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Training Tips - February 2009

Exercise: Kickboxing
Primary Muscle: Adductors, Abductors, Glutes, Quadriceps and Hamstrings
Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate

Don’t overlook warming up. Before a session in kickboxing, you have to do five to ten minutes of gentle warming-up by extending and stretching your legs. This allows you to awaken the major muscles in your lower body that are primarily used in kickboxing.

Why Kickboxing?

Besides keeping your body fit, kickboxing has other benefits. You can burn anywhere from 350 to 450 calories an hour with kickboxing!

Kickboxing also reduces and relieves stress. Its rigorous workout - controlled punching and kicking movements carried out with the correct discipline and skills can do wonders for stress and frustration. Practicing kickboxing moves can also help to improve balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.

Basic moves used in Kickboxing . . .

1. Roundhouse kick: Stand with the right side of your body facing an imaginary target with your knees bent and your feet shoulders' width apart. Lift your right knee, pointing it just to the right of the target and pivoting your body toward the same direction. Kick with your right leg, as though you are hitting the target. Repeat with your other leg.
   
   
2. Front Kick: Stand with feet shoulders' width apart. Bend your knees slightly, and pull your right knee up toward your chest. Point your knee in the direction of an imaginary target. Then, kick out with the ball of your foot. Repeat with your other leg.
   
   
3. Side kick: Start with the right side of your body facing a target. Pull your right knee up toward your left shoulder, and bend your knees slightly as you kick in the direction of your target. The outside of your foot or heel should be the part that would hit the target. Repeat with your other leg.