|
|
|
|
|
|
TAE BO
Tae Bo is an aerobic exercise routine developed by tae kwon do practitioner Billy Blanks, and was one of the first "cardio-boxing" programs to enjoy commercial success. Such programs use the motions of martial arts at a rapid pace designed to promote fitness.
The name Tae Bo is a portmanteau of tae kwon do and boxing. Blanks later developed a backronym for the name as well; Total Awareness Excellence Body Obedience. Blanks developed the routine in 1989 by combining music with elements from his tae kwon do and boxing training to form an intense workout regimen. After some celebrities such as Paula Abdul started using Blanks as their personal trainer and a series of videos were mass-marketed to the public, Tae Bo exploded in popularity in the late 1990s. Many gyms rushed to offer kickboxing-based fitness classes similar to Tae Bo, and it was even mentioned in Train's hit single "Meet Virginia". Although the workout's status as a pop culture phenomenon was short-lived, it is not necessarily accurate to categorize the workout as a fad; Tae Bo videos and DVDs continue to rank among the top sellers in the fitness genre and derivative classes are still offered at many gyms.
Tae Bo classes are taught worldwide. Tae Bo includes many of the same punches and kicks as karate, but is not intended for fighting—it was not meant for any combat or self-defense applications. There are no throws, grappling moves, or ground fighting techniques in Tae Bo. Its only intent is to increase health through movement. Tae Bo also includes aerobic exercises, strengthening all muscles of the body with basic choreography.
The high-intensity workout has been shown to increase cardiovascular fitness, strength, muscular endurance and flexibility. Working all of their major muscles, participants of Tae Bo are challenged physically and mentally.
Recently, Blanks has offered a line of Tae Bo videos known as the "Believer's" series that introduce Christian elements such as prayer into the workouts. His secular workouts remain the most popular.
External links
|
|
|
|
|
|
|