Kickboxing for Arthritis

While exercising can be difficult with arthritis, an inflammation of the joints, kickboxing can offer a safe and effective means of burning calories and improving mechanisms of the body that arthritis can negatively affect.

Significance

Kickboxing can burn a high amount of calories while improving balance and flexibility, two mechanisms that are important for people with arthritis.

Types

There are different types of kickboxing workouts. Standard kickboxing involves hitting heavy bags and pads along with sparring.Often this is for people who want to compete. Cardio kickboxing is kickboxing with the focus on calorie-burning.

Benefits

Cardio kickboxing is best for people with arthritis because it lacks the intense contact of regular kickboxing workouts and places less stress on the joints and bones.

Expert Insight

When performing cardio kickboxing with arthritis, avoid high-impact moves and stay within a comfortable range of motion.

Time Frame

It is best for people with arthritis to start at a 30 minute duration and progress up from there only if there is no pain in performing the routine.

References

• Benefits of Kickboxing
• "NASM Essentials for Personal Fitness Training"; Michael A. Clark, Ed., Scott C. Lucett, Ed., Rodney J. Corn, Ed.; 2008