Using Capoeira To Lose Weight

Posted by Seu Felipe on May 15th, 2011 at 05:14pm

Weight Loss and Capoeira

There are so many diet trends these days, that it is easy to get discouraged when it comes to which one to choose. Everywhere you look there seems to be some new technique, method, diet, or boot camp designed to kick your assets while you shed the pounds. But what about Capoiera?

I have seen Capoeira moves performed (very badly) by "fitness gurus", but it is only part of some other type of weight loss system, and not only using Capoeira by itself. So the question is, can you use Capoeira, (and only Capoeira) to lose weight?

Well I think the answer is Yes… kind of.

For the most part, Capoeira is an aerobic form of movement, meaning that you do get your heart rate up, and can easily build up a serious sweat.

I've seen many super fit guys who train Capoeira religiously. They have bodies like Adonis, with every muscle being proportionate to each other. But I also see quite a lot of fat guys who play, and the truth is, they are really fit also. Some of these guys can flip, back bend, and kick forever. Yet they still have on a few extra pounds.

So what is the difference between the two types of bodies?

Well I believe that some people are genetically programmed that way. I for one have been super skinny all of my life. I could eat and eat and eat, and still weigh the same. Other folks don't have such a high metablism. They could eat 1 single french fry, and tomorrow wake up 5 pounds heavier.

What type of body do you have?

If you do have a slower metablism, don't fret, you can still use Capoeira to lose weight. You just might have to alter your routine.
 

For one, you might want to do a faster ginga.

Set a timer for 20 minutes, or even easier, make a playlist with enough songs on it to equal 20 minutes. And start to ginga. Make sure that you do not do a lazy ginga, but make it strong, and fairly fast. If you still have a bunch of energy, reset your timer for another 20 minutes, and this time, do just kicks, or dodges, or just work on your movement. Just make sure that you do this for the entire 20 minutes.

You see, the actual Capoeira game is usually very short. A Regional game might only last a few seconds, and even though an Angola game might be a few minutes, it still is not enough by itself to make you lose the weight that you desire.

Cross Training

Other Capoeiristas that I know go jogging, swimming, or some other aerobic activity a few times a week to make sure that they are doing enough to keep the weight off.

No matter what you do, if you can keep it fun and interesting, and make it apart of your regular routine instead of something you think about only after the holidays, you can successfully use Capoeira to help loose weight.

Tags: Capoeira, Loss, Weight

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