Tae Bo is an exercise format developed by Billy Blanks, a fitness instructor and martial arts champion in tae kwon do and other martial arts, including karate. Blanks combined many of the basic moves and exercises of martial arts with traditional forms of exercise to create a fast calorie-burning workout program that can be performed by novice and experienced exercisers. Talk to your doctor before engaging in any new exercise program, especially if you're overweight, over 50 years old or have not exercised in a long time.
Motivation
Throughout every Tao Bo workout, Blanks offers basic motivation. It doesn't matter if you're overweight or in perfect condition. His motivational words, encouragement and his habit of speaking directly to the camera make you feel as if he's your personal trainer from start to finish.
Abs
Blanks' Tae Bo ab workout basics focus on twisting moves that slim the waistline. For example, a popular move is to stand with knees slightly bent and twist the upper torso from side to side, elbows close to the body and hands held in fists and close to the chin. Blanks works twists throughout his exercise routines. Twists not only slim the waistline, but also encourage spinal rotation and help tighten the abdominals.
Punches
Using techniques from boxing and martial arts, Tae Bo uses plenty of punching moves and techniques to strengthen and tone the upper body, arms and shoulders. Cross-body punches, jabs, uppercuts and invisible speed-bag punching and arm moves work the biceps, triceps, deltoids and trapezius muscles.
Lower Body
Kicking and leg lifts are performed in many Tao Bo workouts, from basic to advanced. For example, you can expect sidekicks commonly found in many martial art forms combined with front kicks, rear kicks and knee-to-opposite-shoulder leg lifts and knee touches. These types of exercises work the hips, buttocks, thighs and calves. Blanks encourages full body movement in his exercise routines to create firm and toned abs, thighs and buttocks.
Pace
Blanks' workouts offer basic moves done at a fast pace to help boost and increase your metabolism and get your blood pumping. Basic moves like punches, kicks or toe touches are done quickly in two to three sets of 20 or more to increase your heart rate and burn fat fast. Combining upper and lower body movements and exercises increases effect in toning and strengthening for an all-around and effective body workout. Use your own weight or intensity using resistance tubing or hand weights. Blanks developed several exercise accessories such as detachable handles filled with weights connected to exercise tubing for many of his more advanced workout routines.
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