We have known about what tracks were going to be in this release for a while and going by twitter and Facebook alot of instructors were excited to see what choreography came with the music.
Body Combat 56 where to begin? Workshops took me through to Broadwood where Phil Harrison unleashed this release. The hour flew by and before we knew it, we were done. Lots of sweaty instructors all commenting on various aspects of the workout. The sizzler video of Body Combat 56 didn’t give too much away in relation to how awesome this release is.
Thoughts on tracks
Track 1a – Upper body warmup – I cry (Basslouder remix edit) – high rolla
We kick off the 56th release with a feel good energising track while being thrown into the depths of boxing. Simple and effective punches preparing us for the rest of the release.
Track 1b – Lower body warmup – Don’t wake me up (Basslouder remix edit) – High rolla
Again no break from upper to lower warm-up straight in with some kick boxing and TKD. The hip roll is back and I really do like this warm-up as I think the set-ups play a big part in body combat especially with new participants. The cherry on top is the introduction of the advancing side kick to this release.
Track 2 – Combat 1 – Welcome to the jungle – Emperor Platoon
Thrown straight into a fast combination that just doesn’t let go. From the jab, cross, upper and knees to a bit of TKD. It’s been a while since we had a TKD combo like the roundhouse and back fist. A very varied track 2 with some nice kata’s. At this point you should feel like you’re in the jungle, hot and sweaty…..
Track 3 – Power training 1 – Hymn (clubstar mix) – Tina Cousins
After a furious track 2 you’re met by a brick wall that needs smashed. Simple and effective boxing choreography with plenty of room to layer on power and speed. Interesting that Dan and Rach have chosen to replace the usual “skip” between rounds and throw in some scissors, good call……It’s here you need to grit the teeth and push yourself making effective use of full body movement on the upper cuts and hooks.
Track 4 – Combat 2 – Hello (radio edit) – Scooter
Agility, agility, agility…. Side shuffle with an inner hook outer knee/jump knee which quickly changes to the jump kick setup followed up by the jump kick. I really do like this track. You think what else can they throw at me? Well how about a couple of shoots, advancing side kicks to the double advancing side kicks :O. The double advancing side kick will take a while to master, remember there are options: 1)stay low 2)revert back to a single.
Track 5 – Power training 2 – Stamp on the ground (breeze remix) – italo brothers
Feels like this track just doesn’t stop. Layer upon layer of combinations. The initial uppers, scissors and directional jab really get you working mentally and physically. Just when you think it’s all over you’re taken to another level with the jab, step over hook combo, we done yet? No, boom, initial combo comes right back at ya. Can have some fun with this track with lots of hooks into the music.
This track always makes me smile when it comes on. Reminds me of the film Here comes the boom:
I did tweet Les Mills to see if it could be included in a future release i.e. victory dance, but didn’t get a response.
Track 6 – Combat 3 – Still getting it – Foreign beggars feat. skrillex
A new move is here and it’s been named “the matrix kick”. This is a serious leg track.
*Image taken from : The Matrix
Technique wise it’s about a quick powerful knee before a slow controlled front kick before going into your lunge. The last round on each side is a killer…. Perfect track to get your legs and butt ready for the beach….
Track 7 – Muay Thai – Raise the flag – Airbourne
In honesty am not too sure about this track. In terms of recent releases I think it’s been pulled back a little. The “6” combination of jabs,crosses and descending elbows, throw in some knees, add a sprinkle of street brall punches and you have a track. Lots of lyrics to hook into. Been hearing and seeing comments about this track being “boring”, “repetitive”, if this is you set yourself a challenge….. For every “6” combination you do, up a gear, think about it’s not what you’re doing it’s, what you put in :).
Track 8 – Power training 3 – Silence (Darwin remix) – Filthy Louca
Whoa, this track 8 is just off the scale. The music certainly brings it, uplifting, euphoric, the build up. The 4-2 combination(uppers,hooks) followed up by the travelling jab then jab, jab, hook seals the deal. Each side done then another couple of rounds, the fight goes on. Fantastic chore, fantastic music, thank you Dan and Rach 🙂
Track 9 – Conditioning – Shawty got moves – Get Cool
So we’ve smashed our shoulders with a cracking track 8 and they throw in this conditioning track. Press-ups, scorpion press-up, tricep press-up, hover, scorpion hover. I really do like the variety and it’s a killer with all the options. Big thumbs up…….
Track 10 – Cool down – Hall of fame – Born Rush vs Mr Ticket
As always what can you say about the cool down? Perfect end to an absolute belter or a release.
What Next?
Obviously we’re getting closer and closer to Body Combat 60 so from this release we can see that Dan and Rach are thinking more and more out the box all the time. At this point the matrix kick highlights this. Will we see the matrix kick going to a side kick, load the knee quick, fire slowly, 1 high, 1 low? Be interesting to see what even Body Combat 57 brings..
Give feedback
So that’s Body Combat 56 in the bag. Have you enjoyed this release?
If you have any thoughts about Body Combat 56 and you’d like to share then please feel free to comment or get in touch. If you didn’t already know you can also give feedback to Les Mills in relation to any programme/release. Are you an instructor? Heard of the BLAH (be loud and heard)? http://www.lesmills.com/blah Are you a participant? You can let Les Mills know about your experiences with after class. http://www.lesmills.com/global/classes/after-class-surveys.aspx
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