Tae Bo creator takes on service members

Photo By Staff Sgt. Anthony White | Billy Blanks, creator of Tae Bo, leads service members during a Tae Bo workout session at Forward Operating Base Warrior near Kirkuk, Iraq.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

10.08.2006

Story by Staff Sgt. Anthony White 

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

by Sgt. Tony White
5th Mobile Public Affairs Det.

KIRKUK, Iraq— The service members' shirts were soaked and their breaths were short as the Tae Bo class began to take its toll.

The troops were getting the full effects as Billy Blanks led a two-hour Tae Bo class Friday at Forward Operating Base Warrior near Kirkuk. Blanks' Spirit and Body Tour are traveling through Iraq visiting the troops and working out with them.

"(The workouts) have been great," said Blanks, the creator of Tae Bo. "Everybody has been participating. Their spirits are up even though they are doing their job (in Iraq). I tell them they are special people because not everyone can come over here and do what you guys do here."

Blanks created his Tae Bo workout based on his martial arts experience. Having studied martial arts since he was 12, Blanks incorporated his knowledge into a non-stop cardio workout that pushes the entire body.

Spc. Eric Benfield, C Company, 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, was one of the participants in the workout.

"I actually came here to run but then I got caught up in the Tae Bo class," Benfield said. "I have seen it before on the commercials. It looked hard so I gave it a shot. My friends wanted me to do it, so I tried it out with them. It was a really great cardio workout.

"I was surprised when I saw (Blanks)," Benfield continued. "When someone is personally coming here to train with us ... spending his time here with us, it makes me feel important."

Blanks was just as excited about being in Iraq and supporting the troops.

"The tour has been awesome," Blanks said. "I just wanted to come and show my appreciation for the troops. They have sacrificed a lot. They are just awesome. I want to tell them all thank you."

"I truly believe that the troops see us taking time out to be with them," Blanks said. "To me it is awesome when a troop says 'hey, they actually came.' You can't even explain it. It's awesome."

• Date Taken: 10.08.2006
• Date Posted: 10.13.2006 08:41
• Story ID: 8011
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ