Body Combat 59 review (ENG)

I'm back. Last weekend were the new releases. Including number 59 from the Body Combat series. Number 59 already. And to think that I have participated in BC1 and this is going to be my 24^th release as instructor

For those who follow LesMills next to the classes know that release 59 was quite special. This was the first time that the recordings for the DVDs were made outside New Zealand. This time the whole team was in Stockholm (Sweden). But that also meant that there were a lot of instructors from Europe at the recordings, less travel time.

I myself did not have time to go, but I heard a lot of stories, it was GREAT!

But of course that again is for instructors who see the DVD.

Here is my review on the songs of this new release:

01a. I Knew You Were Trouble (Remix Edit DRM) - Girls Only

Actually quite relaxed that we start with calm uppers. We just don’t start with a shuffle, but just do the uppers in a ‘combat-stance’. But off course the shuffle follows.

It is a fairly quiet start, the build up is good. Especially the ‘karate punch’ is nice. That is a great ‘warm-up’ for the upper and lower body.

Maybe it's a little too much to do an ‘esquiva’ this early in the release. There are many different moves in the first track.

Highlight: the ‘karate punch’

01b. Everything About You (Danceboy Remix Edit) - SupaHit

Some information about the music. Very nice to hear that song the coming 3 months. Big fan of the original and this version fits well in this part of the warm-up. Maybe not so wise to sing in the micofoon (".... hate everything about you ....").

For instructors, this one is easy to explain, I guess. Not too many quick transitions, but (almost) all the kicks.

But again, the music fits perfectly, because you can do a lot with it. Previously we have had that the music remained the same while the jabs and kicks changed. Not now, good choice!

Highlight: the music, definitely the music!

02. Danger Zone - International Outlaw

We'll use the sword. It's been a while back, since we used the sword. Nice moves and great for the abs. And the great thing about this song is that there are a lot of opportunities to do the options. For beginners, you can keep the 'sidekicks' fairly low and the experienced can do the 'advancing sidekicks’.

For guitar lovers, nice rock&roll!

Highlight: the sword combo

03. Be The One - Hixxy, Sy and Unknown

This number is for the shoulders and the shoulders alone. The ‘jab’ and ‘upper’ combination is fairly simple, but in five minutes your shoulders are completely burned. After this track you should really get them some rest.

Not very hard, maybe just in round 3 you'll have to count.

Highlight: not really

04. A Warrior's Call - Volbeat

It's not often that an original song (with original artist) is used, but I am very pleased that it is the case here.

The transitions between the different 'kicks' is somewhat more difficult, not very clear everywhere.

Again a clear case of 'I'm-going-to-get-a-lot-of-muscle-pain’.

This will starts with the 'shoot', and we have lots of them. And that in combination with some 'jump kicks’.

Highlight: fan of the 'shoot', good for everything.

05. Bright Like The Sun - Sy and Unknown feat. Kirsten Joy

I think we are a little spoiled with the last few "numbers 5”. I'm not a fan of this track 5. At least not of round 1 and 2. Round 3 (that's with a 'jump jab' and 'jump hook’) is good, a nice round with lots of activity.

We'll go back to the shoulders, hopefully they are a little recovered from track 3.

Highlight: the 3rd round

06. Danger Zone - K Drew

The reason I still have muscle pain, is mainly due to this track. It is only four and a half minutes long, but that's four and a half minutes ‘lunges’, ‘single leg’, ‘squats’ and ‘esquivas’. So, everything from the legs. Certainly the combination lunges with esquivas is painful. Not difficult to remember, but hard to do. Fortunately you can do some options…..

Maybe you can have a rest in the last 30 seconds of this track (but you did not hear this from me ..)

Highlight: the lunges (switch lunge)

07. Lost In Space - The Original Movies Orchestra

Again a lot of knees, not very difficult combinations. And fine guitars, the participants (instructors and course) who love rock music are spoiled in this release.

There is also not much to say about this track, good for your heart rate (that has to do endless series knees), but not very exciting.

The music is well used again, it fits all perfectly again.

Highlight: not really

08a. Falling From The Sky - Hixxy, Dave Castellano and Fat Steve

The 6 ‘jabs’ and ‘slip’ seems new to me, at least in that combination. But it will be difficult not to count to 8 (which we are accustomed to).

Lots of variety and good to do. In particular, the difference in speed is nice. This is a little spicier than the previous numbers 8. Also slightly longer than the last ones. Round 3 alone is 2 minutes (without any brake).

Highlight: The 6 ‘jabs-slip’ combination

09. Do or Die - Flux Pavilion feat. Childish Gambino

Only the name "bear pose" makes it a nice one. We have done this 'pose' a couple of releases ago. When we started back then we started quietly and we built it up in three levels. Not now, maybe just a build up in speed. But that does not make it easier.

Explanation; stand in a push-up position with bent knees (toes and hands on the ground, not the knees). Then you turn in and one leg is stretched behind your opposite arm (do you understand?).

And this in combination with some push-ups. Difficult to explain in words, better to do in practice

They are two rounds, and there is no build up in round two.

Highlight: the 'hip escape" (which I just tried to explain ....)

10. Fleurs Du Mal - Sarah Brightman

A quieter start of the cool down than the last two releases. A very beautiful, classic song.

But here as well a combination that will need some explanation. In the current release (58), many participants still struggling with the ‘cool down’ after two months.

Nothing exciting, just a nice ending. Maybe a little too quiet at the end.

The whole release is very good. I am very pleased with the music. As an instructor you can do a lot with it, there are many options.

However another thing when it comes to the presentation on the DVD (for instructors again). I'm not a fan of all these changes on stage. At one moment, there are four, and the next 10.

But again, that's for instructors (and the rest who see the DVD), and does not detract from the music or the combinations.

My favorite is track 6 (and number 1b, but that's mainly because of the music)

It will be great 3 months!!

Marco