Kickboxing for Beginners

New Year. New fitness routine. It is a familiar thought. You want to try out a new class because your routine is getting a little old. Most gyms offer some sort of kickboxing class for all levels, but be warned, this will not be easy. This is not for the casual exerciser or the dangerously uncoordinated. Blaring pop music, multiple phases of equipment and your own lack of rhythm will all work against you. If you commit and do a little preparation, you will be glad you fought the overwhelming urge to walk out after the first 15 minutes.

Before your first class, consider a little preparation.

Check out some basic kickboxing moves. Your teacher will have some choreography she or he has put together, but it never hurts to be vaguely familiar with the moves that will inevitably be recycled.

Bring your own weights and jump rope in case the equipment at your gym is not your size. It is frustrating to work with a bad jump rope or weights that are too heavy, especially if the moves are not complicated.

Definitely pack some water because you will need it. If you are a walker or a jogger, you will experience a different level of dehydration during this hour.

In the end, don’t worry and have fun! It is just a class and learning something new is always a positive, even if you don’t unlock a secret athletic talent.