Kicking up an exercise storm with 'taebo'

Kicking up an exercise storm with 'taebo'

By Agni Amorita

JAKARTA (JP): Dasrizal approached a girl among the sweaty
training pack in the compound of the Hilton Hotel Jakarta.

"Keep focused on your target," he told her as music blared in
the background. "The uppercut is aimed at your rival's chin, the
jab is for hitting the face, kicking aimed at the stomach and the
hook targeted for the chin."

A new boxing camp at the Hilton?

Although Dasrizal himself is a former lightweight boxer in
local tournaments, he was not coaching boxing. "It's called
cardiokick or cardiofit, a new version of a harmony between self-
defense techniques, exercise and dancing," Rizal, as he is
nicknamed, said.

These are the local names for the increasingly trendy taebo, a
name which cannot be used without a royalty being paid to
American boxer-turned-actor Billy Blanks, the inventor. He has
registered it under U.S. copyright. Taebo is getting popular here
along with other new self-defense inspired exercises like boot
camp, body sculpting, weight training, kick boxing and
"boxercise".

"Taebo is an aerobic activity in 45 minutes to 60 minutes by
combining a self-defense technique with dancing," continued
Rizal, the instructor technique coordinator in Lifespa.

"The self-defense technique is gathered from several martial
arts, including boxing, karate, tae kwon do, etc. Here we will
learn the hitting -- namely the jab, hook, uppercut, body move
and counter -- with kicking and dancing. The last one includes
the easywalk, grapevine, to mambo."

As a new sport, taebo is hitting the mark in popularity among
international famous faces. Blanks' popularity as martial arts
actor helped it greatly, and its impact is felt in Jakarta.
Famous local stars are known as lovers of various new self-
defense exercise, from actor Pierre Gruno, singer Titi DJ, to
actresses Kiki Fatmala and Venna Melinda. Kiki has opened her own
studio in the Fatmawati area, South Jakarta, to launch kick
boxing and taebo classes. Venna is following suit.

"Maybe it is because it sounds attractive and very
challenging," said Venna, the owner of a gym studio in Bintaro,
south of Jakarta. Kick-boxing classes are already part of the
routine and she has registered 20 women to start a taebo class
next week.

"Some women here think that kick boxing is a very manly sport
for them," Venna said. She believed people here would appreciate
the new innovative exercise class more.

"In sports, we quickly reach our boredom threshold so we must
be quick to modify things," Venna said. She said she worked on
the problem by putting demanding martial arts in a light aerobic
atmosphere.

"After doing the taebo exercise, they are recommended to take
the body language class for stretching the next day or even
salsa."

Venna offers a reduced price package from Rp 150,000 to Rp
400,000/month. The starting fee for attending three classes per
week with free options. For those only interested in taebo
classes, the cost is Rp 100,000 for eight classes.

The reduced price package is also offered by the new self-
defense exercise center in Red Top Apartment, Central Jakarta.

"In April we are offering an 'economic package' for only Rp
300,000/month to learn taebo, boot camp, kick-boxing or body
sculpting," said taebo trainer Anita Ferdinand.

"But taebo is the most popular, maybe because it's widely
known that taebo can burn up to 800 calories per hour," Anita's
counterpart, Indiyah, added.

If the correct martial arts technique is used, taebo can
strengthen the muscles in the arms, hip and stomach.

"It's focused on cardiovascular," explained Rizal who is
organizing taebo seminars across Java and Bali this month.

"Taebo creates flexibility and muscle speed, especially
abdominal muscles. But please be very careful in practicing it
because taebo is dangerous for ignorant of the right technique,
because of its very fast and hard movements."

He warned of the high risk of abdominal, elbow and knee
injuries if proper techniques were not followed.

"So, we have to learn it step by step. And once you do that I
guarantee you will get in your top shape and maintain it."

He told of one of his members, in her 60s, who shed eight
kilograms after practicing taebo for three months.

"The most important thing is she can really do a jab now," he
said. "She really doesn't have to worry too much about street
criminals now."