Tae-Bo combines martial arts and aerobics into a fitness program. Created by Billy Blanks, fitness expert and winner of 36 gold medals, the exercise program burns calories and blasts fat as well as increases your cardio, strength and fitness levels. Each Tae-Bo workout is set to upbeat music which engages the user in a high energy atmosphere throughout the session. Tae-Bo exercises include squats, punches and kicks.
Learn the Basics
In order to experience the health benefits of Tae-Bo, it is important to learn the correct workout forms and basic moves. The introductory DVD workout of the Tae-Bo program is called "This is Tae-Bo." Perfect for beginners as well as those who are curious to learn more about the program, the DVD includes a tutorial lead by Blanks, which introduces Tae-Bo basic moves as well as a one-hour workout that puts all the moves together. It is important to view this DVD first as some beginners may find the speed and tempo of the Tae-Bo workouts may be too intense.
Burn Calories
Many of Banks' Tae-Bo workouts are known to torch a lot of calories. The workout program found in "Tae-Bo Insane Abs" and "Cardio Inferno," for example, claims to burn up to 800 calories or more. The focus of this DVD is on strengthening upper body and core strength as it incorporates workouts using free weights. According to Blanks, the high intensity tempo of the workouts improve your cardiovascular health, which helps amp up your metabolism for weight loss, as well as tone muscles.
Cardio
Replace traditional cardio workouts, such as running on a treadmill, with those featured in the "Cardio Inferno," "Cardio Explosion" and "Cardio Sculpt Tae-Bo" workout programs. "Cardio Sculpt" features a boot-camp like workout program that work your abdominals, arms and glutes. "Cardio Explosion" incorporates brand new kickboxing and boxing moves, kicks and jumps into a challenging workout program. For experienced Tae-Bo users, "Cardio Inferno" features high intensity workouts that include jabs, roundhouse kicks and jumping jacks.
Exercise Caution
According to a "Time Magazine" article, some fitness experts express that Tae-Bo may be too intense for some beginners. An editor at "Shape Magazine" points out the exercise series does not provide an adequate amount of time to warm up while other experts claim the difficulty of maintaining proper form throughout the fast-paced workouts. A user of the fitness DVD may easily injure themselves should they perform the exercise incorrectly or overuse their muscles. Always warm up before a workout as well as maintain the suggested proper form. As with any changes to your health and diet, it is important to speak with your doctor prior to starting a new fitness program.
Member Comments