CARDIO KICKBOXING

What is cardio kickboxing?

All the rage at the gym and fitness centers around the country, this workout and training borrows moves from the thai sport of kick boxing to make participants work up a serious sweat. The moves are worked into the swiftly executed combinations (for example: jab, cross, hook, uppercut, thrust kick) of a kickboxer. Some teachers mix in a few minutes of jumping rope (often as a warm-up) and conditioning drills in the beginning of the classes just to get the blood pumping. The students also get to learn all the techniques of the martial art and practice them on various types of equipment provided by the gym.

What are the benefits?

Although it may seem as if every new exercise trend is hailed as "a full-body workout," these classes are the best for a cardio workout or aerobics. If you do the punches with precision and power, you'll strengthen your upper body and eventually see more muscle definition. The kicks will strengthen your legs, especially the hamstrings (the muscles that run down the backs of your thighs). And the kneeing move (a strike in which you thrust your bent knee upward and outward) will firm your abdominal muscles; in fact, all of the moves, when done correctly, will make your torso into a solid base that lets you do everyday tasks more easily - whether you're hoisting a heavy box into your attic crawl space or shoving open a window that always sticks.

Your cardiovascular system will benefit too. Our instructors will keep you bobbing, weaving, and jumping amidst the punches and kicks, so that your heart rate stays elevated for most of the session. Drive also spends some of the class focusing on proper form and technique. Either way, our class will leave you drenched in sweat and energized.

What's more, a lot of people find kickboxing a great way to release stress. Civilized as we've all been not to hit each other (which is, of course, a good thing), we're still animals with some natural aggression. You may find that if you learn how to plant your heel in the torso of a phantom foe 10 or 20 times leaves you feeling wonderfully tranquil.

Eric Mentrup

www.drivemixedmartialarts.com