Bodycombat - now and then

It's good that I kept this blog alive, makes it so easy to back track to my previous life!
September 2008, I declared bodycombat as my new hobby - here.
Back then, I would be at the gym every other day and I'd go to every quarterly launch.

Going into the fifth year now in 2013, while, I'm not that "crazy" anymore, it's still one of the main activities that keeps me fit, active and happy.  It's like a regular dosage of happy vitamins ahaha. Not a bad thing eh..

To me, "Shopping, Beauty treatments, Exercise, Eating good food, Family and Friends" are the key elements to keep us happy.  Apart from the fact that I'm not married yet, I think I have all the above.  Don't mind a little bit more cash to do more though. Hee..


Oh..back to Bodycombat.

Yah,.I was saying, I do less of it now, only about 2, max 3 classes a week.  I've not attended any quarterly launches for quite some time, but I do make sure I try any new quarterly release as soon as I can.  Les Mills does a mighty good job in making sure that each release is tougher if not better than previous.

And time flies..just tried the 55th release on Sunday morning.  It was release 36 back in 2008 when I first started, oh boy..so much has changed.  I'd say it's 10 times faster, tougher and harder in current releases.

See below.. a 'trailer' of the 55th module presented by the program directors themselves. With them is another one of the top presenters in the world.







If you're interested, the one hour for this particular release goes something like this:

Track 1:
Very long warm up - about 7-8 mins - enough to start you panting and sweating

Track 2:
Lower body work - 5+ mins - lots of kicks and lunges - absolutely a torture for my weak lower body

Track 3-4:
Arms, arms arms - 5+ mins - you won't feel your arms after this.
More leg work! - 6+ mins - urgh...my poor back and legs.


Track 5:
Fun track! - 4+ mins - most fun and relaxing of all but can be quite taxing cardio wise

Track 6-7:
Recovery (not) - 5+ mins - more kicks, with some cool moves, I like.
(Track 6 was suppose to be a recovery track those days, not anymore)

Inspired by Muay Thai - 6 + mins of knees, jump knees, downward punches..normally numbeb and pumped if one lasts till this stage of the class.

Track 8:
Back to arms - 6 + mins - always the favourite part for me..no more legs! Great music and awesome epic end.

Track 9:
Well, not really the end yet, only 3+ mins of conditioning but..3 mins seems never ending when there are  shoulder tap push ups , abs work and that whatever it's called mountain climb move for the core...



There's something about all these exercise programs, that I can't explain and I'm not a qualified trainer nor practitioner to give any advice. I can only share my experience as a 'user'... my back and knees didn't feel good for the last week, I told myself I'd still come and try out the class but will take it easy and leave if pain get worse.

It was quite tough in the beginning, I was preparing to leave if it gets worse..but the program was designed for a whole body workout.  Surprisingly, I felt much better as the class progresses, so I stayed till the end and the feeling of satisfaction is beyond description.  The back and knees are still sore as I'm writing this, I shall be responsible to my body and rest for a day or two, if I can help it :P

A friend was just telling me that whenever we talk about pains and injuries, she gets the impression that BC causes injuries. Speaking on behalf of all exercise junkies, we don't deny that we do get our share of injuries and pains as a result of exercising.

Why don't we look at the the other side of the coin instead.

Going back to before I get involved in all these..I had my fair share of problems due to poor blood circulation.  I had shoulder aches, back aches, neck aches, I was unfit and sluggish.

True..I developed some aches and pains probably due to overuse or wrong technique. Let's not blame the exercise.  It all boils down to the individual, how we do the movements, how much we push ourselves, etc.  For me personally, I feel stronger, healthier, fitter and happier now, I'd describe the pain as happy pains :D

In conclusion, in my case I think I gained more than I lose.  Many times, I've wondered if I'd be able to use some of the techniques when a robber attacks, for example :D D D

While it's true that all these don't guarantee that I live longer and I'm immuned from sickness..I may even drop dead one day due to over exertion (note : a man aged 50 died after collapsing during a run on a Sunday event) but the bottom line is I'm happy doing what I like doing now.  I'm happy having something else to look forward to apart from working, eating, watching TV, surfing the net and sleeping.


We can argue the different school of thoughts until the cows come home..there won't be a perfect answer.  It's all very individual.