| There are numerous martial sports to choose | | | | some other form of exercise that will build your |
| from if you're looking for a good workout, instead | | | | endurance. |
| of martial arts traditional training. Of these martial | | | | As with any martial arts traditional training, you |
| sports, kickboxing is the most popular. If you | | | | should check out a class first. By doing this, you |
| want a martial art style routine to keep in shape, | | | | can see for yourself if kickboxing is for you or |
| this sport might be for you. | | | | not. Ask the instructor how many beginners are in |
| Kickboxing, once of many martial art styles, goes | | | | his or her class. |
| back almost 2,000 years to Asia. Kickboxing | | | | If there aren't any, find out if the instructor would |
| made it's debut into martial sports in the 1970s as | | | | be willing to modify the routine to fit you in. Then |
| a way for Americans with martial arts traditional | | | | again, do you really want to be the only beginner |
| training to compete with full contact. | | | | in an advanced class? Shop around and find the |
| These competitions were no-holds-barred and | | | | class that fits you best. |
| allowed the competitors to use kicks and punches | | | | The qualifications in any of the martial sports are |
| otherwise banned in karate kumite competitions. | | | | important, but your future kickboxing instructor |
| Because of the hazards that any full contact | | | | may be the most important. Not only does the |
| sport presents, safety gear and ground rules | | | | instructor need to have a high level of martial arts |
| were implemented into the competitions. | | | | traditional training, but he or she also has to be |
| The martial sports of kickboxing are varied to suit | | | | certified as a personal trainer. |
| all levels of involvement: from hard-core, full | | | | Ask them if they have certification from ACE |
| contact competition to cardio kickboxing classes | | | | (American Council on Exercise) or another |
| at the local gym. | | | | established organization that specializes in training |
| If you have decided that you want to try your | | | | personal trainers and aerobic instructors. |
| hand (or feet) at kickboxing, there are a few | | | | Consult with your doctor before beginning a |
| things you need to consider with this particular | | | | kickboxing or other martial sports routine. Martial |
| martial art style. First, you have to be in shape to | | | | sports can be exhausting on the body, so proper |
| get in shape. | | | | health is required to get the full benefits from this |
| Kickboxing is demanding and plunging into a martial | | | | martial arts traditional training. |
| art school after having been inactive could put a | | | | Kickboxing alone can strengthen your heart while |
| lot of stress on your body. Take it slow and start | | | | burning a great deal of calories at the same time. |
| easy. Don't let your ego tell you differently. | | | | The discipline and exercise involved with the |
| Build up to your kickboxing training by first | | | | martial sports routine can have an effect on |
| conditioning your body with low level aerobics or | | | | everyday activities and aspects of your life. |