Here’s Why You Should Get Into Kickboxing This September

Kickboxing is an effective form of cardio for total body toning. Although it looks as though you’re mostly using your legs and arms, kickboxers engage their core and glutes to throw their whole force behind each kick and punch.

It’s also great for building a six-pack too. “There are very few exercises that engage so many of our core muscles collectively as throwing a roundhouse kick,” says Ben Leonard-Kane, co-founder and trainer at London kickboxing studio Flykick (flykick.co.uk).

“This is because when you kick, you’re balancing on one leg, while rotating different parts of your body through different axes. You’re engaging the majority of both your ‘moving’ (abdominals, obliques, abductors) and ‘stabilising’ (transverse abdominal, pelvic floor) core muscles.”

Balance, power and stamina are all needed to master the non-stop jabs, crosses and kicks involved in a match. Many hybrid classes also involve intervals of cardio, so expect to be slayed with non-stop squats, burpees, planks and press-ups.

Had a stressful day at the office? 30 minutes of kickboxing is all you need to blow off some mental steam and achieve that feel good fitness high.

“There are numerous studies that show kickboxing is an effective form of stress relief,” says Leonard-Kane.

“While you are punching and kicking the bag, letting go of all that stress in a constructive manner, your body releases endorphins that relieve pain and aid in decreasing depression and anxiety.”