Billy Blanks Jr. Releases First DVD

27 Jul, 2010 By: Angelique Flores

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Billy Blanks Jr., son of the famed Tae Bo creator, is bringing his popular dance workouts to DVD for the first time.

Lionsgate is releasing Dance With Me: Cardio Fit on DVD Sept. 7 for $14.98, followed Nov. 30 by Dance With Me: Groove & Burn ($14.98).

The new “Dance With Me” line of fitness DVDs are aimed at bringing into homes what Blanks and his wife Sharon Blanks have been teaching personally at Southern California 24-Hour Fitness gyms. Their “Dance With Me” fitness class is a cardio program made up of various types of dances, from hip-hop, Bollywood and line dancing to African, Broadway and Riverdance.

“It’s probably the most fun I’ve had doing anything,” said Blanks Jr., who has been teaching fitness classes since he was about 13 years old.

Up to 100 people of all ages pack the Blanks’ class, including actor Mr. T. It took some time for Mr. T to join the class, Blanks Jr. said, but once he did, he hasn’t missed a class since. Yes, Mr. T did the Broadway routine to “All That Jazz.”

Cardio Fit targets all ages and fitness levels, with three 10-minute dance routines (hip-hop, country and Bollywood style dances) and two-minute intervals of cardio bursts in between routines.

“We’re learning more every day, the importance of dance for your heart and cardio for your heart,” Sharon said.

The DVD also offers a breathing technique tutorial and the options to customize workouts or use a music-only setting.

“It’s like a music video party,” Billy said.

Because the Blanks’ classes are so high-energy and interactive, with a positive support system among their students, they were slightly concerned that those elements wouldn’t be captured on DVD. But, Blanks Jr. said, the DVD manages to capture all the elements of his feel-good philosophy of making people feel great after a workout.

“I wanted to do this in a more positive way and not screaming at people like drill sergeants,” Blanks Jr. said. “For too long, I’ve been watching fitness getting too serious. Some people like it, but I think there’s an alternative.”

Blanks Jr. and Sharon Blanks have been working together in fitness for 10 years. Both share a background as performers, singing and dancing, and in fitness.

“I met her when she was doing Rent, and I was in Fame,” Blanks Jr. said.

The Blanks already have created a workout video, Cardioke, available on ExerciseTV.

On their website, , users can sign up to be a part of the community and receive e-mail updates, watch workouts online, read health and fitness tips, and more.

Along with the Blanks’ DVD debut are a number of other projects creating a buzz in the fitness world. Soon their “Dance With Me” workouts will be in 24-Hour Fitness gyms nationwide. The couple will star in two upcoming television shows, “Meet the Blanks” and “America’s Fit Party.”

“Our success in fitness is due to our focus on supporting and building major fitness brands over the long-term,” said Kajsa Vikman, VP of marketing and fitness at Lionsgate. “As such, we are selective about the brands we choose and then support each distinct brand with a tailored marketing campaign to ensure reaching their target audience.”

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