We chatted with two fitness experts to answer the question: Is kickboxing strength training or cardio?

Here’s what they had to say.

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Does Rowing Count as Strength Training?

Does that mean kickboxing counts as both strength and cardio?

woman sweating in the gym

an ACE-certified personal trainer and NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist

Does kickboxing count as strength training?

Lets start with the upsides.

Translation: When you challenge your body through exercise, you prompt it to adapt and become stronger.

Woman walking on a treadmill at the gym.

Youll work your legs and hips, too, but to a lesser degree.

However, the participants didnt show an increase in lower-body power.

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Full body female athlete in sportswear using rowing machine during fitness workout in gym.

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The TL;DR?

Happy woman dancing and listening to music near a green empty wall outdoor in the city.

an ACE-certified personal trainer and NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist

Kickboxing does promote positive changes in your musculoskeletal health, including increases in muscular strength.

However, I would not consider kickboxing strength training exclusively, Bellman says.

Ultimately, the goal of physical exercise is to improve your health and fitness while doing something you enjoy.

Healthy female training in the gym, performing a hip thrust.

If you enjoy kickboxing exercise, youre more likely to do it, and thats most important.

Grace Bellman, DPT, CSCS

Does kickboxing count as cardio?

In many cases, yes.

A young black woman doing post-run stretches in the park on the road amidst green grass and trees.

Researchers propose that variations in workout intensity may be behind the difference.

For starters, kickboxing can boost balance, coordination, mobility, and agility, Bellman says.

The practice often requires learning, practicing, and executing combinations of punches and kicks.

Though these perks may not get as much hype as cardio fitness or strength-building, theyre not consolation prizes.

This boost in self-confidence, ability to have fun, and desire to consistently advance keeps them coming back.

If you enjoy kickboxing exercise, youre more likely to do it, and thats most important.

Regardless of all the above, if you like kickboxing, its worth keeping it in your routine.

Muscles Ligaments Tendons J.

2014 Jul 14;4(2):106-13.

PMID: 25332919; PMCID: PMC4187584.

Aerobic and anaerobic power responses to the practice of taekwon-do.

Br J Sports Med.

2001 Aug;35(4):231-4. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.35.4.231.

PMID: 11477015; PMCID: PMC1724351.

Toskovic NN, Blessing D, Williford HN.

The effect of experience and gender on cardiovascular and metabolic responses with dynamic Tae Kwon Do exercise.

J Strength Cond Res.

2002 May;16(2):278-85.

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