The Les Mills Phenomenon!

By far the most popular form of group exercise offered today, Les Mills has become a phenomenon in the Fitness Industry. Originating in New Zealand Les Mills has revolutionised group exercise practices in gyms all over the world.

Les Mills created eight choreographed group exercise-to-music programs each delivering an hour-long workout in one of the classic exercise genres, such as weight training, mind-body, martial arts, step and dance. These classes are easily identifiable by their trademark prefix of “Body” before the class name, for example; “Body Pump”, “Body Balance”, “Body Combat, “Body Step” etc.

The Les Mills Program Directors create a new class, with new music and choreography, every three months, drawing on the latest trends in music and the latest developments in exercise science. When the new classes are perfected, they are filmed for DVD and dispatched with choreography notes, education sessions and licensed music CDs to the 10,000 qualified Les Mills instructors working in facilities which have licensed one or more of the Les Mills programs from Les Mills Asia Pacific.

Today it is estimated that over one million people a week attend a Les Mills class around Australia and South East Asia. This is testament to the power of Les Mills’ programs and its mission to create life changing fitness experiences every time, everywhere.

Excerpt from the Les Mills website for more info see: www. lesmills.com

The benefits of Group Exercise

The benefits of attending a group class include:

Proper instruction
Correct technique is important in any workout for the prevention of injury and to maximise results. Class instruction is great for those who may be intimidated to use particular equipment, by learning about proper technique in a group environment.


Motivation
Exercising side by side with others brings out the ego in all of us. Being able to keep up with the class is great motivation for pushing personal boundaries and achieving goals.

Socialisation
Interaction with other class members who share common interests is a great way to meet new people and make new friends.

Consistency in routine
Scheduled classes are particularly good for those who like to work to a routine. They enable people with limited time to fit in a full body workout in a set timeframe.

Which Class??
Gyms offer a variety of classes, all offering different benefits and demand varying skills and effort on the part of participants. All classes can be adapted to an individual level. You can engage in group exercise according to personal preferences there are many different classes to choose from some include:

Les Mills choreographed classes
By far the most popular form of group exercise offered in gyms worldwide. These pre-choreographed classes follow strict guidelines and can only be taught by Les Mills accredited instructors. Les Mills classes can be identified by their trademark “body” prefix. They offer a range of classes to suit every workout including:
“Body Pump” – Weight workout
“Body Attack” – Cardio workout
“Body Combat” – Aerobic workout incorporation non contact martial arts
“Body Jam” – Dance workout
“Body Balance” - Incorporates a mix of Yoga, Tai Chi & Pilates

Cycle/Spin classes
Conducted indoors you need not have any bike riding experience as all bikes are stationary and supported by stands. These intense classes get you to rise up from your seats, peddle against a high level of resistance and pump your legs at a rapid pace in various combinations. The ultimate challenge, as you ride to the rhythm of the music.

Yoga
In this face paced world time out to relax your body and calm your mind is essential. In yoga postures flow one after the next with soothing sounds tracks, and end in a deep relaxation session. Yoga postures ultimately require and build strength, as you hold a position it demands your body to find balance engaging muscles in ways that rarely occur in everyday living. This is a great workout for your health and wellbeing.

Pilates
Pilates focuses on body awareness, and symmetry in motion. It uses controlled movements working on the pelvic floor and core muscles particularly the lower back, oblique, abdominal and hip muscles.

Freestyle Boxing
Freestyle Boxing as opposed to “body combat” permits body contact using boxing gloves and protective pads. Classes allow for a full body workout with aerobic and muscle building aspects.

Group exercise classes vary by as much as the different fitness instructors who teach them. So try them all and mix them up. Variety really does create the best balance.

For information on a class near you go to Connect Fitness, and check out ourlatest timetables!