Exercise routines come in many forms and most have various pros and cons. It is important to find one that will inspire you to stay consistent for the best results. Tae Bo is a high-energy, intense workout. There is a large collection of DVDs featuring workouts for all levels, and many gyms offer Tae Bo classes, making the workout easily accessible. Consult with your doctor before starting any new exercise routine to make sure you are healthy enough to perform the routine effectively.
History
Tae Bo began when creator Billy Blanks added dance moves to his tae kwon do workout. Blanks took his new workout method to Los Angeles in 1989, where he taught classes out of his garage. Once word got out about his exciting and new approach to workout classes, celebrities such as Paula Abdul joined in. Blanks was quickly able to open the Billy Blanks World Training Center in Sherman Oaks, California, where his following grew extensively. A series of home workouts on VHS and DVD soon followed.
Cardio Benefits
Tae Bo is similar to cardio kickboxing in that sets of kicks and punches are performed with little rest between sets. It is likely that you will burn between 350 and 450 calories in a one hour Tae Bo class, making the workout as efficient as running or cardio machines such as the elliptical trainer.
An added bonus of Tae Bo or other martial arts-based classes is the ever-changing focus of the exercises. As Richard Cotton, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise notes, "The variety of movements found in martial arts-based workouts may be enough to pique the interest of the easily bored and keep them working out for the long run."
Total Body Workout
Focusing only on your problem areas is not as effective as training your entire body, according to the American Fitness Professionals and Associates. Tae Bo, like other cardio kickboxing-focused workouts, works the entire body by adding resistance training to your cardio workout.
Many practitioners of Tae Bo and similar workouts find that their coordination is improved, they are more toned overall and their upper body strength is increased. Weight loss also is reported with faithful class attendance.
Considerations
Tae Bo usually provides an intense workout, but if you are new to total body workouts, you will find it challenging to do all of the exercises with maximum effort. You might want to build your fitness level up through running and traditional strength training before attempting to fit Tae Bo into your regular routine.
Many beginners make common mistakes such as overextending their kicks, which can lead to injury. A private consultation with an instructor can help you understand the basics of form before you start, lessening your risk of injury.
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