Feel like you're ready to kick butt with your fitness regimen? Then add a cardio kickboxing class to your fitness repertoire. You'll get a leg up on feeling physically fit by engaging in a workout that's a combination of aerobic and resistance training. {relatedarticles}We're talking about cardio kickboxing, a workout that not only builds strength, but also incorporates moves from karate, tae kwon do or other martial arts. While it's not to be confused with self-defense, cardio kickboxing does offer one of heck of a workout. It both tones and conditions the body, and it's hard to deny the incredible calorie-burning bonus. For starters, Muscle and Fitness magazine ranked cardio kickboxing as the top fat-burning workout. That's because participants can burn as much as 1,000 calories for one hour of kickboxing. So you're getting a whole lot of bang for your buck. Cardio kickboxing typically begins with a warm-up.
This is followed by an intense 30-minute workout that includes knee strikes, kicks and punches. The class concludes with a cool-down that includes stretching, which releases the tension in the soreness and reduces post-workout soreness. {relatedarticles}Cardio kickboxing can be a rigorous workout. So only you know when to say when. Know your limits and take a step back if it gets to be too much. It's also important to drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated throughout the workout. Most gyms offer some sort of cardio kickboxing class or you can find studios and gyms that specialize in these classes. It's important to make sure that your instructor is trained and certified. Consult with your physician before starting any new workout.