6 Life-Changing Benefits of Kickboxing for Women
Kickboxing is a dynamic martial art that blends boxing moves with kicking techniques. Drawing inspiration from a range of martial arts such as karate, Thai boxing, tae kwon do, and kung fu, kickboxing offers a full-body workout that boosts your cardiovascular fitness. In addition to elevating your heart rate, kickboxing can help enhance muscle strength, agility, balance, and calorie-burning potential. Continue reading to delve deeper into the advantages of kickboxing, the essential gear required, and the safety guidelines to follow.
Boost Fitness Level
Kickboxing is a rigorous exercise regimen that pushes your body to its limits in various ways. However, the benefits it offers are substantial, particularly in terms of enhancing your overall physical fitness, strength, and power.
For example, a research study involving young, healthy men in their 20s who engaged in kickboxing training three times a week for five weeks revealed significant improvements in their flexibility, fitness levels, power, and agility. Additionally, kickboxing led to a notable enhancement in both their upper and lower body power by approximately 7%. Furthermore, participants were able to shave a whole second off their 50-meter sprint time, showcasing the positive impact of kickboxing on their speed and performance.
Improves Heart Health
Undoubtedly, kickboxing is a dynamic exercise that not only engages your entire body but also provides a vigorous cardiovascular workout. The combination of jumping, kicking, and punching involved in kickboxing greatly enhances your overall endurance and improves the efficiency of your heart.
A research study published in the Biology of Sport revealed that engaging in kickboxing helps to develop cardiovascular endurance. While individual results varied slightly among the participants, it was observed that individuals practicing kickboxing generally exhibited robust cardiorespiratory endurance. Maintaining such excellent cardiovascular fitness levels can play a crucial role in lowering the risk of heart disease.
Strengthens Balance and Coordination
Participating in a kickboxing class involves a lot of jabbing and kicking, which requires good balance and hand-eye coordination. The rapid changes in directions during the workout help activate various muscle groups, leading to enhancements in balance and coordination over time.
In a study focusing on individuals with multiple sclerosis, researchers investigated the effects of engaging in kickboxing sessions three times a week. After just five weeks, participants showed remarkable progress in their balance, coordination, and mobility. This suggests that kickboxing can be a beneficial form of exercise for improving physical abilities in individuals with certain health conditions.
Decreases Stress and Anxiety
Life can become burdensome and anxiety-inducing at times, but engaging in kickboxing may offer the respite you seek. Recent studies have revealed that participating in boxing-style workouts can help alleviate feelings of anxiety, depression, and anger.
In a research study delving into the effects of boxing-style exercises, experts observed that individuals demonstrated enhancements in their emotional well-being, including decreased negative emotions, increased calmness, and energy levels, as well as heightened feelings of relaxation and positivity. Moreover, participants reported reduced levels of tension, anxiety, depression, anger, and confusion, with noticeable improvements in their overall mood disturbances.
Improves the Health of Bones and Muscles
As you grow older, it is common to face challenges like muscle loss and changes in bone health, particularly if you lack a consistent exercise regimen or undergo illnesses affecting your muscles and bones. Engaging in regular kickboxing sessions, however, can potentially help counteract these effects.
A study following a 12-week kickboxing training program observed enhancements in muscle strength and function parameters among adults aged 50 to 85, despite no significant increase in muscle mass. Sarcopenia, the age-related decline in muscle mass and strength, was positively impacted by the kickboxing sessions. Moreover, participants displayed improvements in their osteoporosis markers, suggesting that kickboxing could also benefit bone health.
Boosts Self-Esteem and Confidence
It’s no surprise that kickboxing is a fantastic empowering workout. Beyond enhancing your mood, it has the ability to boost your self-esteem and self-confidence, particularly due to the need for strong muscle power in both your upper and lower body. This combination leaves you feeling physically strong and mentally confident.
Furthermore, studies suggest that regular kickboxers often have a mesomorphic body type, characterized by a higher ratio of muscle to fat. This awareness can help you appreciate the incredible capabilities of your body. Additionally, researchers highlight that kickboxing demands high levels of self-assurance, motivation, hope, optimism, mental resilience, and determination.