The Side Kick (or Roundhouse Kick) - Eights & Weights Video

Let's continue our exercise videos with more lower body stuff. This week, we have the roundhouse kick (aka the side kick). I like kicks because they involve both power and repetitive motion, allowing your body to burn calories and build muscles at the same time. And we all know I love my lower body exercises.

Instructions:

• Bend into a high squat with both feet parallel to each other and hip wide.
• Rotate your left foot to lift off the floor and come forward while you maintain a bend in your knee.
• Extend your lower left leg with some power like you are kicking something on your right side (not your front).
• If there was someone standing in front of you, you would be kicking their left arm with your left shin.

Confusing? Watch the video! Made just for you :)

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Roundhouse Kicks

So I'm always talking about squats (which by now I'm certain you must hate) because they work out your booty and inner thighs. And who doesn't want thighs firm enough to crush a watermelon? Well, there are other great exercises that can give you great thighs and shapely legs as well. One of those exercises is the roundhouse kick.

Okay, so I stole this from kickboxing. But I love boxing and kickboxing moves because they work out so many more muscles than we initially imagine. Though it is a kick, because you have to take a certain stance and control the position of your upper body, you are also working your abs. This move is actually originally from martial arts. You see this in every combat video game, and we've associated Chinese action stars with how high they can kick.

So enough chat. How do you do the roundhouse kick? Keep your feet about hip width apart and your arms in a boxing stance. Stay strong on your left foot, and lift your right foot as high as your hips facing the right side. Kick with that foot while still keeping your upper body in a boxing stance. One full rep is a kick and then pull your knee back in.

A picture is worth a thousand words :)

 

This is a fun piece to incorporate into your workout routine. Do as many reps as you possibly can without breaking your posture or getting shaky. Switch legs. You should be feeling this big time in your butt and legs.

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Photo credit: physical-arts.com