I've been training women of all shapes and sizes for years. Many people would probably assume they train cardio kickboxing or martial arts to protect themselves and stay healthy. However I found the majority of women wanted to join my class for aesthetic reasons first and self protection a distant second. Cardio kickboxing and martial arts are a great way to tone your body. Just look at the chiselled bodies of boxers or UFC fighters. This has not gone unnoticed by women who are now enrolling in martial arts classes in large numbers. This workout for women is fast paced, exciting and fun.

Most people follow aerobic together with flexibility exercises. However in my classes I make sure the workout consists of the following: stretching, aerobic, strength / plyometrics, kickboxing drills, and abdominal work. Combine all these elements you have a balanced workout for women. All these drills can be accomplished without weights. Instead you can use bodyweight exercises to start with. Push ups, leg squats, abdominal crunches and lunges are just some of the exercises you can do to develop the muscles in your body.

A popular question I often get from my female clients is how can I slim, tone, and firm my butt? The most popular exercises among trainers are the usual squat and lunges with or without weights. They are great exercises but I like to do something a little different and stay true to the martial arts side of the workout. This adds a little uniqueness and spice to my workout for women.

One of the drills I like to use in my cardio kickboxing workout for women is the butt roundhouse back kick drill. It is one of the best drills to slim and tone the buttocks:

1). Start by kneeling on the floor with both your hands and knees touching the ground.

2). We are going to work with your right leg first. Keeping your left knee and both hands on the floor you are going to raise your right knee off the ground & perform a kick out to the side of your body then retract it back you without placing your knee back to the floor.

3). Immediately you are going to take the same right leg and kick straight back as high as you can and bring it back to your body without placing your knee back to the floor. Now kick out to the side again, bring it back to your body, followed by a kick back. Repeat steps 1 -2 for 1 minute and 30 seconds.

4). Once complete you will perform the exercise on the left leg for 1 minute and 30 seconds.

You should feel a good burn on both the right and left side of your glutes after you have completed the exercise. This is one of many different ways you can firm up the glutes.It can be done anywhere during your free time.

Train safe and I will talk to you next time!