Kickboxing is as intense a workout as you want it to be. As with any fitness regimen, the more effort you put in, the more results you will get. The type of kickboxing you do will determine how physically challenging it is. Combat or self-defense kickboxing, where you train in a martial arts studio with sandbags or spar against combat partners, can be an intense physical workout. Group kickboxing classes that use sandbags as part of the workout will also elevate the degree of intensity, because of the level of exertion punching and kicking the bag requires. Cardio kickboxing group fitness, which employ kicking and punching moves but no sandbags, has comparable intensity to jogging but works a wider range of muscles while increasing strength, flexibility and coordination. Here are some of the core kickboxing moves:
Cross: A straight punch that you throw slightly across your body, using your dominant hand.
Jab: A quick, straight, face punch. Usually thrown with the non-dominant hand.
Uppercut: A punch thrown up from the midsection (using either hand) that connects with the underside of your opponent’s chin.
Hook: A curved punch (using either hand) that connects with your competitor’s jaw or chin.
Side kick: A kick delivered when your competitor is at an angle to you. Raise your leg to the side, then bend at the knee to deliver the kick.
Front kick: A kick delivered straight on while you are facing your opponent.
Roundhouse kick: A kick delivered by swinging a leg up in a clockwise or counterclockwise motion (depending on which leg you’re using) with momentum to strike the opponent with the instep of the foot.