By Sara Rosner
Staff Writer
In the small, crowded, windowless box known as the gym, many endure a tedious workout on treadmills that go nowhere and sweat-covered machines that always seem to be taken.
However, Pepperdine will offer students a refreshing approach to exercise when Billy Blanks hosts the 17th Annual Aerobathon March 10.
Blanks, who is the founder of the Tae Bo fitness program, will be instructing a class with his daughter Shellie Blanks from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Alumni Park.
“It’s inspiring, and I know it’s going to be a lot of fun,” sophomore Erin Diaz said of the opportunity to meet Blanks.
Blanks began developing the concept of Tae Bo in 1975 to supplement his Tae Kwon Do performance and eventually opened the Billy Blanks World Training Center in Sherman Oaks, Calif.
He ultimately designed Tae Bo as a martial art that would appeal to women by substituting uniforms and ancient rituals with music and dance.
“Women wouldn’t study karate. They felt it was too aggressive,” Blanks said in the March 1999 issue of Forbes.
Tae Bo is a high-impact aerobic work out that includes punching, kicking and squatting. It grossed $75 million when Blanks released it on tape in 1999.
“It is a wonderful cardiovascular workout,” said Intramurals Office fitness and health expert Jeeny Miller. “It’s easy to follow and the basis of martial arts makes it interesting.”
Miller, who has been instructing aerobics for 20 years, was familiar with Blanks from his popular seminars.
“He has a great strong Christian faith and his presence will be very beneficial for the student’s healthier lifestyle,” Miller said.
Although Blanks is the head of a successful business empire, his beginnings were far from worldly.
Born to a factory worker and a homemaker in Erie, Pa., Blanks was the fourth of 15 children.
Blanks, who was diagnosed with dyslexia at age 12 and also suffered from an anomalous hip condition, had a difficult time at school until he discovered the martial arts.
“Karate gave me confidence.” Blanks told People Magazine in Decemer 1997.
While raising a family with high school sweetheart Gayle Godfrey, Blanks went on to become the seven-time world karate champion and captain of the U.S. Karate Team.
“I think of karate as a way of life, a way to learn self-discipline and self-control instead of a way to beat up dozens of people,” Blanks told the Boston Globe Magazine in 1986.
Though Malibu weather and scenery is amenable to karate, or almost any type of physical activity, many students find it difficult to work out.
“It’s especially hard to find the time,” Erin Diaz said.
Diaz, who started doing Tae Bo with friends in high school, also pointed out the advantages of the program:
“It’s very different because it gets you motivated, while in other aerobics classes you just go through the motion,” she said.
Despite the anticipated excitement, participants are cautioned against over-exerting their bodies.
“People should be careful and follow instructions,” Miller said. “They could injure their knee or back. If anyone has any physical conditions they might want to check with their doctor first.”
The Aerobathon is dedicated to promoting health and positive lifestyle habits through fitness, health instruction and educational activity and sponsors will provide prizes throughout the day.
The event is free and will include a variety of classes including Pilates, aquatic aerobics, boxing, yoga, indoor cycling and body sculpting.
Submitted February 26, 2004
