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."