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First impressions of Body Balance release 60

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I usually get my first impressions of a new release of Body Combat or Body Balancefrom the Quarterly Workshop that we instructors go to. The UK training team deliver the new moves in a motivational Masterclass.

On this occasion however I couldn’t make it along to the workshop so these thoughts are based entirely on the instructional DVD.

In my opinion Body Balance has been consistently good since release 39 which I thought was the last average one. Fortunately release 60 does not disappoint. It is another great combination of music and moves and a challenging workout.

Body Balance release 60

Here are my initial thoughts about Body Balance release 60.

  • I love Tai Chi warm ups with plenty of arm circle movements and this time we have arm circle overload. This is a lovely opening sequence with plenty of variety. Get deep into those bow and arrow dips and your legs will burn.
  • Bruno Mars’s Grenade is the catchy melodic song choice for Standing Strength. Watch out for a slightly different take on extended warrior two pose.
  • The Balance track is actually two pieces of music and lasts over 8 minutes. We explore tree pose and extend one leg out to the side and straight. In the second part of the balance sequence we try bird pose again. Not a favourite for some but always a challenge for many. But this time we have a new challenge. Les Mills call it “bird in a basket” pose but yoga people will know it as “arm pressure pose”. This is advanced. A challenged heaped upon a challenge.
  • The Hips track needs only one word. Frog.
  • Abs is another blur of crunches, side planks with added hard work and hovers with challenges. Ouch.
  • Finally we finish with a nine minute double forward bends track which will let you finish the class feeling lengthened and content. Once again we revisit the Tai Chi to top and tail the workout.

Body Balance release 60 is fabulous and I can’t wait to teach it. I’m a little bit worried about that “bird in a basket” though.

Your turn: Have you done Body Balance release 60? What do you think? Please leave a comment on the blog and share your thoughts. Good or bad – please bring it on.

First impressions of Body Combat release 55

Fitness and Yoga, , , , , , ,

I usually get my first impressions of a new release of Body Combat or Body Balance from the Quarterly Workshop that we instructors go to. The UK training team deliver the new moves in a motivational Masterclass.

On this occasion however I couldn’t make it along to the workshop so these thoughts are based entirely on the instructional DVD.

body combat release 55
BC55 DVD Title Screen

So here are my first impressions of Body Combat release 55:

  • The upper body warm up is a very catchy tune and I’ve hummed it pretty much all the time since I first heard it.
  • Track two is another dubstep piece of music. I have a love hate relationship with dubstep. Sometimes I think it is innovative and interesting and on other occasions I feel it just makes my ears bleed.
  • Capoeira is the focus for track two with deep gingas, lunges and the return of the evasive side kick complete with the scary jumping version, the guest presenter on the DVD leaps into the stratosphere. No roundhouse kicks in track two. Is this the first time ever?
  • There are no jump kicks in track four. In fact the choreography for this one is very different. If it had been faster I would have thought it was a Muay Thai track.
  • The music choice for track five is interesting to say to say the least. When the  programme director starts the song by saying that of all the music in release 55 this is the one we will love the best, I suspect that means it is the one people will ask me to mix out first.
  • Jumping knees are back in the Muay Thai track itself.
  • The power climber move in the conditioning track is going to hurt.

So there we have it. I am learning Body Combat release 55 as I write and it will be coming soon to a Fight Club near you.

Your turn: Have you done Body Combat release 55 yet? What do you think? Please leave a comment below. Share your thoughts good or bad.

Have a look at the sizzler video preview for Les Mills Body Balance release 60

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Body Balance is very popular at the moment. My classes have been routinely packed all through the winter – especially my 9am on a Saturday morning. There are often more than 30 people there which just goes to show that Body Balance is a great way to start the weekend.

It’s also been down to a continuous run of very high quality releases. The one that has just gone, number 59, was particularly tough but popular at the same time.

Now Les Mills have released their usual teaser video for the next one. So have a look at what’s in store for us in release 60.

Looks like there are some more tough abs and back sequences in this one so I’m really looking forward to learning it and teaching it.

Your turn: What do you think of this sizzler video preview for Les Mills Body Balance release 60? Share your thought. Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

Have a look at the sizzler video preview for Les Mills Body Combat release 55

Fitness and Yoga, , , , , , ,

It’s been a long cold winter and my Body Combat classes have kept me and my participants warm and fit during the wind and snow.

Now it’s time to look forward to the first new release of 2013 – and that is Body Combat release 55.

Les Mills have published their usual teaser video so have a look at this.

I see the Evasive Side Kick in there – we haven’t done that for a while.

Your turn: What do you think of this sizzler video preview for Les Mills Body Combat 55? Please leave a comment and share your thoughts.