At a glance:

• A fun and invigorating sport
• A highly effective way to get fit and toned
• Stress-relieving and confidence-boosting
• A different way to meet new people (why introduce yourself by shaking hands when you can exchange roundhouse kicks?)

Tell me some more:

Kickboxing is a contact sport which combines martial arts with boxing. It was concocted in Japan in the 1960s and is essentially a form of karate that the less zen-minded among us can get on board with. You can take it up competitively or purely as a means to fitness, but either way it will leave you energized and getting into tip-top condition.
The basic technique involves kicks, punches, jumps and blocks: this is not your usual gym workout! You’ll be shown the moves by trained professionals and can practice them on your own or with other learners. This is an intense sport, but rewarding on every level. The vigorous moves allow you to let off steam and feel like a superhero, with the added bonus of the burnt-off calories.

Is it really for me?

Don’t you want to be a superhero? Okay, flashy moves aside, kickboxing really is a very efficient way of getting fit. The kicks and the punches combine to create a demanding workout which gets results, and the trainers are there to encourage you and help you work at your own pace. Obviously it’s an intense sport which requires precision and skill, but even beginners can enjoy the benefits. Kickboxing is for people who have tried the gym and are now looking for something more challenging and exciting, or for a more sociable alternative. Or, you might be thinking about taking up regular exercise but afraid that you’d never use your gym membership. Kickboxing is stimulating enough to ensure that you’ll never want to miss the class, and once you start seeing the results (improved balance, flexibility, stamina, endurance, muscle tone, need I go on…) you’ll be inviting your friends to come along too.

What else do I need to know?

Dress: Wear comfy trainers and loose clothes – remember, you’ll be kicking and punching in all directions.

Cost: Free with TasterLab.com (normal cost between £10 and £15 per class).

Great for: Improving your stamina, strength and muscle tone. You’ll also meet lots of new people: you can bond over a few kicks and jabs, and then go for an after-class drink. Perfect.

Other people that tried this taster, also tried : Fitness Bootcamp and Funsports