly kick, hit and twist your body. You’ll be activating muscles you didn’t even know existed, and toning your body in the process.
It also aids weight loss
Any consistent cardio practice leads to weight loss, and kickboxing is now different. Constantly moving your body and taking part in intense sparring sessions burns a lot of calories. It’s no wonder that amateur and professional kickboxers have been shown to have lower percentages of body fat and more muscle mass than people who don’t train.
You'll have more flexibility and mobility
You might be surprised to learn just how much flexibility it takes to be able to kick someone in the head. Kickboxing not only requires a high level of flexibility, it also helps to cultivate it.
There are tons of benefits to being more flexible, from larger ranges of motion that can transfer to other sports and exercises to increased blood flow to the muscles and, of course, better functionality for daily tasks.
Kickboxing boosts bone health
Finally, kickboxing is a weight-bearing exercise, meaning it can improve your bone health. A study found that adults aged 50 to 85 who took part in 12 weeks of kickboxing showed improvements in their osteoporosis markers, suggesting that kickboxing has a positive effect on bone health, which is important for longevity.
Comentários