“Let The Beat Go” might be the best Muay Thai track in the history of Body Combat.
I wanted to get that statement out-of-the-way before launching into the rest of the review.
The pounding techno beat, rock guitar and the swirling keyboard riffs combined with an endless arsenal of knees and down ward punches create an exhausting, uplifting ferocious fight.
A very few people have said they find it too long and repetitive. Most genuinely let themselves go and become engulfed in the chaos. And of course the cheesy bit when you flip the music off just for the second and the class scream, “LET THE BEAT GO!”
Well done Dan and Rachael. A real stand out track. I’m tempted to end the review there but actually the rest of Les Mills Body Combat release 62 is pretty damn good as well.
Let’s have a look at the tracks (and you can click on the links to find the tunes on Amazon).
- Upper body warmup – Someone Like You (Kris McTwain Radio Edit) – N-Finity
Simple moves (just jabs, hooks and upper cuts) woven into an uplifting song that raises the heart rate surprisingly fast. And of course “I want nothing but the best……from you, and you, and you, and you too!”
- Lower body warmup – Home Alone (Invader! Remix Edit) – Vanilla Kiss
Another short sharp track and more sing along words before the Dubstep beat crashes in during the roundhouse kicks. We’re warm and ready to hit the main part of the fight work.
- Combat 1 – Famous Last Words – The Wrapper
A traditional, almost old school track two. A rock song and a punch combo to which we add the roundhouse kick. A middle eight section with karate blocks and side kicks and then it’s back to the first combo. Fun with sing along words, “I’m not afraid to keep on fighting!”. Perhaps the least impressive track in this class but it’s up against some killers.
- Power training 1 – Give A Little Love – Al Storm & Euphony
Recent track three’s have lasted well into six minutes. This one is shorter, sharp and powerful. We pack in the same adrenalin as we would in a longer power track because the moves are fast and relentless.
- Combat 2 – Dark Horse (Hard Dance Alliance Mix) – Kerrie Scene
A dance version of the Katy Perry hit Combat 2 includes a kata introduction followed by two sequences heavy on knee strikes. At the end of each “side” the beat becomes heavier and we repeat knees and front kicks, and knees and side kicks in blocks until our legs begin to cry for a break. “So you want to play with magic?” Yes please.
I wasn’t keen on this track the first few times I taught it but it’s been a grower. Coach hard on the travelling punches and those jumping jacks and heart rates explode.
- Combat 3 – Y.A.L.A. – M.I.A
Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Capoeira and deep into the legs for squats lunges and precise kicks. First few teaches of this track were painful. A teeth gritter, this leg conditioning ignites fire in your leg muscles. Quite a short piece of music and it took me a while to learn the moves but it still hurts 6 weeks in.
- Muay Thai – Let The Beat Go (Single) – S3RL feat. Johnny
“Let The Beat Go” might be the best Muay Thai track in the history of Body Combat.
Oh I’ve done that already haven’t I?
Let’s move on.
- Power training 3 – Power Of Love – Absolutely Elegant
A suitably epic finale with punches and upper cuts blurring into one melee of hardcore sweat and tears. For the last set of running and punches I’ve split the room and drawn on the power created by giving my participants a face to face opponent.
Just as an aside this song made my think how many songs have there been called “Power of Love”? In Body Combat there was a dance cover of the Huey Lewis and the News version in release 25. Outside the Les Mills world I remember Frankie Goes to Hollywood and was it Jennifer Rush?
- Conditioning – 3 Kingz (Single) – Major G.A.U.G.E feat. Hunger & Qwote
All abdominal. A killer track. Feels like we’re really in a CXWorx class. Can’t remember a core conditioning track in Body Combat being as sore as this one.
- Cool down – I Was Here – Beyoncè
A pleasant cool down revisiting the kata from track four. We need this peace to slow down the heart rate and the breath. But nothing can stop the sweat which continues to pour down and soak our shirts from top to bottom.
In my opinion, Les Mills Body Combat release 62 is almost a 10. One of the best releases in ages. Having seen the preview video for the next one I know there are changes afoot and a further increase in intensity.If it’s as good as this. Bring it on.
Now it’s your turn:
Do you agree with my review of Les Mills Body Combat release 62? Let me know what you think. Leave a comment or a link to your own blog.