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.
During the 1990s, some celebrities (such as Paula Abdul) started using
Blanks as their personal trainer and a series of videos were mass-marketed
to the public. As a result, Tae Bo became somewhat of a pop culture
phenomenon in the late 1990s. Gyms began offering kickboxing-based fitness
classes similar to Tae Bo. 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
intended to strengthen all muscles of the body with basic choreography.
The high-intensity workout is intended to increase cardiovascular fitness,
strength, muscular endurance and flexibility. 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.
Blanks is still currently active in fitness. In 2004 and 2005 he launched
another successful program called Billy Blanks BOOTCAMP. These videos dove
into combining original Tae Bo moves along with rigorous training he had
learned while visiting the troops overseas. Billy's Bootcamp Elite followed
the original Bootcamp with the addition and use of Bands. The bands which
wrap on your feet and hands create more resistance for a different workout.
Blanks has released a new line of videos, Tae Bo Amped, featuring "cardio
bursts," 30- to 60-second periods of more rapid movement for increased
calorie burn, and the use of a new Amplifier bar which adds resistance to
the workout.