Cardio kickboxing turns educational

Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor Ruth Beelitz teaches cardio kickboxing at the Morris Recreation Center. Cardio kickboxing is upbeat, high speed exercise with an educational element.

Beelitz received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in health/kinesiology from A&M-Commerce. After working in Paris, Texas, for some time, Beelitz came back to her alma mater to teach classes such as kickboxing.

"My background [in kickboxing] is more of watching and learning from other instructors along with some things I already knew and combining them to make it my own class," she said. "My brothers and I grew up with a punching bag in our garage and I used it quite often."

Beelitz said she has taken many kickboxing classes to learn how to put combinations together and break them down when teaching. She likes kickboxing in particular because it is never redundant.

"You are never in too great of shape to get an awesome workout in the class," Beelitz said. "It's very high energy and I have a high energy personality, so I get really excited and hyped up with the fast paced music and intense workout. I know that when I am energized and leading the class, it motivates them to try harder."

Junior public relations major Brianna Jackson is a participant in Beelitz's cardio kickboxing class.

"I love Ruth," Jackson said. "I love that she is tough, but not brutal or demeaning. My favorite part is the kicking. I like that I'm getting this high-cardio workout for 50 minutes."

According to Beelitz, her main goal in teaching this class is for everyone to have fun and leave with a feeling of accomplishment.

"I don't want anyone to leave and say they didn't enjoy their experience or feel as though they weren't challenged," she said.

According to Beelitz and Jackson, the kickboxing class is intense, challenging and fast-paced. It is different than yoga, pilates or any other stereotypically feminine workouts, yet, no men participate in the class.

"I think this is due to men thinking it is just an aerobic class," Beelitz said. "If they knew we did a lot of bag work, strength training and abdominal exercises, then they might be more inclined to give it a try."

Sophomore Will Lian works out regularly, but, like most men, has never tried the cardio kickboxing class.

"I try to lift weights every other day," Lian said. "Each day, I hit a certain muscle group with free weights."

According to Beelitz, Lian is like most men when it comes to working out. He focuses on strength training rather than aerobic exercise. Men sometimes assume that exercise classes are only aerobics and therefore never think to try them.

"I haven't really heard much about the kickboxing class," Lian said, "but it sounds interesting. I would guess more women are in the class for self-defense and protection."

Beelitz said self-defense is one aspect of the course.

"I would definitely say that participants are learning self-defense skills in this class," she said. "On every move, I tell the class to picture their opponent and where they are trying to hit them."

Cardio kickboxing is offered every Tuesday at the Morris Recreational Center from 5:30 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. For more information, contact the front desk at 903-468-3172.