I've been taking kickboxing twice a week for nearly 3 months. It has been intense and rewarding. The thai kickboxing workouts push your cardio that's for sure. Even though I am a rookie they make me sweat like a sauna!

The muaythai kickboxing workout begins by lining up in the gym facing our teacher called a Kru. We exchange bows, and he begins the warmup. We begin with jumping rope.

As crazy as this may sound, I found jumping rope to be incredibly challenging. I started with 25 extra pounds around my waist, and perhaps my co-ordination was a little off. The rope is covered in hard plastic, plus I'm barefoot and the rope would smack my toes and it really stings!

I learned quick by using a Tony Robbins technique called modeling. I studied the class veterans as they jumped rope to see if I could keep up. Sometimes I could go 25-30 skips in a row before I would hit my head or toes. But after 3-4 weeks I got the hang of it. We skip rope in the muaythai kickboxing workouts until we begin to breathe heavily and sweat, maybe 7 to 10 minutes.

Then comes the tortuous part, the cardio conditioning. Every kickboxing class has a different routine. Sometimes we do burpees, sometimes hillclimbers, always lots of squats, jumping squats, pushups and the like. For the old timers it's like a real intense session of calesthetics.

After cardio we generally drill technique for 20 to 25 minutes. And like the cardio, technique training varies from class to class. Nearly every class we work our thai kicks onto the thai pads that your partners hold. Often we work punching combinations. We work routines like tepe kick, 4 punch combo then left inside thai kick. I really enjoy the variety, it keeps the training from becoming routine or dull.

The class always ends the same way...with pain...usually abdominal pain. You lie on your back on the hard mat covered floor, and lift just your legs until they are vertical up in the air. Your partner stands at your head, facing your feet. Your training partner pushes on your feet, forcing your legs back down to the floor. You raise your legs again to vertical and the partner pushes them back down...this goes on for 4 straight minutes. Your abs are screaming after 1, weeping after 2, and generally are nearing failure before the session ends. Then you get to torture your partner!

I still have at least 12 pounds of bodyfat to drop, but I feel outstanding! My energy is amazing, I'm resting so much better at night and I love kickboxing. I highly recommend muay thai kickboxing workouts for anyone serious about getting into top shape! You can do it at home with a dvd, no gym required.

Yoshi Kundagawa is manager at MartialArts3000.com and a freelance writer. Imagine getting in the best shape of your life with the latest Kickboxing DVD at http://www.martialarts3000.com/fitnesskickboxingdvd.html