What is cardio kickboxing?

This workout borrows moves from martial arts to make participants work up a sweat. Cardio kickboxing hour-long classes generally take place in aerobics studio. An instructor leads the group through specific punches and kicks, usually to the beat of dance-club music. The moves are worked into rapidly executed combinations of jabs, cross punches, hooks, uppercuts, front kicks, side kicks and back kicks.

What are the benefits?

If you execute the punches with precision and power, you'll strengthen your upper body and eventually see more muscle definition. The kicks will strengthen your legs, especially the hamstrings. The kneeing movements will firm your abdominal muscles. Executing all moves correctly, will make your torso into a solid base that lets you do everyday tasks more easily - whether you're lifting a heavy box or closing open a window that always sticks.

Depending on the class routines, your cardiovascular system will benefit as well. Some instructors offer a truly aerobic workout -- they keep you bobbing, weaving, and jumping amidst the punches and kicks, so that your heart rate stays elevated for most of the session. Other instructors may not have you move around as much, focusing more on proper form. Either way, a good class will leave you drenched in sweat and energized.

Many people find kickboxing a great way to release stress. Taught not to hit each other, we're still animals with some natural aggression. You may find that planting your heel in the torso of a phantom foe 10 or 20 times leaves you feeling very relaxed.