Will Tae Bo Help Me Lose Weight?

Often described as a unique combination of martial arts, boxing and aerobics, Tae Bo can result in weight loss -- as will any intense aerobic activity -- if you remain diligent in your workout routine. But Billy Blanks, founding father of Tae Bo, describes weight loss as a mere side effect. This exercise is designed to give you strength and confidence. "Once you become mentally strong, all of a sudden, weight loss starts to happen," Blanks says.

Founder Billy Blanks

"Anybody can lose weight – all you have to do is stop eating," says Billy Blanks, the man responsible for creating Tae Bo. "For me, this workout teaches people how to communicate with their own bodies." Blanks began teaching classes in 1990 at his Tae Bo center in Sherman Oaks, California. Tae Bo's popularity took off soon after, spreading to other parts of the nation. Tae Bo, an acronym for "Total Awareness Excellent Body Obedience," also has a secondary meaning: "Tae" is the Korean word for "leg"; "Bo" was taken from the word "boxing." Blanks has worn other hats other than that of American fitness guru; he's a seventh-degree black belt in tae kwon do, as well as an action actor. Two of his more notable films include "The Last Boy Scout" and "Kiss the Girls." To date, Blanks has made more than 150 fitness DVDs.

Cardio-Kickboxing Connection

The word "Tae Bo" may allude to martial arts, and in fact, it does combine tae kwon do legwork -- such as roundhouse and side kicks -- with punches and jabs used in boxing. However, Tae Bo not a contact sport. Blanks, who has worked with children as young as 4 and seniors as old as 102, stresses that Tae Bo isn't an exclusionary activity, nor do you need prior training in martial arts or boxing. "Anybody can do the class," he says. Cardio-kickboxing classes offered at gyms and fitness centers are a direct offshoot of Tae Bo, says Tom Krausz, an Austin-based trainer with black belts in Kenpo karate and Tae Kwon Do. "Cardio-kickboxing is different to each instructor," he says. "Some keep the basic Billy Blanks approach, while some incorporate the use of heavy bags, dumb bells and plyometrics in the class."

Tae Bo Benefits

Putting you in charge is a refrain Blanks uses when describing the benefits Tae Bo offers compared to your average step aerobics or stationary cycling class. "When you first learn Tae Bo, you learn how to control your body," Blanks says. When instructing newcomers, Blanks offers participants an introductory program that teaches them basic Tae Bo concepts of arm and legwork and how to combine the two. "Once they get those key points, then we do the cardio workout before we add the music." Cardio -- short for cardio vascular conditioning -- is your body's ability to pump oxygenated blood back into your muscles so it can sustain prolonged activity, explains Krausz. Cardio makes those extra pounds melt away. But more important, cardio strengthens your heart, increases your stamina, enhances your mood, helps you sleep better and decreases your risk for serious health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and stroke.

Tips for Beginners

Wear loose, comfortable clothing that you don't mind getting sweaty, Blanks says. He suggests focusing on diet after you start your exercise program, re-examining portion sizes and cutting down on unhealthy foods, if needed. Tae Bo is a led class; whether you go to a group class or plug in one of Blanks' Tae Bo DVDs, there's an in-person or virtual instructor who guides you. Tae Bo encourages you to tap into how certain movements feel as you gain self-awareness, strength and flexibility. If you're new to Tae Bo, it's fine for you to take a breather when you need to, Blanks says. “If you go at your own pace, you learn how to do it your way," he adds. "Tae Bo can be as strenuous or lenient as you want. You’re still the boss."

Shape of the Union

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2009 that 26.7 percent of Americans suffer from obesity; results for 2007-2008 showed 16.9 percent of children and teens between ages 2 and 19 were obese. Blanks stresses the importance of looking at exercise as a vital component of your lifestyle. "When you say, 'Exercise to lose weight,' it turns people off, especially young kids," Blanks notes. Forget about weight loss and focus on becoming a better you, he advises. Once exercise is considered a self-awareness and communication tool, more people want to do it, he says.