Les Mills BodyCombat 72 thoughts

BodyCombat 72 is now in the past, can you even remember it? Les Mills BodyCombat 73 has now be out there for a couple of weeks. This has been sat in my drafts folder for some time and with my holiday kinda forgot i hadn’t published it :P.  Better late than never :).

I was looking forward to this release. It’s been atleast a year since I’ve been excited about teaching a new bodycombat release.  To add to the excitement my class fell on the date for launching however, was only a matter of time before this excitement was shattered. It would seem that another instructor taught the full release a week before launch date :(. #instructorproblems

via GIPHY

Change in Choreography note format

I posted about this way back about how Les Mills are “streamlining” the choreography notes.  This approach from Les Mills basically telling us how to learn a release isn’t healthy. Everyone learns differently they for one know this and going down this route will only result in disgruntled instructors.

While they may work well with an app they don’t work for others that don’t use the video or the app.  This release and cxworx took ALOT longer to learn that normal. Streamlined, far from it. My thoughts in a thousand words:

(image under CC : audiencestack.com)

If it’s not broken why fix it? If anything give us both formats?

Les Mills BodyCombat 72 “on-demand” video

Yeah it’s the video we have to unfortunately pay for.  This time round I had to watch it more than normal due to the new note format. Same faces, same patter, bored…. I lost count how many times I cringed. Is like a possible great movie but then comes the script. Shame it’s going this way.

BodyCombat 72 tracks

Track 1a – Upper body warmup –  Nobody to love(Extended Mix) – Sigma

What a fantastic upbeat tune to start the track on :).  Simple choreography allowing plenty of time for technique and coaching before we start putting more power and speed into our movement.  Good to see “Bob” back.

Track 1b – Lower body warmup – Praise You (Radio Edit) – Mind Electric

Why use a cover of such a great tune? Come on Les Mills the money you’re saving by going digital all that time ago could be put to better use rather than some bad covers?

I like the simplistic but varied choreography of this track. I can’t recall a release where we had the front knee, then a check?  Roundhouse repeater followed by a blast from the past, the advancing side kick.   This lower body warm up has a big thumbs up from me 🙂 When kicking please remember to self check your foot position on the kicks :).

Track 1c – Integrated warmup – Kids – OneRepublic

BodyCombat 70 1c was enjoyed, 71 went down like a lead balloon, 72, back to enjoyable.  Music and choreography are a great match.

If you’re reading this and have you’re own views on the Integrated warm up please comment below. Do you like it, do you just press skip?

Les Mills : Please can warm-up tracks get split so it’s easier to mix out/in tracks?  Thank you.

Track 2 – Combat 1 – Believer – Showtek & Major Lazer

Anyone else getting bored of the jump kick yet? Wasn’t seen for ages then bang.  Nice build up to full combination of the jab,cross,hook, and jump kick.  I do feel like the Muay Thai combo is out of place here.  I have added this track to my mixing list as I think it will make a good filler in the future.

Track 3 – Power training 1 – Sweet Lies – Wilkinson feat. Karen Harding

I really like the combinations in this track. Lots of lyrics to hook into while working your jabs or hooks, “look me in the eyes”.  Had some fun (since there’s very little in combat now) with the  twist cross adding like comic sound like pow.  Definitely a track that will be used again the future.

Track 4 – Combat 2 –  B.O.B. – Outkast

We all remember track 4 from BodyCombat 70 which I thought was the absolute dogs b0ll0x.  How could this compete with such a track?  I am fairly neutral when it comes to this track.

Nothing complex about it, side kick, double side kick, with a sprinkle of fun thrown in with the front kick, knee (glad Dan taught this on the “instructors video”).  Adding in the bounce on the last side kick repeaters certainly takes it to a new level. 🙂

Track 5 – Power training 2 – Changing – Sigma feat. Paloma Faith

You really never know what will be thrown into track 5 these days.  What I do know is that whatever is choreographed it isn’t going to be easy. Throw the mountain climber, the bear crawl and several sprints in to the mix and you’re left with a puddle of sweat under your feet.

Track 6 – Combat 3 – Run (Beautiful Things) (Highsociety Remix) – AWOLNATION

There is no doubt that this track really works the lower body, lunge, turn, jump, and kick. The music is a bit boring for me but there are atleast some lyrics you can hook into 🙂

Get bigger, go lower, feel the burn :P.

Track 7 – Muay Thai – Welcome to the Black Parade (Steve Aoki 10th Anniversary Remix) – My Chemical Romance

OMFG. This track nearly tops my go to Muay Thai.  The music perfectly balanced between driving the movement and power to a bit of a sing along. The full combination of the jab cross, elbow, knees, leg check and front kick give this a unique feel.

To finish it off the double knee, jump knee takes you to that next level.  Absolute belter of a track.  It’s the matter of what you put in you’ll get back out.   This will definately be on a future mix. #moreplease

Track 8 – Power training 3 –  Let You Go (Brookes Brothers Remix) – Chase & Status feat. Mali

I really wasn’t a fan of this track. Nothing to it apart from a long winded “let you goooooooooo” with a combination that puts you to sleep.  Had several classes asking this to be mixed out about 2 weeks in.

Track 9 – Conditioning – Words – Daya

“The modified Russian Twist takes our Abs track and gives us an ab rack!” yeah it’s going to burn no matter where you are on your fitness journey. Simple, controlled movements across each exercise is a combo for a fantastic work out.

Track 10 – Cool down –  Love$ick – Mura Masa feat. A$AP Rocky

I really like the tune and the beat that comes with it. Really focusing on the lower body. Will be going on the future mix list 🙂

Overall thoughts on BodyCombat 72

With the note change it took longer than it should of to learn :(. Several tracks will be making a return in the future. The choreography has been positively received but the music is still attracting negative comments especially track 8.

What Next?

BodyCombat 73 track listing is out. What will BodyCombat 74 bring? 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.

Got launch pictures/videos you want to share?

For every release comes an “everything bodycombat” post. These can all be found : https://www.siphilp.com/tag/everything-body-combat. Have anything to share for BodyCombat 72 then please get in touch.

Give Feedback

If you have any thoughts about BodyCombat 72 and you’d like to share then please feel free to comment or get in touch. Give feedback to Les Mills? If you’re an instructor look for the Blah link, participant, take it to twitter (if they listen), or just comment below in the hope someone is watching :). While you’re here why not subscribe?