Martial arts workouts are back for Round 2
By Kat Carney
CNN Headline News
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Billy Blanks' new "Tae Bo Flex" exercise video.
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(CNN) -- In the 1990's, Billy Blanks burst onto the consumer fitness scene with a high-energy cardiovascular form of exercise he called Tae Bo.
The classes featured a blend of martial arts-inspired moves like kicking and punching set to music. Soon gyms from coast-to-coast were offering their own version of the workouts.
But just like any other consumer trend, club-style martial arts classes soon became old hat as the popularity pendulum swung in the direction of more mellow forms of exercise like yoga and pilates.
Now it's time for Round 2 as Blanks, and other instructors, kick and punch their way back into the ring with some interesting variations on old moves.
Home fitness enthusiasts will also be able to indulge their desire to kick and punch their way fit with the new "fusion-style" exercise videos hitting stores just in time for the holidays.
Fans of the "mini-trampoline" may be interested in Urban Rebounding's "Kick Bound" and "Box and Bound", while die-hard Tae Bo fans should check out the new "Tae Bo Flex" from Billy Blanks, which requires participants to hold specific moves in a flexed position for an extended period of time.
If considering a club-style martial arts class, the American Council on Exercise reminds exercisers to ask about the qualifications of the instructor, remember to warm up adequately, and if you're a beginner, focus on form before attempting to do the more difficult moves.
