Can we make a Les Mills on demand thread?

[Upsidedownrightnow]

I'm just wondering if others are using Les Mills on demand and if we could maybe check in with each other to discuss what we are doing and what our goals are etc?

I am trying to loose 1 stone and doing 5:2 but i eat too much on my non-fasting days so I don't really loose any weight, so I'm adding exercise in the hope of shifting some weight

So far I have done bodycombat 3 times this week for about half an hour each and some weights and flexibility training, but I think from next week I will be adding in bodypump

Is anyone else using this? I am really enjoying it so far

Sh'bam for me this morning. There were a lot of hanging around doing step-touch while I tried to work out what the hell they were doing.

I'm a morning exerciser too. I did BP114 30mins this morning as short on time but still glad I got something in.

Can I join? Rediscovered pump middle of last year - realised it had been 20 years since I did it (anyone remember “it’s raining men” squats? That’s how long). Been using the LMOD app since the start of the year. 114 is my favourite that’s on there but I also liked 115 in class so I’m hoping they add that soon.

Pump is the only exercise I don’t hate.

Did Bodycombat #82 yesterday. I’d forgotten how intense these workouts are!!! Long run today but will get back on to LMOD tomorrow

I just signed up to the free trial having done JM 30 Day shred before and running intermittently. I've only done one body attack and one grit cardio. I found it SO SO hard.

In part because I couldn't keep up with all the different moves and change in pace, but also just because I was knackered! Did everyone feel like this to begin with? Wondering if it's worth persisting?!

It’s definitely worth persisting. The first time you do any release it can feel a bit “off” while you get used to the choreography for that video, but the next time it’s much easier to follow along because it’s not as new.

Grit and BA are really hard!. I build up to them with Combat and then hybrid (so only 12 mins or whatever). And do CoreCX so your core is strong which helps with all the others but doesn't involve leaping around.

What is a good toning one pls? eg no cardio

Thank you! I'll keep going with it.

They're so hard @MsMartini ! I was put off some of the others because they needed equipment, of which I don't have any. I'll go back and take another look though

BodyPump good for all over toning. Maybe also barre and CX for specific areas.

I find BodyAttack I picked up pretty quickly, moves are relatively straightforward once you've done it a couple of times. Can't say the same for Sh'bam! Combat I don't think I'm getting the subtlety of some of the moves and I don't find it a great workout, I like the kicking but not the punching! Step I once sat on the step and cried, but I seem to have got the hang of that better now.

At 52 though I have good cardio fitness, I can't always change directions quickly enough to keep up, BA is simpler for this I think.

Yes, I agree @TabbyStar, Attack isn't too complicated. I find it hard to motivate myself to do it at home, though. Whereas Combat is such fun - I punch politicians and feel like a ninja warrior (am 54, and have never ever been ninja-like). I like the longer ones as you get some strength and core work too. And it is a bit less intense cardio-wise but I still find it satisfying. I've done step a few times - usually in the wrong direction .

@ilkleymoorbartat, try a hybrid class? Combat usually comes first, then Attack or Grit, then Core. So Combat is like the warm up, then an intense bit of burpee-ing or whatever but only short, then core (and then balance but i often skip that). I did some of them before doing the full Grit or Attack and it helped. And the variety is great. Sometimes, I just sub in something I can do - I'm not keen on tuck jumps when legs are tired say so I do jumping jacks instead.

Thank you

So I watched the intro video for combat after hearing so many people rave about it. I went through all the moves and got comfortable with them and was looking forward to feeling like a mighty warrior.

I couldn’t keep up with the first minute of the first warm up - it’s so FAST.

Pump is the only one I can bear/do.

I can't get the footwork with Combat where you're punching and shuffling around at the same time! (I'm sure they don't think of it as shuffling, but that's what I end up doing!)

I shuffle too . Can't do those split jumps either, and quite a few other things. Sometimes I revert to an easier combo. But I am getting better slowly, I think, and I really enjoy it, and want to do it - perhaps that matters more than anything, especially at the moment?

I think for most classes there are introductory videos you can do to get the basic moves. Didn't fix me for Sh'bam, but did help me keep up with Barre!

I definitely don't move like a Ninja doing Body Combat, I know my guard is sloppy and somewhere up near my ear, and if I was really fighting I'd have had my fist slammed into my ears by now as that was type of twatty "That'll learn ya" move my sensei used to do.

May I join you? Signed up for the 30 days free but I think I might carry on with it as I've been enjoying it. I am trying to do the Fast Burner programme so doing a bit of everything but I really struggled with making my body do what Sh'Bam is asking of it 😂

BodyCombat seems to suit me best but that may be because I have done a few classes before - albeit a long long time ago!

I absolutely love Combat. If I could only do one exercise for the rest of my life it would probably be that one. If you have a mirror (or a back door in my case that I can see my reflection in) it can really help you get the form right - driving from the shoulder with the jabs for example instead of flinging from the elbow, and getting the twist in the heel for hooks. Love it.

Did BP114 yesterday, day off today while I tidy the pigsty, then need to find something to do tomorrow. Did step last Monday, didn’t love it but could see why it would be good for me. Anything with burpees is off the list

I also find trying to navigate all the differ classes a bit confusing. Can anyone recommend the names of some classes for someone with a moderate level of fitness by non of the equipment (apart from small hand weights). Please?!!

Ilkley

So the best thing is to give them a try. I also think if you sign up for one of the 'plans' you can get a bit of a try of most things. When I started there was a no-equipment 'Optimal Mix Prime' which was 30 minutes 3 times a week and it would say something like 'Body Combat #80, 30 minutes . Most workouts come in 30/45/55 minute variations (I think CXworx only comes in 30 minutes maybe). The shorter workouts are basically the same workout but skipping some of the exercises (e.g. 30 minute body pump doesn't do biceps and triceps).

If you're not certain if you can do a move in any of the classes, e.g. do a push up, wait for a couple of reps and they'll usually suggest an alternate for you. There's usually someone else on the stage doing the lower impact version to show you what to do.

Most of the classes have an 'intro' series of videos so you can get an idea of the moves you'll be doing, and you can give them a try.

I definitely do not recommend Grit Cardio as your first point of call though - I mean some people love it, but it's pretty relentless!

I think the no/very low equipment classes are:-

• Body Combat. This is a boxercise/martial arts style workout. I find this on the easiest to follow, but I did martial arts about 15 years ago, so I'm not standard. Doesn't really need anything equipment wise, could even be done barefoot. Why I signed up really - it's just a bit of fun and you work all your body.

• Body Attack. Basically, classic aerobics. Delivered to bouncy dance music by this crazy little pocket rocket instructor. Trainers required, and a mat to do situps etc would be nice. I didn't think I'd enjoy Body Attack but it's one of my favourites now.

• Body Balance. Yoga/Pilates/Tai Chi. A mat for the floor work would be nice.

• ShBam. Dancing. I personally don't get on too well with ShBam, but some people do love it. Only needs space and a willingness to dance like no-ones watching

Some equipment needed workouts

• Barre. Ballet Style workout. Can do it in socks, you don't need ballet slippers. Some of the workouts call for light hand weights.

• CXWorx. Core strengthening. Eventually you'd need an exercise band, and hand weights, but when you're getting started you can do it without.

Thank you so much @kittykarate this is really helpful!

The only workouts that really need equipment are

• The Trip, Sprint, RPM : These all need an exercise bike that has adjustable resistance.

• Body Step: Step Aerobics. You can learn the moves without a step, but longer term you need one with adjustable risers and it to be fairly long 80cm+

• Body Pump. High repetition, lower weight weight training. Most moves can be done with dumbbells/hand weights but you won't get much benefit if you have no weights whatsoever. It does call for you to have the 'step' to use as a bench for some of the exercises where you lie on your back.It's not essential, but nice to have.

• Grit Strength. This needs some weights to do the exercises. Fast and furious really, wouldn't recommend it as something you try for a little while.

I started LMOD with dumbells up to 5kg and resistance bands (which are very cheap and in stock and postable). Mainly did Combat and CoreCX - and still do . Sometimes the hybrids, like I said, as they ease me into the HIT (Grit or Attack) sections!

I've now got studio barbells from Mirafit. I tend to use them in my own strength workouts but occasionally do a LMOD (tend to avoid low weight/super high reps because of injury concerns). And a step - must do another step class - the last one nearly killed me but felt great in the rare occasions I was keeping up with them!

(cheap compared with weights I mean, and you can take them to the park and use them for strength stuff there)

Does anyone have issues with a stiff neck from the videos where there is a lot of core work (crunches etc)? It feels like muscle pain rather than anything particularly sinister, but wondering if there are any adaptations to support it a bit more?