GETTING YOUR KICKS AEROBICS PROGRAMS BASED ON MARTIAL ARTS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY POPULAR.

Byline: Mariko Thompson Staff Writer

CALL IT AEROBICS with an edge. Or martial arts set to music. Either description fits martial arts aerobics routines, which have become commonplace in fitness clubs across the country. And thanks to Hollywood, this hybrid workout is a trend that's expected to endure.

From Ashley Judd's kickboxing prowess in ``Kiss the Girls'' to Keanu Reeves' stylized kung-fu kicks in ``The Matrix'' to Jennifer Lopez's revenge by Krav Maga in ``Enough,'' movies continue to fuel interest in martial arts-based fitness.

The martial arts experienced a wave of popularity in the U.S. in the late '50s and early '60s. Now more accessible than ever, the martial arts - both in pure and aerobicized form - are riding a second boom, fitness experts say.

``These movies bring to light how someone can train and be empowered by these activities,'' said Tony Ordas, director of certification for the San Diego-based American Council on Exercise. ``Martial arts will continue to be a basic staple of physical activity classes. I don't see an end in sight.''

Propelled by the success of Billy Blanks' Tae-Bo videos, martial arts aerobics muscled into fitness-club schedules about five years ago. From 1998 to 1999, the number of gyms offering martial arts aerobics courses jumped from 19 percent to 43 percent, according to a survey by IDEA, a San Diego-based organization for health and fitness professionals. Since then, the figure has held steady, dipping slightly to 41 percent in 2001.

For Los Angeles-area residents, so many competing martial arts aerobics classes exist, it may be difficult to narrow down the choices. Go with the choreographed kicks and punches of Tae-Bo? What about the street aggression of Krav Maga? Or the family feel of a small studio? The key is not to give up after one class. Finding the right fit - and learning the moves - requires some trial and error.

The tae that kicks behinds

By hitting the infomercial airwaves and touting a celebrity clientele, Blanks is credited with moving martial arts aerobics into the mainstream. In the mid-'70s, Blanks, a seven-time world karate champion, on a whim worked out to the ``Rocky'' theme song. He became winded within minutes. Determined to improve his cardiovascular fitness, he set karate and boxing moves to eight counts of music. Tae-Bo was born.

At the Billy Blanks World Training Center in Sherman Oaks, frenetic dance music blasts in a cavernous main room where 80 people power sweat their way through Tae-Bo. Upstairs in a small studio, Blanks and his 27-year-old daughter, Shellie, lead an introductory class of eight women. Shellie performs the moves, while Blanks critiques and corrects class members.

There's no music in the intro class, only a chorus of voices counting the eight beats out loud. Correct form is the main thrust. ``Where do you feel it?'' Blanks frequently asks.

With forward punches, Blanks emphasizes crossing the midline, not only to work the abs but to reduce stress on the elbows. Later, the class members line up along a platform step to achieve the proper lift for forward kicks. At one point, Blanks has them do a combination with eyes closed, to better focus the body.

In the final 10 minutes, Blanks turns on the stereo, and real Tae-Bo begins. The class smoothly follows him through the high-energy punches, kicks and dance steps. Afterward, Blanks gathers the group and talks about the mind-body connection.

``It's not the body that gets tired,'' Blanks says. ``It's the will.''

Enthused, the Tae-Bo initiates swarm him, to clasp his hand and say thanks. In an hour and a half, the charismatic Blanks illustrates why he has been the driving force behind the trend.

The (Israeli) army way

In Tae-Bo, Blanks talks about shifting from exercise mode into combat mode. The devotees at the Krav Maga National Training Center in Los Angeles seem to be in combat mode all the time.

``You learn how to defend yourself right away,'' says Charlotte Richards, a 47-year-old ballet teacher from Venice. ``Every woman should be here.''

``After four months, J. Lo could do what she did in the movie,'' says Lilac Averbuck, 32, of Sherman Oaks.

Krav Maga, the official Israeli combat system, is a favorite with law enforcement agencies. Lacking the formal rituals of karate, Krav Maga is called by its adherents ``martial arts without the art.''

Students start with Level One, an introduction to choke holds, headlocks, combative punches and kicks. The fitness classes complement the self-defense courses, allowing students to increase endurance and practice punches and kicks.

In the ``KO Bag'' fitness class, instructors Tina Angelotti and Chris Patterson lead 20 men and women through a vigorous warm-up.

``I don't care about the height of your kick,'' Angelotti yells. ``I want strong.''

After warm-ups, the class splits in two. Patterson runs grueling drills that include squats and push-ups. Angelotti, a kinesiology major at California State University, Northridge, does interval training on the bags.

``Here's the pattern,'' she says, peppering the bag with punches. ``Jab, jab, cross. Left, left, right.''

By the end of the intense 55-minute session, the students are as exhausted as a boxer on the ropes. The center trains all ages, from 6 years on up. Adrenaline junkies in particular will find much to love about Krav Maga.

Getting in the Zone

Steeled by years of living under communism, Nikolay Sartchadjiev has never been afraid to go against the odds. In May, Sartchadjiev jumped into the fitness fray, opening his own studio, the Training Zone, in Calabasas.

At the age of 13, he learned karate in secret in his native Bulgaria. Because of the spiritual component, karate was viewed as a form of religion and therefore a threat to the communist regime, Sartchadjiev said.

Sartchadjiev later became a professional kickboxer in Europe as well as a sparring and strength coach. Five years ago, he came to Los Angeles, delivering pizzas and working construction to pay the bills. He also taught fitness classes and martial arts at local gyms to build a clientele.

``I want to franchise this business,'' says Sartchadjiev, showing off his one-room fitness operation in the Gelson's shopping center. ``I always have high goals. We live in a country where anything is possible.''

His ``Maximum Kick Cardio'' class, which combines boxing and martial arts kicks with dance music, draws women. For the men, he's designed a class focusing on boxing and strength exercises. For kids, there's a karate program.

The cardio class starts with a distinct '80s vibe, as Sartchadjiev plays ``The Eye of the Tiger'' at warp speed. Several of the women have been taking classes with him for years. They know the drill. And the drills, which include side-to-side push-ups and crunches while striking boxing mitts, deliver as promised. They push the class to the max.

The Billy Blanks World Training Center is located at 14708 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. For more information, call [phone] or visit www.billyblanks.com.

The Krav Maga National Training Center is located at 11500 Olympic Blvd. Suite 150, Los Angeles. For more information, call [phone] or visit kravmaga.com.

The Training Zone is located at 22283 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas. For more information, call [phone].

Tips on martial arts aerobics from the American Council on Exercise:

--Observe a class before participating. Look at how much individual attention the instructor gives class members.

--The ideal trainer is certified as a fitness instructor and has a background in martial arts.

--Because kicking and punching can strain the elbows and knees, a good instructor should emphasize proper form and safety.

--The intensity that makes martial arts aerobics appealing to fitness buffs also poses a high degree of difficulty for beginners. Take it easy the first few times and listen to your body.

CAPTION(S):

5 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) PUNCH IT UP

Tina Angelotti, fitness director, Krav Maga National Training Center

(2) Nikolay Sartchadjiev leads a Maximum Kick Cardio class at the Training Zone in Calabasas.

(3) Members of the K.O. Bag class at the Krav Maga National Training Center in West L.A. concentrate on the demanding workout.

(4) Tina Angelotti, a Krav Maga fitness instructor, takes her charges through the workout, which seems to reflect well on them.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer

(5) Proving the his Tae-Bo is a versatile workout, Billy Blanks throws a few punches on the lawn.

Box:

Tips on martial arts aerobics from the American Council on Exercise

(see text)