Tamilee Webb (born October 9, 1958) is an American fitness professional, best known for revolutionizing home workouts with her popular Buns of Steel and Abs of Steel video series, which have sold more than 14 million copies and for writing Workouts for Dummies. Her videos have appeared on Billboard's video charts and her work is considered a best seller by The New York Times.
Early life and education
Tamilee Webb was born on October 9, 1958 and she grew up in Rio Dell, California. Webb has a bachelor's degree in Physical Education and a master's degree in Exercise Science from California State University, Chico's College of Communication and Education in 1996.
Career
Webb's career skyrocketed in 1988 with the release of Buns of Steel, a fitness video focused on sculpting and strengthening the buttocks. The concept originated with fitness trainer Greg Smithey, who was only able to sell 114 copies of his videos. At the time, Webb was a professional body builder working at the Golden Door spa and cruise ship as a fitness instructor when she was hired for the lead role. Over the next two decades released over two dozen fitness shows similar to the Buns of Steel, Abs of Steel, and Thighs of Steel series which sold more than 14 million copies. The videos were often able to be ordered direct, allowing one to work out at home. In her subsequent series, she designed functional workouts to cork on core muscles.
In the late 1990s, Webb expanded her business ventures by starting a chain of fitness-focused eateries called Eden in 1996 and authoring Workouts for Dummies. In the mid-2010s, her work remained influential in the press as the fitness space continued its rise to prominence. As of 2024, she remains active in the fitness space.
Personal life
Webb is known to cycle, play tennis, and play golf.
Filmography
Years | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
1988–2000 | Buns of Steel | Lead role |
1992–1994 | Abs of Steel | Lead role |
1993 | Thighs of Steel | Lead role |
1994 | Building Tighter Assets | Lead role |
1994 | Fit TV Cable Health Club | Co-host |
1990s | ESPN Fitness Pros | Co-host |
1990s | Fox Sports Body Squad | Recurring cast |
Webb has also appeared on television shows such as NBC's The Today Show.
Awards
Years | Nomination | Result |
---|---|---|
1992 | Self Magazine Award | Won |
2008 | National Fitness Hall of Fame | Inducted |
Books
- Original Rubber Band Workout (1985)
- Step Up Fitness Workout (1994)
- Workouts for Dummies (1998)
- Defy Gravity Workout (2005)
References
- ^ "Meet Tamilee Webb | Fitness & Health Expert. Best known for my BUNS OF STEEL VIDEOS SERIES. – SHOUTOUT LA". June 13, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- ^ "Behind the Buns of Steel". EW.com. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- Nichols, Peter (September 3, 1993). "The mother of fitness tapes offers three more". The New York Times. p. 79.
- "Tamilee Webb". Who's Dated Who?. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- "CSU, Chico Distinguished Alumni – Chico State Alumni Association". California State University, Chico. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- Smithey, Greg. Buns of Steel, Home Video Release, 1987.
- ^ Radke, Heather (December 11, 2022). "The Odd Fitness Genius Behind Buns of Steel". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- Goldberg, Leslie (October 25, 1986). "Pumping rubber for a firmer, fitter you". The San Francisco Examiner. p. 11.
- Kaufman, Joanne (August 16, 1987). "Home Video Exercise". The New York Times. p. 26.
- "Tamilee Webb Tighter Assets Weight Loss DVD". Total Fitness DVDs. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- Braff, Danielle; Newspapers, Tribune (August 8, 2012). "Stepping up your game". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- Glowka, Wayne; Lester, Brenda K.; Fedeli, Amedeo; Hendrix, Keith; Jackson, LIsa; Scott, Elijah; Sirmans, John M.; Upton, Traci P. (1999). "Among the New Words". American Speech. 74 (2): 203–224. ISSN 0003-1283. JSTOR 455578.
- "Giving 'dummies' a leg up". New York Daily News. March 3, 1998. p. 45.
- Ellin, Abby (November 1, 2007). "I'm Sorry but You're Spinning on My Machine". The New York Times.
- Griffith, Erin (September 6, 2018). "Silicon Valley Jumps Into the Fitness Business, and It Will Cost You". The New York Times.
- "Raquel Welch – Now - '80s Fitness Stars: Where Did They End Up?". Herald Weekly. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- Rodriguez, June (September 10, 1995). "'Buns' guru carries superhero schedule". Indiana Gazette. pp. E-5.
- Zaslow, Jeffrey (July 1, 1995). "Get off your couch". Nappa Valley Register. p. 42.
- Landman, Beth (September 15, 2017). "Why Hollywood's Top Plastic Surgeons Are Saying "We'll Fix It in Post"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- Mankani, Sneha (May 14, 2020). "Five '90s workout videos you have to try this week, because remember video tapes?". Vogue. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- Webb, Tamilee (1993). Thighs of Steel. Parade videos.
- ^ Webb, Tamilee; Arneson, D. J. (1994). Tamilee Webb's Step Up Fitness Workout. Workman Pub. ISBN 978-1-56305-491-4.
- "The rocking ab machine that does so much". Chicago Tribune. November 12, 1996. p. 185.
- "Fitness, Health and Nutrition 24 Hours a Day". The Philadelphia Inquirer. June 15, 1997. p. 225.
- ^ "National Fitness Hall of Fame". National Fitness Hall of Fame. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- Staff (September 17, 1994). "Crowning 'Miss America' for 74th Time". The Los Angeles Times. pp. F10.
- "Sports Motivational Speakers Agent | Direct Sportslink - Direct Sportslink Sports". Tamilee Webb | Sports Motivational Speakers Agent | Direct Sportslink — Direct Sportslink Sports Celebrity Website Designs | Official Athlete Websites. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- Webb, Tamilee; Houston, Julie (December 12, 1985). Tamilee Webb's Original Rubber Band Workout. Workman. ISBN 978-0-89480-056-6.
- Webb, Tamilee (December 28, 1998). Workouts For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-7645-5124-6.
- Webb, Tamilee (2005). Tamilee Webb's Defy Gravity Workout. Fair Winds. ISBN 978-1-61059-514-8.