Kickboxing is widely participated in nowadays, both as a sport and as a kind of physical exercise. It is a very effective form of exercise because it helps to build muscle all over the body and makes you stronger overall. Although kickboxing has been shown to be beneficial for a lot of people, it does come with some risks.
Before pursuing something, one must remember that there are bound to be some drawbacks, which cannot and should not be overlooked.
What is kickboxing?
Kickboxing was originally categorized as a form of mixed martial arts, which is the umbrella category under which the majority of the martial arts that are practiced today originated. Only a few of martial arts, including Karate, Sanda, and Savate, can trace their roots back to kickboxing.
What is the difference between kickboxing and boxing?
Another sport that is frequently confused with kickboxing is boxing, which is an entirely distinct combat sport.
Boxing places a significant amount of emphasis on the upper body of the boxer. Only the opponent’s face, chest, or stomach are intended to take a hit from the punches. On the other hand, in kickboxing, not only are hand punches launched at the opponent but also, as the name suggests, the players are allowed to employ kicks to defeat the opponent as well. In addition to hand punches, there may also be knees and elbows thrown.
What is the difference between kickboxing and other forms of martial arts?
In addition to the fact that there are no predetermined regulations for kickboxing matches like there are in other forms of martial arts like karate and taekwondo, the fact that kickboxing involves the use of kicks makes it an inherently riskier sport for participants to engage in. It is based on the freestyle technique that each of the players involved in the game brings to the table. This makes the game far more dangerous than it already was.
In addition to that, one of the forms of exercise that are done is kickboxing. This is something that is typically done at gyms because it is beneficial for working out the complete body with only one action. It has been shown to be quite effective for reducing body fat while at the same time increasing muscle mass.
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Advantages of kickboxing (PROS)
Kickboxing is considered great for maintaining your overall fitness and health. If guided by a professional, one can maintain their respective fitness for a very long time. It not only boosts your self-esteem and confidence but also improves your health conditions. Here are some advantages of kickboxing.
1. Considered great for your cardiovascular health
Learning kickboxing is considered great for your cardiovascular health. Practicing kickboxing for at least one hour helps in increasing your maximum oxygen uptake (VO2MAX). VO2MAX is the maximum or ideal pace at which the heart, lungs, and muscles can effectively utilize oxygen while exercising; this rate is used as a measurement of an individual’s individual aerobic capacity. So increasing this measurement will enhance your body’s ability to consume and use up more oxygen efficiently. As a result, it helps in providing a shield against certain cardiovascular diseases.
2. Reduces stress
Kickboxing is related to releasing endorphins which makes you feel good. So performing kickboxing after you are done with your regular work will help you to reduce stress and depression. Moreover, kickboxing is also suggested for people who have anger issues as it helps in relieving your anger.
3. May help you with weight loss
The core mantra of weight loss includes a proper diet and regular workouts. Kickboxing is considered a high-intensity workout. So if you are practicing kickboxing regularly, it will definitely help you in your weight loss journey. Kickboxing also helps in the burning of calories as it is an aerobic workout. According to UFC GYM, a 50-minute kickboxing workout can help you burn 400-600 calories.
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4. Boosts your confidence
There are several interviews of people who say that sports like kickboxing have actually helped them to boost their overall confidence and esteem. Previously they were low on confidence and had very low self-esteem because of things that have happened to them in the past. But after joining kickboxing classes, they started feeling strong from the inside and helped them to develop the confidence they required.
5. Helps in good sleep
Regular exercises and workouts always help you to get a good night’s sleep. Performing kickboxing makes you feel extremely tired which in turn helps in providing you with proper sleep. A night of good sleep is actually very important for your overall health. So if you are an insomniac or have sleeping issues you should definitely join a sport like kickboxing, which will help you to sleep well at night.
6. Boosts your overall energy
Kickboxing is an amazing high-energy aerobic program that will give your body and mind a boost as you breathe heavily while sweating away toxins. This is because kickboxing requires you to punch, kick, and punch some more. After working up a sweat to prove that it was all worth it, this is the ideal approach to get back on track and continue with your day. Your body’s overall energy level will increase as a result of this procedure in its entirety.
7. Improves your posture
Workouts that involve kickboxing will stress numerous muscle groups that don’t get enough attention throughout the day, and you’ll start to build up your core strength as a result. This is especially beneficial if you spend your day slumped over a computer. Kickboxing exercises are great for targeting the core muscles in and around your abdominal wall because they require you to engage your waist and abs to maintain your balance and perform each perfectly choreographed motion.
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8. Improves coordination and balance
Your ability to coordinate your movements will be put to the test in a kickboxing class because you will be learning some amazing maneuvers. You may swing a hook across your body, shuffle side to side while punching an imaginary speed bag, or stand on one leg while kicking the other leg into the air. These are just some of the options available to you. All of these things will help enhance your flexibility and balance.
However, despite these pros of kickboxing, many people’s health can suffer as a result of participating in this sport in a number of different ways.
Disadvantages Of Kickboxing (CONS)
1. High-intensity workout
Kickboxing has a number of drawbacks, the first of which is its high intensity.
Kickboxing is a high-intensity form of exercise that is beneficial for some participants while having the potential to be severely detrimental to others. if it is not carried out in the right manner with the right instructors. People who already have cardiac disorders should not use it because it makes their heart rate dramatically raise in just a short amount of time, which is not safe for them to do and is not encouraged. It is possible for it to boost your heart rate to around 70% higher than your normal heart rate, which can result in a variety of negative aftereffects, including the risk of having a heart attack as well as the possibility of experiencing heartache.
2. Injuries
Kickboxing is characterized by a large number of hand and leg movements that are quick and executed with a significant level of force. This can cause strains in the muscles as well as injury to the bones. Our bodies are not designed for really quick and powerful motions, and it can be even more dangerous to do something that you are not used to doing, especially if it is something that you are not used to doing. As a result, kickboxing calls for cautious and steady practice under the supervision of an experienced professional. It is possible for it to do more harm than benefit if it is carried out without the appropriate supervision. The kind of physical strength that is required for it might have serious negative repercussions on one’s body.
According to research published in The British Journal of Sports Medicine, 90.4% of people who participate in kickboxing have experienced at least one and oftentimes multiple physical injuries as a result of the activity. The majority of these wounds are shown to be localized in the calf and lower leg regions. Kickboxing also carries a greater risk of causing bone fractures because of the impact of the sport.
3. Requires Quick Reflexes
Your general reflexes will improve more than those of a typical person if you practice kickboxing, but you will still need a certain level of inborn reflexes if you want to become an expert in this sport. Reflexes are essential to have while competing in order to protect yourself from the other player. It is possible for you to not only lose the match but also sustain injuries as a result of a lack of it. Because of this facet of kickboxing, not everyone is able to pursue it as a hobby.
4. Requires the Services of a Qualified Professional
It is not possible to teach yourself kickboxing as a sport on your own. Learning how to play a sport on your own can be hazardous and fraught with peril because of the high-intensity nature of the game. It is always to your advantage to learn a particular sport or workout routine under the direction of an experienced professional. That makes it easier to learn how to play the sport properly and improves the whole experience.
Employing and collaborating with a professional would demand a greater amount of money to cover their fees, which, once again, would reduce the number of people who could take part in the sport. Because participants are required to have the appropriate clothing and other forms of safety equipment, the overall cost of getting started in the sport is going to be higher.
Conclusion
Kickboxing, despite the fact that it has some drawbacks, has a lot of positive aspects, and it has been shown to be beneficial to thousands of people all over the world. It is one of the few sports that can deliver full-body exercise with only one sport, which this one does. It improves eye-body synchronization as well as boosts reflexes throughout the body.
Kickboxing is not only practiced as a sport, but also as a method of self-defense, which is taught to pupils in schools. It is possible for it to cause a significant amount of harm to the attacker if it is not performed in a professional atmosphere. The physical strength required to blow shots is sufficient for an individual to leave a perilous circumstance in which they require protection.
In general, everyone is capable of learning the sport and becoming an expert at it if they receive the appropriate medical direction and professional training.
