Tai Bo or Running??

[Kat]

Hi,
what do you think gets you fitter, running or Tai Bo?? which burns more calories and what is the better preparation for fighting? with running I mean normal running at a constant pace.

[KayJay]

If the only options you have are the two you mentioned, then Taebo will get you overall fitter than running.
Although it seems to be frowned upon around here, I am a true believer in Taebo because it was the first workout that gave me upper body definition and helped flatten my abs. :cool:
Running will help with your cardiovascular fitness but will basically do nothing for your upper body.
In regards to burning calories, although strength training is better in building muscle, taebo can get you started. Along with the cardiovascular workout it can provide, muscles can help burn even more calories. Comparing it to running, the count is probably pretty close but it would depend on your overall fitness, how hard or how fast you do a run, etc.
Better preparation for fighting? Ummm...neither. Being a very fast runner might afford you the chance to escape from a fight. Taebo, in itself, may get you more fit and you may feel more confident but will NOT prepare you to fight in the least.

[jwinch2]

If the only options you have are the two you mentioned, then Taebo will get you overall fitter than running.


Maybe, maybe not...

Fitness is defined by the desired performance of the individual...

Kat,

In this particular situation, the best thing to do is to figure out WHAT it is that you want to be able to do that you cannot do currently and start from there.

If you want to run a race for example you would certainly train different then someone who was trying to improve your body composition, play football, or train for a fight.

So, what is it YOU want to get out of your fitness?

[KayJay]

Fitness is defined by the desired performance of the individual...

So true, so true. :)
I took it to be "overall" fit.

[poetic misjustice]

Tae-bo is the more overalll workout, it works more muscles, also tae bo can be adapted by yourself

[Redcat]

Wow, I am so not a fan of Tae Bo... not due to any martial arts pretensions on my part, but because I was not a fan of the hyperkenetic Billy Blanks, his uneven reps per side, and the incessant counting. Some better choices, IMO, are the Powerstrike series, which were co-designed by Ilaria Montagnani, or even a couple of Cathe Friedrich's workouts (notably Kick, Punch, and Crunch).

Many people do love BB, but my comments are also fairly typical.

Personally, I prefer running. I don't know that either will do much for your fighting, but running will up your cardiovascular endurance. I would definitely throw in some speedwork, though, and not do all steady state running.

In the absolute final analysis, though, the one you will do consistently is the better exercise.

[Jonathan Randall]

Hi,
what do you think gets you fitter, running or Tai Bo?? which burns more calories and what is the better preparation for fighting? with running I mean normal running at a constant pace.

I would look into Kathy Smith's Cardio Kickboxing workout instead of Tae Bo because, among other things, they keep their guard up and throw realistic combinations (elbows, crosses, uppercuts, etc.) from a sparring stance. The instructional segment is also far better. Both will get you in great shape, in my experience. If you do either the Smith or Blank's tape consistently, you will, IMO, get in great physcial shape without reinforcing bad habits. Neither, of course, will train you as a fighter.

[Sgathak]

Its my opinion that the two best overall workouts possible are yoga and swimming. Given the two options, TaeBo probably hits the most similarities (though thats a stretch) between the two.

[Eliz]

Swimming!! Good call, Joe.

#1) Swimming
#2) Tae Bo or equivilant thereof
#3) Jogging

[Kat]

hehehe..........hmm, im a loser at swimming :D really I swim like a drowning rat!! but thanks anyways, at the moment I do both Tae Bo and running, depends on how much time Ive got and how the weather is. It also depends how much stress Ive got: Tae Bo is loud and full power, running is nice and quite and gets me sooo relaxed, I mean who can resist the temptation of a run through the forest on a warm summer evening(im living in a village with lots of forest around)?? except of my mum whos scared some nasty person is hinding behind the trees waiting to rape me....
Can Tae Bo be alled a MA? Or is it just Fitness, like aerobics?

[Skye]

I'll echo what Jason said and just suggest you look at what exactly you want to do and work from there.

One thing I will say in addition though, is not to overlook anaerobic training, in particular training for explosiveness (medicine ball training for example). Anaerobic capacity not only helps you perform short bursts of activity, but makes those short bursts less taxing on your ability to recover from them aerobically.

[jwinch2]

Swimming!! Good call, Joe.

#1) Swimming
#2) Tae Bo or equivilant thereof
#3) Jogging

Swimming is certainly a great workout but for females it should be far from the primary source of exercise that you get. Swimming provides no load bearing on the axial skeleton, impact, or high strain on the bone. For females especially of Asian or Caucasian heritage, this is a very bad thing.

Most studies show that people who participate in swimming as their only or primary source of exercise have similar bone mineral density as those who don't do any exercise at all. This drastically ups their chances for development of osteopenia or osteoporosis later in life. In addition, persons who perform swimming as their primary source of exercise typically do not perform well on other types of performance indicators such as a treadmill or cycle maximum aerobic capacity test. The tasks are too different in nature and demand. In short, they are fit in the pool but if you take them out of the pool they are not fit.

Females should try to participate in exercsie which provides loading on the spine and strain such as resistance exercise, impact such as gymnastics, running, or martial arts. Swimming can be used to supplement cardiovascular training if it is something that you enjoy but other forms of exercise are going to be more beneficial in the long run.

The other thing to consider is does the training you are doing help you improve what you can do on a daily basis. In short does it help you to make your life easier? Again, the proper way to do this is to figure out what are your needs and work from there. Otherwise you are just using the "shotgun" approach and throwing a bunch of crap up there and hoping something causes the change you are looking for.

Providing the appropriate stimulus for the desired response is the only way to get where you really want and need to be... Anything else is just a fishing expedition.

[Eliz]

Wow! Thanks for the great information, Jason. I have to say that is the exact polar opposite of what I learned. But than again, most of the times I had adopted swimming into my routine (ie pregnancy/post child birth or rehab from an injury), normal, jarring, exercise routines were not recommended.





Can Tae Bo be alled a MA? Or is it just Fitness, like aerobics?

Fitness that is fun and it certainly won't hurt MA's.

A friend of mine taught it for years and when she first started, she asked all her friends to come in to help make the class look full. Always that fear that no one will show up on the first day. :laugh: So we all signed up for the first month or so and I really enjoyed it. I also found the extra time spent doing kicks and punches certainly improved my strength and technique.

[jwinch2]

...most of the times I had adopted swimming into my routine (ie pregnancy/post child birth or rehab from an injury), normal, jarring, exercise routines were not recommended.


Good point Elizabeth. If you are pregnant and have not already been doing high intesity and high impact type of exercise it is not recommended that you start until after the pregnancy has come full term. If you have already by doing it, most research shows that you may contintue with modification as long as it feels comfortable to do so.

It is always best in situations like that to err on the side of caution...

[Yang Wei Xin]

hehehe..........hmm, im a loser at swimming :D really I swim like a drowning rat!! but thanks anyways, at the moment I do both Tae Bo and running, depends on how much time Ive got and how the weather is. It also depends how much stress Ive got: Tae Bo is loud and full power, running is nice and quite and gets me sooo relaxed, I mean who can resist the temptation of a run through the forest on a warm summer evening(im living in a village with lots of forest around)?? except of my mum whos scared some nasty person is hinding behind the trees waiting to rape me....
Can Tae Bo be alled a MA? Or is it just Fitness, like aerobics?

i wouldn't call tae bo a ma by itself, it could benefit your stamina and respiratory tho. but im sure you can find a better cardio kickboxing video if you look.

if running or tae bo are your only choices, i would go with tae bo, just because it changes the motion more often, which is what happens in a fight, running is repetitive and your body will get used to it fast, so it won't remain as effective for as long.

however, every serious fighter that i know of considers running or "road-work" to be a necessary part of their training regimen, but then they get there cardio kickboxing during their gym workouts.

[Kim Chi]

First, I agree with the sentiment expressed by Jason that it is a good idea to decide where you want to go, in terms of fitness, before you decide how you are going to get there. All else being equal, I would tend to prefer whatever exercise involves the most muscle groups, which would favor Tae-bo/cardio kick-boxing, & swimming, over running. The aerobic/anaerobic decision is another consideration.

As for Tae-bo/cardio-kickboxing in general, I've seen many variations of this taught in health clubs, and we've had people come to our dojang with some experience in these activities. The vast majority of the people I've seen doing (or that have done) this have developed some bad fundamental habits that, at best, would be a hindrance to a serious pursuit of martial arts, and at worst will lead to joint damage. Things such as punching/kicking full speed to the point of full joint extension, lack of involvement of the hips and/or poor arm alignment in punching, and incorrect (or non-existant) pivoting on the support leg when throwing side and/or roundhouse kicks.

It's one thing to mimic techniques seen on a video or led by a person in front of a group with a microphone and a boom-box.
Actual instruction in proper execution of these techniques is something totally different

[Yang Wei Xin]

As for Tae-bo/cardio-kickboxing in general, I've seen many variations of this taught in health clubs, and we've had people come to our dojang with some experience in these activities. The vast majority of the people I've seen doing (or that have done) this have developed some bad fundamental habits that, at best, would be a hindrance to a serious pursuit of martial arts, and at worst will lead to joint damage. Things such as punching/kicking full speed to the point of full joint extension, lack of involvement of the hips and/or poor arm alignment in punching, and incorrect (or non-existant) pivoting on the support leg when throwing side and/or roundhouse kicks.



this is a very good point, maybe find a cardio workout that doesn't focus on martial arts as its shoot off point.

[KayJay]

As for Tae-bo/cardio-kickboxing in general, I've seen many variations of this taught in health clubs, and we've had people come to our dojang with some experience in these activities. The vast majority of the people I've seen doing (or that have done) this have developed some bad fundamental habits that, at best, would be a hindrance to a serious pursuit of martial arts, and at worst will lead to joint damage. Things such as punching/kicking full speed to the point of full joint extension, lack of involvement of the hips and/or poor arm alignment in punching, and incorrect (or non-existant) pivoting on the support leg when throwing side and/or roundhouse kicks.

I would like to add that aerobics in clubs and the like does not necessarily teach you proper form in the movements. Also tapes will not correct you if you are doing an incorrect movement and to continue to do so could lead to injury as Kim pointed out.

After realizing this (due to age catching up), I guess that I can consider myself lucky as I've been doing taebo off and on for seven years. That is, only to get into shape, not to learn to fight. However, when I first looked into joining a martial arts club (this year) I initially tried a few classes in Taekwondo. I was pulled aside after my first class by the instructor who complimented my moves and wanted to know who I trained under. Uh....Billy Blanks? :D

[TogaAssassin]

Personally I have found that sprints have been my most effective form of cardio training. i actually got the idea from jason :) I was reading this forum and saw that he made a comment along the lines of "why does everyone train running distance when they're looking for high intensity bursts of energy". Since then I've basically cut jogging out of my cardio and replaced it with mediated sprints (with jogging simply to warm up).

[John Lucas]

hehehe..........hmm, im a loser at swimming :D really I swim like a drowning rat!!

sorry to be a smartass, just thought it was worthy of mention that rats can tread water for days at a time without drowning.

Also, I think it depends upon where you run, I know a few places you could go that would get you in great shape for a fight.

[Yang Wei Xin]

Yeah, try running up a hill with a tire strapped to your back.

NFL style.