46 In-spire
LS
With this issue, I feel to do something a little bit
different to what I usually do. Instead of simply listing
the pros and cons of this chosen fitness regime, I will
also give you a brief insight into the exercise. Not only
in terms of what parts of the body it works but also
highlighting how the fitness phenomenon started.
What is Tae-Bo?
Tae-Bo is a class which combines the elements of
martial arts with aerobics, choreographed to hip-hop
music. The term `Tae-Bo' is Korean, and it relates to the
kicks and lower body part of the workout. `Tae' mean
foot or leg, and `Bo' means hand, which relates to the
upper body part of the work out. The Martial Arts form
that it is based on is the traditional Korean form, known
as Tae Kwon Do.
The Origin of Tae-Bo
Tae-Bo was created by a man called Billy Blanks, in
1975, and is still a very popular choice of exercise by
many individuals around the world. It began with his
study of Karate and Taekwondo to help overcome a
birth defect of the hip joints. As his abilities grew, his
disability dwindled. Later he added boxing moves and
dance to the martial arts routines and the result became
Tae Bo as we know it today. Even though Tae Bo was
an excellent cardiovascular workout, it also helped
people to tone up, improve their flexibility, balance and
co-ordination besides burning calories and thwarting
osteoporosis. As a whole body workout, Tae-Bo is
fantastic exercise program that helps people pick up the
pace when it comes to losing weight.
The cons of Tae-Bo
· I haven't found many disadvantages of the class, however; it sounds like it could be quite heavy on the knee
joints with some of the movements.
· The choreography can be challenging at first, and it is only after a few session that you can say "you've got it".
· As with any high-impact aerobics exercise, Tae-Bo places stress on the body. Also, if done incorrectly, Tae-Bo
can do extensive, long-lasting damage to your muscles. Though, by starting out slowly and progressing gradually,
you can help reduce these negative possible negative effects.
The Pros & Cons of
Tae-Bo
Words by Alex Renaud @xander29_pt
In-spire LS
Fitness