I'm a big Cathe Friedrich fan and I really love two of her kickboxing DVDs: Kick, Punch & Crunch and MMA Kickbox. Thy are available via download from her website which is super-convenient. I wear weighted gloves, but Cathe doesn't in the videos.

Great workout! Love kickboxing. Burns calories like crazy and fun.

I used to love it! I haven't been since I had kids but I bet you'd have more fun at a class than with a DVD. (Of course, you probably don't have time to go out to a class, but try it!)

Anonymous wrote:I've heard it's a great workout but I'm 49 and terribly out of shape. Is it even worth giving it a shot?

I did a beginner bootcamp and there were women of all sizes and ages and fitness levels. It is tiring though and a few dropped out as they were unprepared to really sweat and push themselves.

Anonymous wrote:Do you need your own boxing gloves or do the kickboxing places provide them? Where do you purchase them - Sports Authority? Are they all pretty much the same or can anyone recommend a specific brand?

13:13 here. We didn't use boxing gloves. We punched pads with bare fists. Well, most of the class bought wraps a couple classes in as our knuckles were getting beat up!

It's an intense workout but after you get through the fun but brutal class, you'll feel great. Sports Authority and Modells sell gloves and you can find them online but most places will have gloves you can borrow for the first class. They come in different weights so you may want to try a class prior to investing in some gloves.

I've heard it's a great workout but I'm 49 and terribly out of shape. Is it even worth giving it a shot?

Do you need your own boxing gloves or do the kickboxing places provide them? Where do you purchase them - Sports Authority? Are they all pretty much the same or can anyone recommend a specific brand?

The new Jillian Michaels kickboxing DVD is very challenging IMO.

13:13 here sorry I lost 8 lbs in 1 month, not 2!!

I lost 8 lbs in 2 months from starting kickboxing. It is an incredible workout. I didn't get the same intensity at home. At the gym the instructor pushes you for maximum effort on every punch / kick

Does anyone have a home video recommendation?

LOVE IT!!! Lost 40 lbs after my 2nd and am in the best shape I've ever been! My stamina, endurance, energy...everything's increased. I take a class called Turbo Kick, which is formatted around HIIT (high intensity interval training). You can find a class near you at: http://www.turbokick.com/index.php?content=search

If you're in MoCo, Studio X in Gaithersburg offers this class Tues/Thurs nights. A few of the Fitness First clubs offer it to.

It is super fun and will whip you into shape. Sadly I am not currently doing this type of workout but am looking forward to when I can again. Punching and kicking is also great stress relief.

I need to lose 30 lbs. and diet alone is not working. Am out of shape but a friend suggested we take up kickboxing. Is is it a fun workout and can I do it since I'm not athletic or coordinated? Thanks!