O.k., most of us will never grace the covers of a fitness magazine, but we like to be in shape or some reasonable facsimile of it. WE also understand that we have to participate in some sort of cardiovascular activity to improve ourselves.

So, what does the martial artist do? Cardio Kickboxing! This has enough of the elements of the martial arts, and unlike other cardio classes and you can look much cooler doing that instead of yoga. No offense to the yoga folks.

If performed at a good pace, Cardio kickboxing can produce a much higher level of calorie burn than the average aerobics class, but here is the down side, you have to work it.

Like most quality martial artists you cross train. Everyone knows that you have to be well versed in the different ranges of attack. If you don’t know this, please find an art that you have no idea about and challenge one of the senior students to spar. This should clear up all of your questions. Getting back, you would not go into your “new” art and act like you know everything already.

Most of us wouldn’t dream of walking into a new martial arts studio and act like we know it all. Just because you may have a few medals and trophies in your closet does not make you knowledgeable. Unfortunately, most martial artist will walk into a Cardio kickboxing program and become “superior “ to the aerobic instructor that is teaching the class.

They may make fun of the way the instructor kicks or how weak their punches look in comparison to some of the shots they can throw , but then the class starts and they find out that the instructor leaves them all but behind in cardiovascular fitness.

Yes, you just got your butt handed to you by a little instructor with probably no martial experience. Try to leave with a small amount of dignity. I am very fortunate. I am a rarity, I am a martial artist and I am a certified Cardio boxing instructor. I am also a tad bigger than the majority of people who attend my class, but I was as guilty as anyone in thinking that when I first started Cardio kickboxing that it would be easy, I mean it couldn’t be any more difficult than a sparring class. Right? Wrong-o, my friend.

In a sparring class you know there are certain people you can “lay back” on. In a cardio-kickboxing class you are working with the instructor. In front of God and everyone. There are very few places you can hide. (Those Damn mirrors!!) The instructor will generally take two water breaks and keep you moving the entire time in between. It is a tough class.

There are various forms of Cardio-boxing. Try out several instructors. Some will be tougher than others. Picking a Cardio kickboxing instructor can be as time consuming as picking out a martial arts instructor. Go with someone you like. You will be more apt to participate if you like the person teaching the class.

Things to look for;

Try to check the instructor out. What I mean is their credentials. Kickboxing is like the martial arts in that there is a certification process. After saying that I would remind you that sometimes certifications can be less than they are cracked up to be.

We all know people that are brilliant when it comes to scholarly things, but they could choke themselves on a cordless phone. Just a note; certification is not all you should look at!!! Talk to some of the people in the class. Ask them how the instructor rates in comparison to other instructors they may have worked with, Have there been any injuries and if so , how did it happen? Does this instructor answer questions about techniques? Are all of your needs and goals being met? Did the instructor ask what your goals are?

Ask questions that will make you feel comfortable taking classes with this individual, but ask informative questions not authoritative questions. Note: informative questions help to answer questions. Authoritative questions challenge an individual’s authority. Know the difference!

Drink water! I know, I know, but some people believe that proving they can go a long time without the element that makes up over 70% of your body makes you tough. I will say that if it makes you weak (i.e. It is all you think about during a workout) then that is a negative thing and you need to suck it up. Water is to your body what oil is to a car. Very few people would drive their car without oil. Some will push past that point when they should change their oil but that is another story, ladies.

Conclusion For God’s sake have fun! The whole reason group fitness is so big is because we have trouble motivating ourselves to workout on our own. It is so much easier to look next to you and see someone struggling just as much as you and think to yourself “ if they can do it, so can I.” You will be tired. You will be sweaty.

Jemal Crisp is a Certified Cardio Kickboxing Instructor who is also a 2nd Dan at the Midwest Academy of TKD in Chicago Illinois. He also is very knowlegable about vitamins, supplements and all those pills that help you to lose weight and feel heathly.