As a generation of couch potatoes and workaholics we don't always find the time to exercise and eat healthily. It's easy to eat junk food, watch TV and play computer games. Statistics show that 65% of US adults are overweight and obesity is predicted to be the number one health problem of this century.
The fitness industry has started to deliver practical advice to improve your health by making sport and fitness fun. But when you think of exercise classes do you have an image of Jane Fonda and the Green Goddess? Tight fitting Lycra and headbands?
Forget aerobics that was the 80’s!In the early 1980’s in New Zealand Les Mills began to develop a series of exercise to music routines and by the mid 90’s introduced fitness routines such as Body Attack and Body Pump.
Inspired by martial arts and self defence disciplines Body Combat introduces elements of karate; kickboxing and Tai Chi and was introduced internationally in 1999. Growing in popularity over the years it now has over 5 million followers in 12,000 facilities in 70 countries and even produces its own clothing range.In 1997 Les Mills International became the Service Exporter of the Year producing one of New Zealand’s biggest products and today is one of the top five health and fitness brands
So what draws this tribe of fitness fanatics to the Body Combat culture?
Body Combat entered my life four years ago after joining a local gym. After being cajoled and pestered I finally submitted to the pressure and presented myself for what can only be described as an intense physical routine of kicking and punching to an energetic, high energy sound track. Feeling like a fish out of water I kicked and punched out of time to a variety of moves which, quite frankly, can be quite daunting to the uninitiated. Little did I know that I was to become addicted? With opening lines such as ‘Fitness is a battle; welcome to the frontline’ you know this is no ordinary exercise class.
Sarah, a Combat enthusiast, started Combat 4 years ago. As an asthma sufferer she struggled to find a suitable exercise routine. Encouraged by her class tutor she battled to overcome her medical problems and has gone on to become a fitness instructor in her own right. Now she is facing her Combat colleagues from the other side of the fence.
"Combat has changed my life" says Sarah "it's given me a new body and a new career. As an instructor now I get the biggest buzz from seeing the participants get better each week with their technique, start to work harder and when they come and tell me they are now seeing results with improvements in fitness levels, body shape etc, it's awesome!"
Introducing her class Sarah demonstrates the variety of moves used during the tracks from jabs, uppercuts and hooks to front and side kicks and developing onto heart pumping jump kicks. Adding some oomph and you soon start to feel the strengthening and toning effects which will have you fighting fit in no time.
"I try to motivate by being very energetic myself, geeing them up to give me a little bit more with each move and telling them how good they are and how much improvement I'm seeing each week. I like to use the music to raise energy levels and get the most out of the class. Combat can very easily become addictive (I should know!) but it's the best kind of addiction."
Jan, an active participant, of Combat explained "You don't need to be fit to do combat but the fitter you are the more you get out of the class. I have been doing combat for 4 years now. Funny thing is for the first 6 weeks I did not even realise that the music was the same each time let alone that it was choreographed! You can always work at your own pace but the fitter you are the harder you can punch, kick and jump. That's not all though the longer you do it the more interested you become in getting your technique correct and so here I am four years down the line and I still feel like I am learning something new. My favourite move is the evasive side kick closely followed by the jump kick. Body combat has awesome music tracks and high intensity tracks for those moves."
So what are the benefits of Body Combat?
- 1) Body Combat has been designed to reduce stress, improve general well-being and vitality and encouraging assertiveness and self-confidence.
2) Body Combat is an intense cardiovascular workout and helps to provide excellent cross-training for a variety of sports.
3) Body Combat is an effective calorie burner and helps promote changes in body composition resulting in a leaner and more toned body.
4) Body combat improves muscle strength and speed of movement enabling you to react faster.
5) Body Combat requires mental activation and therefore helps to improve focus and concentration.
6) Body Combat encourages perfect posture as it relies on core stabilisation and hense strong abdominal muscles.
7) Body Combat is an empowering workout which is great fun to do.
With over 13,000 fans chatting to members on the Body Combat Facebook group it becomes evident that Body Combat is no ordinary exercise class. The music pumps to an empowering athletic workout that will kick start your training in an adrenaline pumping routine to high energy dance music. Celebrating 10 years of Body Combat in the United Kingdom the 40th release is expected to provide a mix of physically and mentally challenging moves to keep you on your toes.
