Les Mills BodyCombat 68 , BodyCombat 69 and several other releases are now in the mix. BodyCombat 71 track listing is out. How has BodyCombat 70 gone down?
Les Mills BodyCombat 70 Masterclass
Filmed in the usual studio back in Auckland New Zealand. Yeap lots of instructors, presenters, whatever on stage. This is the frustration that we instructors have to endure. We have to pay for the music and this dribble they call a master class video. Bad angles, obviously scripted toward “home use” nothing for instructors, are we a thing of the past?? Every quarter seems to be getting worse :(.
I couldn’t even watch it past the lower body warm-up as this happens:
Anyway onto BodyCombat 70 tracks
Track 1a – Upper body warmup – Bust ‘Em – Party Favor
Really like the chorus/synth in this track. Choreography is simple, covering all basic punches. Nice and easy which gives time to focus on technique before we start putting more power and speed into our movement. Can even hook into some of the lyrics :).
Track 1b – Lower body warmup – Don’t Stop The Madness Hardwell – W&W feat. Fatman Scoop
Hip roll step, step changing into front kick step,step. Reminds me a little of Call Me Maybe from BodyCombat 55. Love the layering of the kicks, lots of time to focus on technique and give appropriate levels. When kicking please remember to self check your foot position on the kicks :).
Track 1c – Integrated warmup – The Thrill – Nero
While I like the hip escapes and press-ups I’m not 100% sold on this as part of the “warmup”. Maybe cause it’s new? We will see :). Finding initially participants were over thinking the movement in the hip escapes. Breaking it down is key. If I noticed anyone struggling I would position myself so they could see what was going on especially with the back leg/foot. If I found some people still struggle would do a run through before class began… Every class is now rocking it :).
Track 2 – Combat 1 – How We Do (Original Mix) – Hardwell & Showtek
Probably the first out of 2 tracks you can actually have some fun in. Round-house knees with a side kick followed up by the jab,cross, upper 2 step over front kicks and a “stomp kick”. I play on the count of 3 gauging participants to shout on the 3 may be be “ikea”,”tesco”,”asda” or just “3”. Nice quick track.
Track 3 – Power training 1 – Higher – Sigma
This power track is probably 2nd on the list in relation to favourites from this release. Defined as “Euphoric, Drum ‘n’ Bass and uplifting” and the music certainly matches this. It isn’t just beats and noise which is a big tick on my sheet. Combinations brings different levels of intensity while being able to focus on technique. The weave adds a nice touch to break down the main combinations. I can see this on a mix playlist in the future.
Track 4 – Combat 2 – Kraken (Original Mix) – Knife Party & Tom Staar
While the choreography is repetitive and boring there is a little glimmer of fun in this track with the “parry”. It’s good to see they’re focusing on getting the heart rate up or you’d be falling asleep a minute or so in. #yawn
Track 5 – Power training 2 – Not Giving In (Original Mix) – Rudimental feat. John Newman & Alex Clare
A new structure to Power training 2, MMA conditioning. This has Dan written all over it. This track takes you to new heights with all the push ups, mountain climbers and carrying on from the integrated warmup the bear crawl. Track will either make you or break you.. Dig deep and don’t let fatigue interfere with technique.
Track 6 – Combat 3 – 1 In 100,000 – L-Fresh The Lion
This track has to be the gold, silver and bronze track of this release. “Street swag”, simple but great leg exercises along to music you can easily hook into. I will always remember the faces of my participants on doing this for the first time. This has literally been mixed out last week, cracker. More please…..
Track 7 – Muay Thai – Freak – Re-Con & Klubfiller
Quite a short track 7 coming in at 4 minutes 25 seconds. Simple choreography of elbows and knees. Room to work on the various levels but feel it’s ruined by choice of music. I can’t see this making a future mixing list but you never know when a small gap in a mix needs filled.
Track 8 – Power training 3 – We Won’t Be Alone – Feint feat. Laura Brehm
Just under 7 minutes, this seems longer than it actually is, I think it has something to do with the long “ish” recovery between reps :). Quite a good track to end on. The 32 hooks certainly finish off each shoulder. Simple combinations that can be pushed and pushed. Only thing missing are the uppercuts and you’d have a full house but that does matter. Great track for connecting and will certainly make it into a future mix :).
Track 9 – Conditioning – Don’t Let Me Down – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya
“3 exercises to maximize the front and sides of the core to complete the workout.”. This gives me flash backs to BodyCombat 69. This time sees us doing the medicine ball crunch and pike crunch followed up with a leg sequence. You’re definitely going to be feeling this afterwards. Neutral track that gets the job done.
Track 10 – Cool down – I Need A Dollar – Aloe Blacc
I really like the tune and the beat that comes with it. Really focusing on the lower body. Not said this in a while for a cooldown but i think this will be my go to track in future mixes :). I think on one occasion i tried to twurk 😛 #fail…..
Overall thoughts on BodyCombat 70
Another love or hate release…..Only see 2/3 tracks making it into future mixes. While the choreography has been positively received the music has been mostly negative. I think the persona/banter of the instructor will easily make or break this release.
Is it just me or are programs becoming alike? Am expecting to see the awesome Lisa Osborne in a bodycombat video soon…..
Since this format probably isn’t going anywhere Les Mills please start providing us with individual tracks for warmups so mixing is easier, and while you’re here please make it possible to just buy the music again? It’s like 5 positive steps forward and then 10 back 🙁 #rantover
What Next?
BodyCombat 71 track listing is out. What will BodyCombat 71 bring? Predictions : More instructors giving up the program? More participants complaining about music choices? Who knows, what are your thoughts?
Lot of new moves from BodyCombat 50 through to BodyCombat 60 and they’ve been one hit wonders. Will we see these moves again any time soon I am hope so as movements like “the parry” are boring…..
Got launch pictures/videos you want to share?
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