Body Pump 80
It's been quite a while since I've written up a Les Mills release - I notice I never did Body Pump 79 at all, and haven't done a Body Balance one for ages. Since I'm about to start mixing releases and using old tracks, it's definitely time I got down some thoughts on the latest one.
1. Warmup: Resuscitate Me - September
Meh. Dull generic music, perfectly average moves. Apart from a few 'down and hold' squats, nothing really to comment on. At 5:31 minutes it's on the long side of average. Don't mind it, but won't be rushing to use it regularly in future.
2. Squats: The Edge Of Glory (Glory Mix) - Red Beans & Rice
Just shy of six minutes, this is joint-longest squat track since I started (joint with release 79). Three sections, the second and third having the same choreography so much easier to remember. It's fine.
3. Chest: Smells Like Teen Spirit - Ninth Immortal
I like it. Two sections before the break, with identical choreography (so again easier to remember). Some bottom halves x2, some x4, some down&hold, so plenty of variety of bastard moves. A long time before the break, and only about a minute or so after the break , most of which is singles. Nice one to teach.
4. Back: The Tide - Twilight
It's OK. I don't love the music, but it works fine in context. Mid-length back track, two breaks. The PowerPress is back, but you only get two at a time (separated by a triple row) so it's really not too hard. No wide rows, which I consider to be a good thing.
5. Triceps: Till The World Ends - Britney Spears
Not a bad one for teaching. Extensions and presses, then narrow press-ups (hands on bench), then overhead presses. Simple choreography, easy to learn (and hopefully easy to go back to in future). From a teaching point of view the lyrics "we ain't stopping" and "if you feel it, let it happen" are useful.
6. Biceps: Eye Of The Tiger - Altiyan Childs
Love love love it. I'm definitely showing my age. No breaks (apart from a shoulder roll, which can be staggered to fit the music in the cheesiest possible way), but easy enough choreography. Several bits that are prefect for "fitness magic", and yes I do massively up the cheese factor. Because I can.
7. Lunges: Fading Like A Flower (Club Radio Mix) - Dan Winter
Bastard.
5 minutes 20, so on the long side though by no means the longest. Squats, then static lunges and then dynamic lunges on one leg. Then more static and dynamic on the other leg.
There are three options in the dynamic lunges - normal back-step ones, ditto with knee lift, and propulsion lunges. The latter are the bastards - you have to jump off the floor and try to punch the ceiling. And as the instructor, I'm sort of expected to take the bastard option.
Apparently there's more propulsion lunges in the next release. Oh joy.
8. Shoulders: Hands Up! - Jens O.
Beepy shit. (Not an insult, btw. I quite like some beepy shit). Longest one since I've been teaching, which seems to be a trend - the three longest shoulder tracks on my iPod are the most recent three releases. Shoulder presses, a very few rear delt raises, then supersetting rotator raises and press-ups. Easy choreography from a teaching point of view. While the music isn't my thing, I have to say the lyrics "hands up in the air" just as you're doing a shoulder press is an absolute gift to an instructor.
9. Abs: Rolling In The Deep - Colourbox
Same music as the abs track from the last BodyBalance release, which was a bit confusing when I was first learning it. I rather like this one - simple (mostly crunches and hovers) with hardly anything that confuses the class. I'm also getting better at side hovers.
10. Cooldown: Fade Into Me - David Cook
Meh. It's fine.
In general? Perfectly good release, with some really good bits and very few naff bits.
1. Warmup: Resuscitate Me - September
Meh. Dull generic music, perfectly average moves. Apart from a few 'down and hold' squats, nothing really to comment on. At 5:31 minutes it's on the long side of average. Don't mind it, but won't be rushing to use it regularly in future.
2. Squats: The Edge Of Glory (Glory Mix) - Red Beans & Rice
Just shy of six minutes, this is joint-longest squat track since I started (joint with release 79). Three sections, the second and third having the same choreography so much easier to remember. It's fine.
3. Chest: Smells Like Teen Spirit - Ninth Immortal
I like it. Two sections before the break, with identical choreography (so again easier to remember). Some bottom halves x2, some x4, some down&hold, so plenty of variety of bastard moves. A long time before the break, and only about a minute or so after the break , most of which is singles. Nice one to teach.
4. Back: The Tide - Twilight
It's OK. I don't love the music, but it works fine in context. Mid-length back track, two breaks. The PowerPress is back, but you only get two at a time (separated by a triple row) so it's really not too hard. No wide rows, which I consider to be a good thing.
5. Triceps: Till The World Ends - Britney Spears
Not a bad one for teaching. Extensions and presses, then narrow press-ups (hands on bench), then overhead presses. Simple choreography, easy to learn (and hopefully easy to go back to in future). From a teaching point of view the lyrics "we ain't stopping" and "if you feel it, let it happen" are useful.
6. Biceps: Eye Of The Tiger - Altiyan Childs
Love love love it. I'm definitely showing my age. No breaks (apart from a shoulder roll, which can be staggered to fit the music in the cheesiest possible way), but easy enough choreography. Several bits that are prefect for "fitness magic", and yes I do massively up the cheese factor. Because I can.
7. Lunges: Fading Like A Flower (Club Radio Mix) - Dan Winter
Bastard.
5 minutes 20, so on the long side though by no means the longest. Squats, then static lunges and then dynamic lunges on one leg. Then more static and dynamic on the other leg.
There are three options in the dynamic lunges - normal back-step ones, ditto with knee lift, and propulsion lunges. The latter are the bastards - you have to jump off the floor and try to punch the ceiling. And as the instructor, I'm sort of expected to take the bastard option.
Apparently there's more propulsion lunges in the next release. Oh joy.
8. Shoulders: Hands Up! - Jens O.
Beepy shit. (Not an insult, btw. I quite like some beepy shit). Longest one since I've been teaching, which seems to be a trend - the three longest shoulder tracks on my iPod are the most recent three releases. Shoulder presses, a very few rear delt raises, then supersetting rotator raises and press-ups. Easy choreography from a teaching point of view. While the music isn't my thing, I have to say the lyrics "hands up in the air" just as you're doing a shoulder press is an absolute gift to an instructor.
9. Abs: Rolling In The Deep - Colourbox
Same music as the abs track from the last BodyBalance release, which was a bit confusing when I was first learning it. I rather like this one - simple (mostly crunches and hovers) with hardly anything that confuses the class. I'm also getting better at side hovers.
10. Cooldown: Fade Into Me - David Cook
Meh. It's fine.
In general? Perfectly good release, with some really good bits and very few naff bits.