Q: I recently heard about Kickboxing Exercise Fitness Kwando Workout. Can you tell me what Kwando means and if it is what you do with your kickboxing? ~MYH Member

A: Throughout the evolution of Group Fitness, there have been many different types of formats and fads. Kickboxing has opened up doors to a variety of options for gyms and instructors, as there are many different forms of martial arts.

Each fitness corporation has its own brand name to label their specific interpretation of kickboxing. Bally’s Total Fitness has a class that they have defined as Kwando, incorporating kickboxing, tae-kwon-do and karate. Kwando uses more repetitive movement. For example; a drill would have 16 knee strikes each leg, then eight, then four and then two. They use the same type of approach for punches and other kicks. This is fairly similar to Billy Blanks Tae-Bo. But be careful: Sometimes repetitive movement can be preformed too fast and can increase the possibility of injury.

I have chosen to teach TKB, a.k.a., Turbo Kick Box. TKB incorporates kickboxing, Mauy Thai Boxing, dance and Tai Chi. I like the variety of the class format and the tempo. There is more choreography and we, as instructors, have the option to take either an athletic or a dance approach.

I try to change it up every so often. Some nights we dim the lights and dance a little more and some nights we jump as high as we can and occasionally we add plyometrics.

Regardless of which gym, or even home DVD you choose to try, they will all have a little different feel to the workout. You want to consider any injuries you may have and of course check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise program. I would watch out for workouts that move too fast for you to be able to perform proper technique. Moving faster does not always mean you are burning more calories or working harder. Remember, use your core, work on the technique and use your muscles not momentum.