Is Body Balance getting too hard. Does Body Balance release 58 step too far over the line?

Before I try to answer that from an instructor’s point of view, let’s be honest. Some clubs incorrectly promote Body Balance as “the easy Les Mills programme”. And this means some newcomers are quite surprised how hard it seems even if you teach them low options. That’s because their expectations are to expect “easy”.

With release 58 I’ve had feedback from seasoned regulars that this one is “too hard”. On the other hand other have said that they are really enjoying the challenge and say, “It’s different,” and, “I like it.”

My first impression of this class was I didn’t find it as lethal as the last one. In fact I felt the conditioning tracks last time were among the toughest exercises I had ever done. Not in a Body Balance class, but ever. But no one told me they thought that one had crossed the line.

So why has Body Balance release 58 polarised participant opinion? I have a theory but first let’s have a look at the tracks.

Tai chi warm up (Feeling Good): A very short introduction with simple moves because there’s no time for complexity. A few forward arm swings followed by huge circular movements bring a focus breathe. It’s great that we go back to the tai chi moves later in track 8 however as this opener really is blink and its over.

Sun Salutations (Little Star): Musically this is the low point of the class and pose sequence that goes with it is very complex. Extra push ups. Added standing lunges. Three legged dogs. The first time I taught this I overran. So the music was over before I finished the moves. I had to practice even more than usual to nail it. Perhaps the issue is that the sequence doesn’t match the verse chorus structure of the song. So you start and finish the four salutations at a random point in the song and not at the beginning of each verse. It is also very hard to hear and feel the beat. Maybe a less complex sun salutation repeated 6 times might have fit the song structure better. It just feels awkward.

Standing Strength (Next To Me): I’ve listened to this song on the radio all year and have expected it to turn up in Balance. At six and a half minutes this is a challenge but the music breezes along so that you think it is over much quicker. Only at the end when your quad muscles are screaming do you realise the music carried you through a tough set of warrior, lunge and triangle poses.

Balance (Somebody I used to know): Another chart hit that’s amassed hours of radio play. It has a completely different feel to the music we usually get in balance tracks. But despite the unusually uptempo number the movements are quite slow and flow together well. Tree pose is always welcome and it’s good to see eagle and warrior 3 back after a break.

Hip openers (Every Little Thing she does is Magic): A lovely optimistic upbeat cover by Les Mills of a very old Police hit from the 1980s. Again a relatively simple sequence; half lotus, swan, and a quad stretch. I love the smiles on people’s faces when they try to lift their front arm during the quad stretch. Wobbles are good guys! We finish with frog pose which I always think takes us to the fine line between pleasure and pain. And there’s no dignified way to get out of it is there?

Core abs (Shake it Out): Well this is definitely hard. Cycle crunches, leg raises, and those seated abdominal leg pulls are obviously making a guest appearance from CXWORX. Is this track the reason some people say that this release is too hard?

Core back (Power): This is tough as well (but not as lethal as it’s equivalent of 3 months ago). There is so much bum squeezing in this section. Bridge pose with leg lifts, striking cobras, elbow walking planks around the world locust poses bring fire to the gluteals. A very busy track with no breaks and quick transitions I think it is very effective. But do we need bird pose at the end? Even for people who can do it there is so little time to set it up and perform it effectively.

Twists (Paradise): Coldplay’s anthem allows us to revisit the tai chi moves from the first track. Eagle pose twist feels awkward at first but if you keep both feet on the ground and not trying to balance on one you’ll get it quicker. The twisting lunges choreographed to the anthem chorus are powerful and strong. Again actually a simple set of moves driven on by a powerful song.

Forward bends and hamstrings (Your Song): I think this is a cover of the Nicole Kidman version of Elton John’s classic from the film Moulin Rouge. A simple sequence again but “How wonderful life is” when you reach high for those baby back bends. I like the intensity the twist in the pyramid pose brings to the legs. An emotional conclusion.

Relaxation and Meditation (Contemplation and Softly Falling): A mystical and haunting piece of music with a subtle beat almost lulls the heart back to resting as you breath deeply. As the music changes to the last piano outro we can change our focus from breath to body and bring ourselves back into the real world.

I like Body Balance release 58. It is a good choice of well-known tunes and challenging exercise. But is it harder that what has gone before? I’m not sure it is. The core abs track is genuinely tough. So perhaps it is the more uptempo songs that makes the release feel harder than the simplicity of some of the moves suggest. Maybe it is the music that is harder?

I would love to know what you think about this.

Over to you: Do you agree with this review of Body Balance release 58. Are you a Body Balance instructor? Please let me know what you think of this class. Is it too hard or just right? Participants what do you think? Go on share your thoughts. Leave a comment below.