Tag Archives: fitness

First impressions of Les Mills Body Balance release 64 after GFX2014

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Body Balance has been so good for so long my reviews make me sound like a stuck record.

The last release I wasn’t keen on was way back at number 39. That’s an epic run of cracking classes from 40 to 63.

But I have to admit I wasn’t immediately wowed by release 64! And that’s despite a master-class delivered to perfection by the UK Trainer Team in front of 2000 people at GFX2014 in Glasgow.

Perhaps the music, although good, doesn’t quite work with the moves for me.

Perhaps there are too many changes of direction (on your front, on your back, face right, face left etc.) and it feels bitty.

But the poses are starting to sink in and grow on me so it’ll be interesting to see what my classes think.

Here are my first impressions.

BB64 Impressions

  • Extreme Ways by Moby, the music for the Tai Chi Warm Up makes its third appearance in Body Balance. Why when Les Mills have access to a world of music do they bring songs back many times like this. And I have to pay for it again. Good job it’s such an uplifting and motivational track (and of course that’s why they brought it back again).
  • For the Standing Strength we have a cover version of Wonderwall.
  • Core abs is challenging again with an onslaught of hovers, side planks and the return of the “Firefly”. This will make you sweat as well as tone your core.
  • A full back bend with a leg raise appears in the core back track. See the photo above. An advanced move this will be beyond most participants. Whilst Les Mills are always clear to offer options (the lower Bridge Pose in this case) I’m beginning to question including these advanced moves. Even for people who can do them there’s very little time to set them up safely. Do they become “show off” moves and end up intimidating the majority? I’d love to hear your views on this.
  • I knew “Let Her Go” would turn up in Body Balance eventually. A great track with a lovely revisiting of the Tai Chi moves and some deep leg stretches.

Now it’s your turn: Have you tried Les Mills Body Balance release 64 yet? What do you think of the music? Do you think that there are too many transitions? Please post a comment and let me know whether you agree or disagree.

First Impressions of Les Mills Body Combat release 59 after GFX2014

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I’m in learning mode.

My DVD and music CD for Les Mills Body Combat release 59 arrived last week. So having experienced the new class live at GFX2014 in Glasgow with about two thousand other people, and watched the master-class, what do I think of number 59?

les mills body combat release 59
Swords.

Let’s be honest people loved the last one. Some described it as the best ever. For me it was a grower. I hated the music at first but once I started teaching it it blossomed.

With 59 I think the music is better with some catchy tunes. I find myself whistling that “Lost In Space” theme tune without realising. So I’m off to a much better start with 59 and it’s looking good.

  • There are sword moves and sound effects in track two. For many years at Christmas I’ve revisited an old track from release 10 for the cheesiness of the swords. This one brings swords into the 21st century. I’ll have to find another Christmas song.
  • All three power tracks have sing along memorable choruses.
  • Fans of the capoeira track “Spitfire” from a while back will love “Danger Zone”. Track 6 is a mixture, again, of Kung Fu and capoeira but with added plyo-metric lunges.
  • What about those “leg escape” moves?
  • And did I say how hummable “Lost in Space” is?

So I’d better get on and learn this so that all my classes can feel the pain!

Now it’s your turn: Have you seen Les Mills Body Combat release 59 yet? Were you at GFX2014 Glasgow? What do you think. Go on. Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Watch Video Highlights of Les Mills GFX2014 Glasgow

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What a day!

A fitness extravaganza. Les Mills GFX2014 exploded at the SECC Glasgow on March 2.

Les Mills GFX2014 Glasgow

Hat’s off to Les Mills UK, GFX2014 was well organised, exciting, crowded, sweaty and a motivational experience for both instructors and their participants. Glasgow SECC was the perfect venue and for once the sound system was crystal clear despite the size of the hall and the thousands of people jumping and punching and kicking.

I can’t imagine how many calories people burned. And with no shower facilities everyone was humming by then end of almost twelve hours of fitness overload.

Next time though Les Mills perhaps you can arrange for the car parks to open as well?

Here’s a short video with highlights of the Sh’Bam, Body Balance and Body Combat Masterclasses. Just look at all those people!

Now it’s your turn: Were you at Les Mills GFX2014 Glasgow? What did you think? Please share you own videos and pictures by leaving a comment or a link. If you know someone who would enjoy watching the highlights video feel free to share it with them.

Insanity Workout! A new Group Fitness Class about to Explode in the UK.

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Insanity!

That’s the name of a new Group Fitness Class that’s about to take the UK by storm. Originally invented as a home DVD workout by US-based “Shaun T” and marketed by Beach Body, Insanity is about to move from living room to studio.

Insanity!

Here’s what Insanity creator Shaun T says about his product.

“When I created the INSANITY workout, I knew it would produce insane results in 60 days. But I wasn’t sure if anyone was brave enough to try it.

Turns out…there are a lot of crazy people out there. Crazy enough to actually enjoy doing the world’s most insanely tough workout.

To like the feeling of being drenched in sweat…of going balls-to-the-wall for a full 45 minutes of muscle-searing exercise. Is INSANITY hard? Oh, yeah.

It really IS the hardest workout ever put on DVD. It’s totally crazy…but it’s going to get you crazy-good results.”

I’ve done the DVDs and they work. In fact just watching them is enough to get you fit let alone doing the exercises.

And now Insanity will appear on the timetable at a fitness club near you.

Insanity is also the subject of the latest episode of the Group Fitness Over Coffee podcast. Click here to listen to UK Insanity Ambassador Diana Wright talking about this awesome, intense Group Fitness Class.

You won’t want to miss this episode because Diana’s enthusiasm for Insanity is infectious!

Now it’s your turn: Have you done Insanity? Either the home DVD version or the new Fitness Class? I’d love to hear your thoughts about it. Please leave a comment or a link to your own blog.

And if you know of anyone who is thinking about trying Insanity, either as an instructor or a participant, why not send them a link to the podcast!