{{Short description|American martial art}} thumb|alt=Tae Bo|Tae Bo creator Billy Blanks, leading a class
'''Tae Bo''' is a body fitness system that incorporates martial arts techniques, such as stances, kicks and punches as well as traditional choreography. It became popular in the 1990s. This fitness system was developed by American taekwondo, karate, and boxing practitioner Billy Blanks.<ref name="nyt">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/21/style/mirror-mirror-punching-and-kicking-all-the-way-to-the-bank.html |title=MIRROR, MIRROR; Punching and Kicking All the Way to the Bank |last=Green |first=Penelope |date=March 21, 1999 |work=The New York Times |access-date=2009-06-18}}</ref> Such programs use the motions of martial arts at a rapid pace designed to promote fitness.<ref name="Tae-Bo or Not Tae-Bo">{{cite magazine|title= Tae-Bo or Not Tae-Bo?|magazine=Time|date=1999-03-15|url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,990437,00.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070427045059/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,990437,00.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= April 27, 2007|access-date=2010-12-21}}</ref> The name Tae Bo is a blend of '''tae'''kwondo and '''bo'''xing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsweek.com/1999/03/28/fighting-for-fitness.html |title=Fighting For Fitness |date=March 29, 1999 |work=Newsweek |access-date=20 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Kick-Boxing Craze: A new form of aerobic exercise has...|newspaper= The Los Angeles Times|date=1997-12-08|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-08-mn-61989-story.html|access-date=2010-12-21|first=Claire|last=Vitucci}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= On Top of the World|work= Inside Kung Fu|url= http://www.insidekung-fu.com/content/view/216/37/|access-date= 2011-02-11|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101216023357/http://www.insidekung-fu.com/content/view/216/37|archive-date= 2010-12-16}}</ref>
== History == Billy Blanks developed the routine in 1976 by combining dance with elements from his martial arts and boxing training to form a workout regimen.<ref name="nyt"/> During the 1990s, a series of videos was mass-marketed to the public; by 1999, an estimated 1.5 million sets of videos had been sold by frequently-aired television infomercials.<ref name="lat">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-mar-03-fi-13414-story.html|title=Tae-Bo Infomercial Kicks Up Success--and Legal Disputes|last=Collins|first=Scott|date=March 3, 1999|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2009-06-18}}</ref> As a result, Tae Bo became something of a pop culture phenomenon in the late 1990s. Gyms began offering kickboxing-based fitness classes similar to Tae Bo. Since Blanks had obtained a trademark on the name they were not allowed to use the term Tae Bo without paying a licensing fee.<ref name="nyt"/> Tae Bo videos and DVDs continue to rank among the top sellers in the fitness genre{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}} and derivative classes are still offered at many gyms.<ref name="Tae-Bo or Not Tae-Bo"/>{{Obsolete source|reason=Source is from 1999|date=February 2025}}
Tae Bo classes are taught worldwide.{{cn|date=January 2021}} The routines include many of the same punches and kicks as karate, but is not developed for any combat or self-defense activities.{{cn|date=January 2021}} There are no throws, grappling moves, or ground fighting techniques in Tae Bo. The only goal is to increase fitness through movement. Routines also include aerobic exercises intended to strengthen all muscles of the body with basic choreography. The high-intensity workout is intended to increase cardiovascular fitness, strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility.{{cn|date=January 2021}}
== Benefits == Tae Bo has been characterized as an excellent cardiovascular workout.<ref name="vanderbilt.edu">{{cite web|url=http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psychology/health_psychology/TAEBO.htm |title=Tae Bo: Fitness Craze or Effective Workout? |first=Natalie |last=Greer |website=vanderbilt.edu |access-date=2010-05-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507102349/http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psychology/health_psychology/TAEBO.htm |archive-date=May 7, 2010 }}</ref>{{better source needed <!-- perhaps one or more of the citations at the bottom of that page -->|date=January 2021}}
Due to the movements it involves, it can also improve one's balance, flexibility, and coordination. According to Blanks, the cardiovascular benefits are a result of the dance moves added to the already high-energy workout.<ref name="What are the Benefits of Tae Bo">{{cite web|url=http://www.livestrong.com/article/16440-benefits-tae-bo/| title=What are the Benefits of Tae Bo? |access-date=2010-05-03}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=January 2021}} An hour-long Tae Bo workout will burn 500 to 800 calories, compared with the 300 to 400 calories burned with a more conventional aerobics class.<ref name="vanderbilt.edu"/>
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:Physical exercise Category:Exercise organizations Category:Exercise-related trademarks Category:1990s fads and trends