Not only does it work on building up limbs but it’s also been known to reduce stress. A typical kickboxing workout involves shadow boxing, heavy bag work, and stamina drills. A study revealed that you burn between  350 and 450 calories from one hour’s  kickboxing!
Origins of kickboxing date back two thousand years in far East Asia, but the version we see today came onto the scene in the 70s, based on a system which allows for kicks and punches to knockout. It’s basically full contact karate with added punch!
Since then kickboxing has been appropriated by many cultures giving rise to different forms such as Japanese kickboxing, Burmese kickboxing, otherwise known as Lethwei, and Adithada, a style developed in India.
Common techniques for punching are the jab, a straight punch to either the head or body, the hook, a rounded punch executed in an arching motion and the uppercut, a rising punch aimed at the chin.
Kicks are even more impressive; there’s the famous roundhouse kick, the hammer kick engineered to break an opponent’s neck and the sweeping kick to floor an assailant in a second.
Kickboxing is not all about means of attack. There are several moves aimed at defending the body. Bobbing and weaving whereby the head moves from side to side, is a popular tactic when evading punches and boxers are even taught to ‘cover up’ where hands are held high to protect the head and chin.
With such potentially lethal moves, it’s best to buy some boxing gloves and a helmet when engaging in class combat. Clothing differs between the sexes; guys usually box bare-chested and barefoot wearing only a pair of shorts. Girls adopt a tank top and shorts. It’s important wear light clothing as kickboxing is all about making strong sharp strikes.
• For more information visit: www.kickboxing-wka.co.uk