What Happens To Your Body When You Start Kickboxing?

Believe it or not, kickboxing is a type of martial arts that combines karate and boxing. While there are many different styles of kickboxing, American kickboxing uses both the hands and feet and mainly involves punching, kicking, and some footwork (via Healthline). If you're looking to learn how to start kickboxing, many gyms and martial arts studios offer kickboxing classes you can take on a weekly basis. While some gyms and studios provide kickboxing gear at each class, others will require you to purchase them on your own.

Although each class is different, some standard kickboxing gear includes gloves, hand wraps, ankle wraps, headgear, shin guards, and a mouthguard. If you're new to kickboxing, it's important to ease into the sport so you don't accidentally injure yourself. Many newbies start with an hour-long class up to three times per week. Just make sure you remember to take a water bottle with you so you can stay hydrated, per Greatist.

While kickboxing may seem intimidating at first, it can actually be a lot of fun. Not to mention, it's a great way to work up a sweat and get into shape. "Once people try it, they get excited," Taylor Merritt, an ACE-certified and on-demand trainer for Title Boxing, told Women's Health. "There's mental and physical benefits to boxing, but it's also easy to do regularly, because it's such fun." As it turns out, kickboxing is a full-body workout that can help strengthen muscles all over your body. That's because kickboxing uses your arms, legs, and core to create force.

As a result, it can also help you build strength and sometimes very quickly, according to Byrdie. That's because punching, kicking, and other similar moves engage the muscles in your arms, abs, glutes, shoulders, legs, and back. This can also help increase your speed and endurance. Furthermore, kickboxing can even help relieve stress and improve your mental health. According to Merritt, the "physical element of fighting back" can be empowering and help people build confidence (via Women's Health). This feeling of empowerment can help boost your mood and improve your outlook on life.