Kickboxing for the unfit

[kickboxingpanda]

I need to make a serious change in my life as I'm ridiculously unfit and overweight. I can't even go up the stairs without finding it difficult It has been effecting my mobility, I now have exercise induced asthma and I'm sure exercising regularly would help my sleep and anxiety.

I haven't exercised properly in 14 years. In that time I've tried various types of exercise in that time but only last a few sessions before giving up. I'm either too unfit to keep up, I find it too hard, I'm too uncoordinated or It's too boring and I can't get into it. I've tried couch 2 5k, gym, kettlebells, yoga, at home videos, aerobics and various dance fitness classes and hockey. The only one I liked was hockey but I was too unfit to be able to keep up (10mins and I was almost collapsed on the floor unable to breathe) so it's on the back burner until I am at the right level to go back.

I've seen an ad for a local ladies only kickboxing class which I like the look of and the other benefits of kickboxing such as confidence and coordination appeal to me. I feel like I need something interesting, something where I go to class and with goals (like the gradings) are likely to keep me more motivated. I'm on a low income and it's very expensive so I want to be sure before I sign up as it will be a struggle but I will make it happen if it means I exercise regularly and see some of the other benefits.

Does anyone else do kickboxing? What do you like about it? How hard is it for unfit beginners? How interesting/varied is it? Any other advice or tips?

Hey OP
I love the sound of kick boxing!
I think to be Honest anything is going to be hard for unfit beginners, you will not know unless you try and stick at it for a few months to build yourself up
When I first started getting into fitness I was really unfit and scared with disabilities, so I emailed the place before hand to ask how they could help me and I have not looked back since! Love my gym workouts now! BUT it took me a while to get there it did not happen overnight.
So if I was you I would contact this place and ask them what you have asked here. They may be able to help you out, and if they know you a bit nervous will probably help you out I am sure. Most of these places I have found to be nice and welcoming so I hope they are the same for you
Good luck with it, it sounds really good and I am sure when you have done few weeks/months you will love it 👍

I did kickboxing when I was younger, I have never been so fit, I stopped coz I got full on flu and then couldn't face the fitness challenge again!
I really enjoyed it, but felt like I had been hit by a truck for the first few weeks/months, not from physical contact but from finding muscles I had never used.

I always imagine kickboxing as a pretty intense workout even if you’re fairly fit. I haven’t done kickboxing though so may be mistaken. A lot of these sorts of things will offer either a taster class or allow you to sit in and watch one class first to see if it is suitable for you. Might be worth asking before you sign up

I do kickboxing 3 times a week. I am 50, overweight and averagely fit. I love it! Sure, I can't kick as high and fast as the younger crowd (I'm also only 5ft 1) but I do what I can.

My arms and legs feel stronger, and I keep going simply because I enjoy it. Great stress relief too! I don't grade or spar as I know I am not that good.

Go for it, a good dojo will support you. Good luck.

I do standard boxing and utterly love it. I agree with the advice to ask the instructor your questions.

You can get kickboxing videos on YouTube - Joanna Soh has some.

If you're really unfit it might be best to start with something like Walk at Home with Leslie Sansone (on YouTube). Her videos have very encouraging hosts and it's free and you can build up from the there.