If your health is revolting... why aren’t you? Whether you are just starting on your fitness journey, have hit a plateau, or just need to shake things up…NOW is the time to try a new class or program. Revolting against your own status quo is your best line of defense against epidemic obesity and the health problems that come with it. But, how do you know what class, when the time is right, and why you should make the effort to shake things up?

Every 8-16 weeks, depending on your reference, the human body is capable of adapting to an activity. That 12 week average is the reason why Les Mills programs are released every 3 months. In order to achieve maximum results and sustain optimal fitness, every 12 weeks participants need to do one of three things: 1-change workout/class type (hence new choreography) 2-change the duration or number of workouts/classes 3-change the intensity of workouts/classes. Only you know where you are now, but the Les Mills solution has a challenge for everyone that can result in amazing changes to your body. Additionally, regularly refreshing your routine prevents burn out, overtraining, and boredom.

Now... what should you try?

Want to work out with a new group or a family member? BODYVIVE®: This is a fabulous multi-generational program that can serve numerous purposes. For the intense athlete in danger of over training, BODYVIVE® offers an active alternative to a day “off”. BODYVIVE® is as intense as you make it so seniors, teens, novices, and weekend warriors all see tremendous benefit from the program.

Need a cardio challenge? BODYATTACK® and BODYCOMBAT®: These incredible classes are fierce! Options allow participants of multiple levels to leave feeling successful. The only rules? Take the options when you need them and “buy in” to the character and intensity of the class.

Do ya think you can dance? BODYJAM®: For the rhythmically inclined or dance inspired, this is the perfect cardio class. Options are available to help participants move for the entire class at their own pace.

Want intense cardio without all the impact? RPM®: Cyclists love the intensity and variety in this 50 minute power ride. Highly skilled instructors lead the pack through a self-regulated work out that can crush up to 600 calories.

Need to shape your rear while you work your heart? BODYSTEP®: Did you love step once upon a time? Do you long for a simple, leg and bun sculpting cardio work out that is a lot of fun? BODYSTEP® is what step was meant to be. It is simple, uses varied moves, heights, and positions on, over, and around the step to accomplish cardio and lower body training all in one.

Want to change the shape of your body? BODYPUMP®: This class takes an adjustable barbell, fabulous music, and simple movements and creates the fastest way in the universe to get in shape. Perfect for experienced lifters and beginners, BODYPUMP® three times a week is proven to improve heart, bone, and muscular health.

Got stress? BODYFLOW®: Becoming calm and centered can seem unattainable. BODYFLOW® is a unique blend of tai chi, yoga, and Pilates that takes you “there”: that quiet place within. A complete mind/body experience, BODYFLOW® takes you from flowing tai chi, to sun salutations, to Pilates core work, to a slow, deep stretch and relaxation.

To know where you need to be next, take a look at where you are now. If you are all cardio all the time, pick up another format and see the difference cross training makes. The new year is the perfect time to REVOLT while you RESOLVE to change your health and wellness for the better. Jump into any one of these amazing classes for a life changing experience, every class, every time!

With a new year comes the expectation of all things “new”. Not only will new members be populating fitness centers all over, but new equipment will be delivered and new programs begun. What will YOUR club be doing? Are you introducing anything “new”?

A brief review of trends will tell you that bootcamp/sports conditioning and small group training are the most popular formats in all of fitness. Mind/body fusion classes are also holding firm among the most popular and expanded options for seniors continue to grow as does this key demographic. So... what does your facility need? ALL of it!

While it is not possible to be all things to all people all the time, it is important to be aware of where your facility stands. Programming should not be dictated exclusively by trends, but remaining current and relevant requires that owners and managers do their homework about the industry at large as well as the population of their facilities.

Les Mills clubs have a fabulous set of tools within the Club Count system by which to track class/instructor/time slot demand as well as group attendance overall. Using these numbers, one can ascertain the logical next step for the group fitness department. Ask these questions, consider these programs, and watch your numbers continue to increase:

1. Do we meet the needs of the cardio “animal” who would seek the sports conditioning class? BODYATTACK® is the solution if your answer is “no”. This program speaks to the 18-35 demographic, runners, and athletes seeking to cross train.

2. Do we meet the needs of the “small group” training client? BODYPUMP® can be utilized effectively beyond the group fitness room. Small groups who require special attention can be trained by a BODYPUMP® instructor toward improved strength and stamina while also gaining the confidence and socialization required to take the next fitness step.

3. Do we meet the needs of the mind/body fusion enthusiasts? This group is ever expanding as hard core “yogis” and Pilates devotees look to expand their options. BODYFLOW® is the perfect solution as it speaks to novices and experienced participants alike.

4. Do we meet the needs of the active aging and multi-generational populations? This group must not be ignored. Within Les Mills, BODYVIVE® is the perfect solution. Young and old engage in fitness and fun at self-determined intensity to meet a multitude of needs for your program.

**Clubs with pools may find they need an active option that actually focuses more on fitness. WATERinMOTION™ is a great option. More scripted than the “typical” aqua class, this program allows participants to work at their own level while experiencing visible changes to their physique and fitness. WATERinMOTION™ is a total body work out that includes cardio, toning, core and flexibility training in under an hour. This could be the new WAVE your pool needs to reach an important population.

No matter what, NEW is important in January. The new beginning and re-start offers many opportunities to reach markets that are largely unavailable most of the year. Be sure to take advantage of the excitement of the new year, trends, and events to bring ‘em in and make ‘em stay.

By Zachary Lewis & Robert Higgs (reprinted with permission of Plain Dealership and Cleveland.com)

What part of the name "BODYATTACK®" I didn't understand, I don't know.

Somehow, I had the notion that the newest class at Avon's EMH Center for Health & Fitness would be easy. Well, surprise, surprise, it attacked.

Hard.

One hour later, I was ready to label this intense, fast-paced activity "advanced."

I guess I could have picked another class. Les Mills, creator of "BODYATTACK®" and a host of other trademarked fitness routines, has an entire series of "BODY" workouts: "JAM," "FLOW," "STEP."

Lakeshore Sports Club, in Eastlake, another center in Northeast Ohio currently offering Les Mills classes, also gave me the choice of "BODYPUMP®.."

But Lindy Bison, group exercise coordinator there, said "ATTACK" is the most athletic, and I took the bait.

She wasn't kidding. As I quickly discovered, "ATTACK" is heavily steeped in sports, incorporating movements from basketball, football, skiing and ice skating.

If I'm not mistaken, there's even a smack of Irish dancing. More on that later.

But if the elements of "ATTACK" aren't entirely unique, its structure is. Each class is broken into 11 distinct parts: a warm-up and cool-down, cardiovascular activities, and workouts for the upper and lower body. Which one you're in is always clear.

Most group-fitness classes help you hit and hold your peak heart-rate once. "ATTACK" does so twice. What's more, it does so without weights or any accessories other than a mat. There aren't any rest periods, either.

The only crutch, if you can call it that, is music. Between its driving rhythms and inspiring lyrics, the soundtrack Bison played definitely helped me stay in gear.

Unfortunately, music doesn't make me coordinated. Often I found myself fumbling around, struggling to get my arms and legs in sync with Bison's.

But if I didn't get a movement right immediately, I usually figured it out on the second or third try. Each new motion became part of a larger sequence that Bison would repeat several times.

The variety was endless. There were kicks, punches, leg lifts and jumping jacks. One moment, we'd be running around the room, and the next, we'd be on our hands and knees doing something completely different, like push-ups.

Imitating basketball, we blocked shots and faked passes, while in winter-sports mode, we slalomed like skiers and hunkered down like speed skaters and swayed our arms and legs. Several times, we moved like Michael Flatley, clasping our hands behind our backs and skipping left and right.

If anything about "ATTACK" was "easy" for me, it was the cardiovascular stuff. At one point, I told Bison I'd be happy to keep running around the room in lieu of more push-ups. I suppose the cool-down crunches and stretches weren't too bad, either.

But most of the hour I spent huffing and puffing, flailing and fudging, trying to not slip in the puddle of my own sweat. At the end, I felt like I'd just completed a sprint triathlon.

Good thing about a sprint is, it passes quickly. And sure enough, "ATTACK" was over in a flash.

LES MILLS MIDWEST CELEBRATES THE FOLLOWING TRIBAL ADDITIONS FOR SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER!!

WELCOME TO THE TRIBE:

September:
GF Fitness in Grand Rapids, MI
Power House Gym-North Olmstead, OH
YMCA-Alfred Campanelli in Schaumburg, IL
YMCA-Helen G. Nassif of Cedar Rapids, IA
YMCA-Marion of Marion, IA
YMCA-Stoney Point Branch in Cedar Rapids, IA
The Gathering Place Sports and Fitness of Greenwood, IN
YMCA River Valley in Prior Lake, MN

October:
Brian’s Gym in Sedalia, MO
Carol Stream Park District of Carol Stream, IL
7 Flags Fitness and Racquet Club of Clive, OH
Impact Fitness in Bradley, IL
Northwestern Sports and Aquatics Center in Evanston, IL
Gold’s Gym-Waukesha in Waukesha, WI
Woodside Health Club of Westwood, KS

BODYVIVE® brings wise heads and hot bodies together in:

September:
East Hills Athletic Club of Grand Rapids, MI
Key Largo Fitness & Tanning (West) in Columbia, MO
Lady of America Fitness for Women – Canton, OH
Michigan Athletic Club in Grand Rapids, MI


October:
Prairie Athletic Club of Sun Prairie, WI
St. Luke Hospital in Kansas City, MO

STEP IT UP! Now offering BODYSTEP®:

September:
Gold’s Gym-Michigan in Indianapolis, IN

October:
ChiroFitness Xtreme of Rock Island, IL

BODYATTACK® invades:

September:
YMCA-Lafayette Family of Lafayette, IN
Club Fitness 24 by Powerhouse in Kokomo, IN
Wilson’s FIT in Columbia, MO

October:
ChiroFitness Xtreme in Rock Island, IL

Warriors were unleashed by BODYCOMBAT® in:

September:
YMCA-Armbrust Family of Omaha, NE

In September: Health Fitness Corporation Aramark is getting the kind of legs shorts want to wear with BODYPUMP® in Downers Grove, IL.

BODYFLOW® is calming and centering in:

September:

Wild River Fitness Center in Osceola, WI
Wilson’s Fitness (North) of Columbia, MO

October:

ChiroFitness Xtreme of Rock Island, IL

Riding it like they stole it with RPM®:

September:

Wilson’s Fitness (South) in Columbia, MO

Gold’s Gym Carbondale in Illinois are getting high on the feeling of dance with BODYJAM®!