Burn 300 Calories in 22 Minutes!
You’ll need: A 10- to 15-pound kettlebell ($30 and up).
The plan: Warm up for five minutes (shadowbox, jump rope—you decide). Then do each three-move round, performing every exercise for one minute. Take a one-minute breather between rounds. Try the sizzle session three times a week on nonconsecutive days.
ROUND 1
Sideshow
WORKS: abs, butt, thighs
Stand with feet staggered, right leg in front, holding kettlebell horns at chest. Rotate torso to left as you bring left knee toward right elbow (as shown). Return to start. Repeat quickly on opposite side. Continue for 1 minute.
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Tip-top Toner
WORKS: arms, abs, butt, thighs, calves
Stand on tiptoes, holding kettlebell upside down by horns at chest; squat (as shown). Stay on tiptoes and stand, straightening arms overhead, then lower kettlebell behind head until forearms are parallel to floor. Reverse movement to return to start. Continue for 1 minute.
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Liftoff
WORKS: shoulders, arms, back, abs, butt, thighs
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding horns at chest. Lunge left leg back, raising arms overhead (as shown). Stand, kicking left leg forward as you lower arms to chest. Return to lunge. Continue for 30 seconds. Switch sides; repeat.
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ROUND 2
Low and Go
WORKS: shoulders, arms, back, abs, legs
Stand with feet wider than hip-width apart, toes out, holding horns at chest. Squat, lowering arms toward floor, then step left leg back and to right as you extend arms overhead (as shown). Return to squat. Switch sides; repeat. Continue, alternating sides, for 1 minute.
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Thigh Thinner
WORKS: thighs, butt, calves
Stand with feet hip-width apart, toes out, holding horns at chest. Lift left heel off floor, then squat (as shown). Return to start. Switch sides; repeat. Continue, alternating sides, for 1 minute.
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Whittling Warrior
WORKS: abs, butt, legs
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding kettlebell horns at chest. Lunge back with left leg. Stand, bringing left thigh parallel to floor. Bend forward, lowering arms toward floor, extending left leg behind you until parallel to floor (as shown). Return to start. Switch sides; repeat. Continue, alternating sides, for 1 minute.
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ROUND 3
Plank Kick-out
WORKS: shoulders, arms, chest, abs
Start in plank with right hand on kettlebell. Hold plank as you extend left foot to right side at a 45-degree angle (as shown). Return to plank. Switch sides; repeat. Continue, alternating sides, for 1 minute.
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Butt-firming Bridge
WORKS: butt, arms, chest, back, abs
Sit with knees bent, feet flat, back at a 45-degree angle, holding horns at chest. Lower your back to floor, then lift hips until body forms a straight line as you extend arms overhead to floor (as shown). Return to start. Continue for 1 minute.
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Chiseling Circle
WORKS: abs, butt, legs
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding horns at chest. Step right leg back and to left, then explode upward, swinging leg (as shown) in a circle. Return to start. Switch sides; repeat. Continue, alternating sides, for 1 minute.
The Decline Pushup to Side Crunch is a full-body exercise designed to challenge your upper-body and core.
Kickboxing Benefit #1: Reduce Stress
You can kick and punch your way to a stress-free zone within minutes of your high-energy kickboxing routine. The movements in kickboxing challenge several core muscle groups and will give you a total body workout, fast.
Kickboxing Benefit #2: Boost Confidence Levels
According to Dr. Rose Windale of Healthzine.org, kickboxing helps you release endorphins which will give your mood a boost and help you feel more confident. Endorphins will also make you feel happier and more positive for several hours after the workout.
Kickboxing Benefit #3: Improved Coordination
If you’re suffering from posture problems and have poor coordination, you can strengthen your ‘core’ and improve your reflexes and coordination skills. The speedy punches and kicks in the kickboxing routine will give you a chance to focus your energy to execute each movement successfully.
Kickboxing Benefit #4: Burn Mega Calories
Muscle and Fitness Magazine reports that fitness kickboxing can burn over 800 calories per hour, and you’ll be toning up your entire body as you rev up your metabolism. It’s a high-power cardio routine that’s great for weight loss and getting you in shape, fast. (Source: CKOKickboxing.com)
Kickboxing Benefit #5: Ideal Cross-Training Workout
If you’ve been pounding on the treadmill for several weeks and need a break from your usual cardio routine, kickboxing is the perfect cross-training workout. You can add some weights by wearing wrist weights or ankle weights, or just putting on a pair of lightweight boxing gloves for extra resistance. Just one or two routines a week can help you break out of a fitness rut, fast.
Kickboxing Benefit #6: Energy Boost
Kickboxing is a high-energy cardio routine that will give your body and mind a boost, and will increase your energy levels. You’ll be breathing hard and sweating out toxins; this process will give your energy levels a much-needed boost.
Kickboxing Benefit #7: Better Posture
If you’re hunched over a computer all day, kickboxing workouts will challenge many muscle groups that don’t get enough attention throughout the day, and you’ll start to build up your core. Core muscles in around your abdominal wall are targeted with kickboxing routines because you need to use your waist and abs for balance, and to execute each carefully coordinated move.
Kickboxing workouts offer several benefits for your body and mind, and are a great choice for getting out of a fitness rut. Whether you’re a fitness fanatic or just getting started with a workout routine, kickboxing can help you reach your fitness goals.
