Coming fresh on the heels of an awesome BodyPump 53 release, number 54 has some big shoes to fill. So does it make the mark? Let's have a look:
Warm Up - Tami says this is the best one yet - "It's not one of those typical girly songs - this one really gets your heart rate up and sets the tone for the rest of the workout." No kidding - we predict smiles all around the room when class opens with this one.The BodyPump 54 promo promised to be "Different. Better. Yet still the same" with "a fresh new feel to the proven Les Mills formula for getting bodies into shape in record time". So, did it do this? Here's what we think:
Squats - While it's unlikely many will ditch Bryan Adams' version of "Run To You" in favor of this one from Novaspace, this 5:39 monster has enough singles to challenge even the strongest set of legs. The new super slow "down and hold" looks like a sure bet for future BodyPump squat tracks.
Chest - As a chest track, "Summer Rain" lacks the raw power of "Push It", "Enter Sandman", "Stuck In The UK", and other class favorites. That said, however, this top & bottom combo routine is rich with singles and pulses - check your weights before you scratch this tune!
Back & Hamstrings - If you like dead rows, you'll love this routine. Your underhand intro includes four sets of triples, followed by seven. And, if that's not enough, two sets of triples and a seven follow each clean & press set. So why are we doing this to a love song?
Triceps - The backbeat of Gwen Stefani's "What You Waiting For" takes the intensity of this tricep buster to a whole new level. It's only 4:13, but the end can't come soon enough when you hit the floor for the final round of tricep push-ups!
Biceps - Flashy half-singles and stagger moves energize this bicep routine that's more fun than a barrel full of monkeys. "Car Wash" is a sure bet for the class favorite list!
Lunges - You know you're in for some pain whenever the lunge routine features a singles-pulses-singles sequence. But if you're a child of the 70's you won't feel a thing, thanks to the funky disco feel of this Shapeshifters tune.
Shoulders - Without exception, every BodyPump release features a track we both lay claim to for the launch - and it's been awhile since a shoulder track took that honor. So it boils down to this: Whoever gets to the mailbox first gets first dibs. And for BodyPump 54, that would be Tami...
Abs - We saw the introduction of the plate for ab work in 53, and we're glad to see that trend continue with 54. But it took a strong dose of Steve Miller LPs to cleanse our minds after Fatboy Slim's rendition of "The Joker"...
Cool Down - Sting's silky smooth "A Thousand Years" would be right at home in BodyBalance/Flow - and it works brilliantly as a BodyPump cool down. We won't be surprised if it turns up again in another Les Mills class.
Music - Re-makes of legendary songs like "Run To You" and "The Joker" have to do justice to the originals. We got that in prior releases with "Walk This Way" and "Lady Marmillade" (not to mention the Robbie Williams tracks), but the re-makes in this release (save "Word Up", of course) make us long for the originals. That said, this release features some exciting tracks, including Safri Duo's "Rise" for the warm up, a very cool tricep-bicep-lunges run, and topped off with a mesmerizing cool down. BodyPump 54 isn't as far out as the techno-heavy 52 release, but it's not quite in the same league musically as the legendary 44, 47, and 53 releases either. We give the BodyPump 54 playlist a B+.So, there you have it. Agree or disagree? Let us know - click the Comments link below and tell us about it!
Workout Routine - As we've mentioned in prior posts, the trend in BodyPump releases of late has been toward more intense workouts - and we're glad to report that BodyPump 54 keeps the heat on! We like the new super slow "down and hold" in squats, plus the biceps half-singles and stagger moves and the continued use of the plate in abs. And while we like the way the BodyPump routine continues to evolve into a more intense workout, we'd definitely welcome a return to some isometric ab work (releases 48 & 49, for example), or something wild like risers with push-ups in "Crack It" (release 50). We give the BodyPump 54 routine an A-.
Instructor Video - In a neat departure from prior releases, Program Director and Head Choreographer Mike McSweeney presents all ten Master Class tracks. The stage is kept fresh with continuous swaps through a team of Auckland presenters as shadows. We definitely noticed a higher degree of emphasis on form and technique beyond that of prior releases, with Mike calling attention to specific coaching cues that instructors need to focus on during their own presentations. The video for this release felt less like a show and more like a class for instructors, and that's why we give it an A.
I am very jealous! Although the new Group Power has really great chore, and great thought behind it--the music is very superficial and is lacking in a big way. I'd give anything to be getting BodyPump 54, not to mention the new RPM (the group ride music is totally tragic) but us Canadians are SOL!
Hi Everyone
Ive been surfing around the web to find like minded people who love Bodypump.
Im in Ireland and I can tell you that we love the routines and cant get enough of it.
Ciaran
N Ireland
Looking forward to your review of Bodypump 54. It is a tough BP release.
Howdy Ciaran, welcome to our blog!
Thanks for your info. As one of the "foolish" instructors who is trying to do both Bodypump and Power, I too am looking to check this release out as well. I love the Power one and by the sounds of it, I'll like the BP54. Should be getting mine soon. Thanks.
Orlando
North Carolina
Hi Guys:
Our club too has gone with Les Mills, at least for the next year. It's a proven program doing well at our club, and until we have an opportunity to fully evaluate the BTS offering, it was an easy choice. The best news is that our owner let the group fitness director and staff make the decision.
I liked your comments on release 54. I generally agree, but I think the chest track may be better than you think. I must confess I have not done it with weight yet, but the tune is very catchy and the exercise seems tough from the video. If not, nothing a little weight won't solve.
Like you guys, both my wife Gina and I are instructors and we enjoy your site very much. Best wishes.
Gina and Tucker
Georgia, USA
Hi Gina and Tucker, thank you for your response! Tami said she thinks the chest song is kind of growing on her as she listens to it more. I'm still undecided though!
Craig
Orlando - So you're doing both, that's great! Bet it's not easy to memorize and perform all that - we're very impressed!
I agree with everything, but I have to give the music an A also!! Love the warmup, for sure a favorite!!
I love Bodypump!! I can't get enough of it!!!
hey guys love reading the comments - pumpfrog
Hi Mike Pumpfrog please drop by my blogger :)
http://bodypump_tracks.blogspot.com/
Hi Mike I´m from Spain!!!!!!! You can check it out our SPANISH FORUM at www.forobts.com it would be a pleasure for all of us.
i´m agree BP 54 is a great one mix nice warm-up hard&cute work rest of tracks specially hamstrings/back,love it!!!!!!!
Regards!!!!!!!
Salskeletor
BP&BC INSTRUCTOR
salutations!
it was posted that the cooldown for bodypump 54 ("a thousand years" by sting) should come out in other les mills programs as well. in fact, it first was released in bodyflow 13 as the warmup track. by the way, i just adore the tracks and choreography of bodyflow 28--it has a very athletic choreography that makes me sweat like crazy (not as much as bodypump though)!
our club will be launching bodypump 54 this 072705. heard some of the tracks already since "summer rain" was used in the last RPM and of course "wacha waiting for" and "car wash" are being played over the radio. i could already imagine the choreography.
best regards,
marvin
manila, philippines
marvin.lechido@up.edu.ph
_______
"The philosophers have interpreted the world in various ways; the point, however, is to change it." --Karl Marx
Hi Everyone - I am also one of those crazy instructors who now does both BP & BTS.
I am so glad that I dont have to give up my Bodypump music taking the time to learn both is definitely worth it .... I LOVE 54!! I didnt care for 53 and 54 was a definite improvement. The best track to me is chest. I love the song and love the top to bottom and bottom to top workout ... you feel it at the end.
I too hope they use a little more rock songs my guys favorite release is 43 - everything on there is great!
Pump on!!!
Lynn
Good evening everyone, looks like the whole world is going pump mad. The new release is great, I love it, been doing it for a few weeks and the best track is Gwen what you waiting for, its like a breathe of fresh air just hen you need it. Ive started doing rpm just before the pump class and ive started to notice results. Cant get enought of it.
Ciaran
Thanks for the very thorough reviews of BodyPump on your site - I really enjoy reading them! I just did BodyPump 54 for the first time last night, and I loved it, particularly biceps and triceps. Hopefully some teaching in store for me in the future! :)
-Natalie*
Hi Natlie
Glad you enjoyed pump, I hope the arms arent to sore today
Ciaran
HI FOR ANY OF YOU WONDERING WHAT BTS IS LIKE, WE AS INSTRUCTORS HAD NO CHOICE WE HAD TO GO WITH BTS..
I SO MISS PUMP & STEP AND I CAN SPEAK FOR 5 OTHER INSTRUCTORS TOO.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING BACK TO LES MILLS TRYING LIKE CRAZY!!!