Kick ass - literally
Even better, the American Council on Exercise - which sets the standards for fitness worldwide - recently reported that the average hour-long combat-style class burns 450 calories. If this kind of hardcore exercise suits you, there are plenty of martial arts classes to choose from.
Karate The English translation of the Japanese word Karate means 'empty hand,' a nod to the fact that karate teaches you to fight unarmed.
Karate is a form of self-defense that relies on tremendous power from the legs and abdominal muscles. Most classes last over an hour and incorporate a full range of fitness disciplines from stretching to punching and kicking and - once you've mastered the basics - some sparring with a partner. You don't have to be physically strong to take up Karate but your strength and overall muscle tone will improve if you practice it. The emphasis is on speedy footwork and quick reaction time, so agility, balance and co-ordination will also get better as will your cardiovascular fitness.
Because Karate is a competitive sport it's not generally run as a fitness class. However, beginners are welcome at Karate clubs, and if you like it you'll be encouraged to work your way through the graded belt system.
For more information, contact English Karate on 01302 337645, The Karate Union of Great Britain on 0151 652 1208 or the Amateur Martial Arts Association on 0207 837 4406.
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