Kickboxing is an effective, high-intensity workout that can help you burn fat and lose weight. The workout combines cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises to create a total body workout. Use it as part of your daily fitness routine or special occasions, such as when you want to get fit for a wedding or holiday.
In contrast to other forms of exercise that focus on a gradual, steady motion for an extended period, kickboxing emphasise quick, explosive bursts of movement. This translates to enhanced fat oxidation and a faster metabolic rate at rest, similar to the effects of other high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts. Combine a few of the moves listed below for a more efficient weight-loss journey.
Jab Punch
A Jab punch is a basic yet very effective move. It is one of the most common and simple moves in kickboxing. The jab punch has three different applications: blocking, countering and striking.
When performing this move, take a stride or two forward, with your left foot in front of your right, to get the proper stance for this technique. Raise your left hand to your chin and your right hand to just behind it. Straighten your left arm and jab forward for a quick punch. If you want to get in the habit of protecting your face, bring your right arm forward and strike with your left hand up close to your cheek. Time yourself by swapping arms; for example, if you’re punching, cover your face with the other hand and return to the beginning position to keep track.
Upper Cut
Upper cut is a special attack that lets you strike your opponent from below. Your arms should be at your sides, bent at the elbows. From a posture typical of a boxer, flex both fists and throw staccato, upward punches with alternating arms. Your biceps will get a workout, and so will your core, making you a more powerful puncher. Keep switching sides with each set.
Side Kick to Right/Left
Position yourself just to the right of the sandbag. Assume a fighting stance by bringing your right foot back, putting your left arm over your face, and bringing your right hand up to cover your chin. You can kick the heavy bag by rotating your hips to the left and pivoting on your left foot while kicking to the right, all the while maintaining your knee high and snapping your heel “through” the bag. After kicking with one leg 10 times, switch to kicking with the other.
Hook
Instead of throwing a straight punch (a jab) from a posture typical of a boxer, form an arc with your arm and strike from the side as you swivel your hips and knees. You should be aggressively working your obliques, biceps, and shoulders the whole time. Spend 30 seconds on each side.
Lunge with a Kick
Start by stepping back with your right foot into a lunge a few feet behind the sandbag; then, with an explosive upward movement from the bottom of the lunge, drive through your left heel to stand up again. Kick with your right heel “through the bag” straight away by extending your right leg. Ten repetitions, then swap legs.
Cross Punch
Assume a combative posture. Aim for your opponent’s chin with a right cross punch, which involves bringing your right arm forward and to the left of your body. Do not put your hand down, but rather back toward your face. Hold your left hand close to your mouth. Focus all your energy on each cross punch, holding your core in tight and protecting your face with your non working hand. Swap arms every so often.
Challenging Kickboxing Moves
As you continue to train, your confidence in your kickboxing abilities will continue to increase, and you’ll soon be ready to go to more difficult manoeuvres. Among these are the snap kick, the flying knee and the spinning back kick.
Kickboxing London: Find the Right Class
Kickboxing in London has emerged as a favourite activity among those looking to be in shape while still having fun. For those interested in full-contact combat sports, kickboxing presents a distinct sort of challenge, despite the fact that it shares many of the underlying movement concepts used in karate.
In recent years, these distinctive motions have been incorporated into high-impact aerobic workouts called “kickboxing classes,” which practically anybody can enjoy thanks to the use of music. If you’re looking for a great place to take kickboxing classes in London, you need to look no further than Xen-Do. At Xen Do, you’ll have the opportunity to hone the above-described moves while also getting in shape with this combat sport.