Do you feel intimidated by the idea of getting hit as part of your workout routine? There’s a thrill to kickboxing that you haven’t yet discovered.

If all you ever knew about kickboxing included wincing at the thought of getting hit or shaking your head at the thought of violently striking out at someone else, you really need to read this through. Not only is kickboxing far from being a violent form of exercise, it’s also filled with a variety of benefits that you may not have otherwise thought of. It’s a serious form of exercise and is fast becoming popular. Besides, it’s always a good idea to push yourself – your body can take more intensity than you give it credit for!

Kickboxing has a variety of styles and a long, somewhat complex history. It’s helpful to know a little about where it came from, just so that you know what you’re getting into. It originates from Muay Thai Boxing, a form of martial art from Thailand. There are many different styles of kickboxing, with popular forms including combat and cardio-kickboxing.

It does involve a lot of kicking and punching – but don’t worry, you’re not hurting anyone! The kicks, blocks, punches, and maneuvers just make you more flexible. Of course, there’s some headbutting and throws involved, but if you practice with a trained professional you needn’t worry about getting hurt. You should make sure that you wear appropriate gloves and guards to safeguard you from injury though. The good news is that it doubles up as self-defense which is always great to have up your sleeve.

What does Kickboxing do?

Still not convinced that you should put your body through this rigorous training? Well, here’s where we think we can change your mind. Kickboxing burns an average of 500 calories an hour, but depending on the intensity that you work out, it could actually be higher. Aside from burning calories, kickboxing also helps you stay flexible and improve your reflexes.

It targets a range of body parts, from your arms and shoulders to thighs and abs, all at the same time. If you’ve got too much on your mind with work, your personal life or even just undefined stress, this workout can also act as a good stress buster. Now with those kinds of benefits – who would say no?!

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