Are you looking for a better workout routine to help you fall in love with fitness? Look no further than Les Mills classes. Developed by Les Mills International, these popular group fitness sessions offer a variety of workouts that cater to various fitness goals.
From high-intensity interval training to dance-inspired cardio routines, Les Mills classes offer approachable, results-driven workouts for people of all fitness levels.
Today, we explore some of the best Les Mills programs. Whether you want to lose weight, gain strength, enhance your cardiovascular fitness, or have a blast while working out, the Les Mills series has a class that’s right for you.
If you're in the Chicago area, we'll show you where to attend one of these stellar classes. So, without further ado, let’s delve into the features and benefits of some of the best Les Mills classes.
Les Mills workout classes are a series of group fitness programs developed by Les Mills International. These classes combine music, choreography, and scientifically-backed exercise techniques to provide an engaging and effective workout experience.
Each class is designed to target specific fitness goals and includes a variety of exercises and movements. Fitness centers and gyms worldwide, including Chicago Athletic Clubs, offer Les Mills classes led by certified Les Mills instructors.
The best Les Mills classes for weight loss are Grit Cardio, Sprint, and BodyJam.
Les Mills Grit Cardio is a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout program designed to provide a challenging cardiovascular workout that pushes participants to their limits. Grit Cardio combines intense bursts of exercise with short rest periods, aiming to maximize calorie burn, improve cardiovascular fitness, and enhance overall athletic performance.
The high-intensity nature of Grit Cardio makes it a powerful option for weight loss. The intense bursts of activity during the workout stimulate the body to burn calories during and after the session, leading to increased fat-burning and metabolic rates.
Additionally, the program's emphasis on cardiovascular fitness helps improve overall endurance, making it an efficient way to improve overall fitness levels.
Les Mills Sprint is a 30-minute HIIT indoor cycling workout designed to deliver a fast and effective cardiovascular workout. It combines bursts of all-out effort with short periods of recovery. The class is structured to challenge the cardiovascular system and improve lower body strength and power.
Les Mills Sprint is designed to maximize calorie burn, improve cardiovascular fitness, and enhance overall endurance. The intense intervals of work followed by brief recovery periods help boost metabolism and increase fat burning. The dynamic and energizing nature of the class keeps participants motivated and engaged throughout the session.
For those wanting a HIIT workout but needing a little less impact on the joints, Sprint is a great option.
Les Mills BodyJam is a group fitness class that incorporates various dance styles and music genres to create a more dynamic and engaging atmosphere. Participants follow along with choreographed dance routines with a blend of different music styles such as hip-hop, jazz, funk, Latin, and more. These dance routines are designed to be accessible to people of various fitness levels.
Not only does BodyJam provide a comprehensive cardio workout, but it also helps improve coordination and agility. Dance is a full-body workout, making it a fantastic way to burn calories and lose weight fast. Not to mention — it’s a lot of fun! The energetic nature of the class makes it easier to stay motivated to stick to your fitness routine until you’ve achieved your goals.
The best Les Mills classes for building muscle are Grit Strength, BodyPump, and Core.
Les Mills Grit Strength is a HIIT workout program designed to help participants increase lean muscle mass and improve overall strength and athleticism. Grit Strength workouts are typically 30 minutes long and focus on using barbells, weight plates, and bodyweight exercises to challenge and target major muscle groups.
This class incorporates compound exercises, such as squats, lunges, deadlifts, and presses, performed with high intensity and short recovery periods. The workouts stimulate muscular strength and endurance, leading to increased calorie burn, improved muscular definition, and enhanced functional strength.
Les Mills Core is a group fitness class designed to work the core muscles and improve overall functional strength. Participants engage in various exercises targeting the abdomen, lower back, hips, and glutes muscles.
Les Mills Core workouts commonly incorporate bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, and occasionally small weights or stability balls to challenge and strengthen the core muscle groups.
Les Mills Core classes are perfect for people who want to reap the benefits of a stronger, healthier core. Core strength is essential for maintaining proper posture and balance, and strong core muscles provide the foundation for many daily movements and activities most of us take for granted. Just as importantly, a strong core also helps to protect the spine from injuries.
BodyPump is a Les Mills fitness class that focuses on strengthening and toning the entire body through a combination of resistance exercises.
In a BodyPump class, participants typically use a barbell with adjustable weight plates to perform a series of reps that target different muscle groups. The class is choreographed to music and led by a certified Les Mills instructor who guides participants through proper form and technique.
BodyPump workouts typically involve high repetition sets with lighter weights to build endurance and muscular strength without excessive bulk. The exercises primarily include squats, lunges, presses, and curls, among others, targeting major muscle groups such as the legs, chest, back, arms, and shoulders.
For the best results, you should participate in two to three Les Mills classes per week with rest days in between. To maximize efficiency, you can combine two to three cardio classes and two to three strength classes per week, alternating between strength and cardio days.
By alternating classes and incorporating rest days throughout the week, you give your body time to recover and adapt to the high intensity Les Mills workouts.
It's crucial to listen to your body and adjust the frequency and intensity of the classes you take based on your individual fitness needs. Consider consulting a fitness professional to help you tailor your routine.
Les Mills fitness classes offer several advantages, making them popular among fitness enthusiasts.
Firstly, Les Mills classes provide a challenging workout experience that pushes participants to their limits. The combination of dynamic movements, high-intensity intervals, and resistance training in classes like BodyPump and BodyCombat helps burn calories quickly and build strength effectively.
Another advantage is the incorporation of music into the classes. The carefully curated playlists and synchronized choreography make the workouts more entertaining and serve as a powerful motivator. The beat of the music helps participants stay on track and maintain their intensity throughout the class, enhancing the overall experience.
Furthermore, Les Mills classes are great confidence boosters. The structured nature of the workouts and the supportive atmosphere created by the instructor and fellow participants can instill a sense of achievement and empowerment. Regular attendance and progress in these classes can improve fitness levels, body composition, and overall well-being.
On the other hand, one potential disadvantage of Les Mills fitness classes is their high intensity, which may pose a challenge for beginners or individuals with certain health conditions. As with any exercise, it is crucial to listen to your body — don’t be afraid to modify the exercises as needed, and gradually increase the intensity to prevent injury or overexertion.
Beginners may benefit from starting with lower-intensity classes or seeking guidance from a certified instructor to ensure proper form and technique.
Additionally, the availability of Les Mills classes can vary depending on the location and schedule of the fitness facilities near you. It's important to consider the accessibility of Les Mills classes in your area to ensure they align with your personal preferences and commitments.
Les Mills On Demand classes are available as virtual workouts for added convenience, but classes are also led live and in-person by certified fitness instructors.
You can take part in live Les Mills classes at many fitness facilities throughout the world, including Chicago Athletic Clubs.
Chicago Athletic Clubs offers a wide variety of Les Mills fitness classes, including:
With multiple locations across Chicago, CAC offers convenient access to Les Mills classes for all. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned fitness enthusiast, you'll find a class that suits your interests and fitness level at Chicago Athletic Clubs. You can even take advantage of a free trial with no commitment required.