Fighting the 15: Body Blast

Author: Priscilla Blum

 

For this week’s fitness class, I decided to try one that a girl in my dorm has been raving about: Body Blast. This circuit workout is supposed to work virtually every muscle your body has (or will have, after taking the class). I anticipated that this class would be rigorous simply because of the intensity of the name, but I did not foresee the defeat I would feel when it was done.

 

 

From what I’d heard, I expected the class to be aerobics on steroids: the music would be high tempo and everyone would be synchronized like hyperactive robots. Instead of being only upbeat and peppy, it turned out to be like some sort of CrossFit hell.

 

Body Blast was certainly not boring. I have a low attention span, so doing the same few motions for an hour would probably put me to sleep. I loved that the class combines cardio and strength circuits in short intervals, with each circuit working  a different part of the body. The class began with a cardio warm-up (essentially Zumba) and a strength workout warm-up.

 

 

After the warm-up came the circuits. The first circuit consisted of burpees, tricep curls, jump lunges, and shoulder pressing. Each interval was 45 seconds, with the beginning signalled by  the ‘ding’ you hear when your food is ready. There are only three intervals of each set per circuit, so getting the motivation to follow through and finish was not difficult.

 

The most insane part of the class was the circuit that included a plank walk. It was basically a race across the room where everyone in the class maintained a plank position. There were little purple Frisbee disks to help your toes slide along but honestly, they did not give much relief.

 

 

I woke up the next day feeling close to paralyzed. Every time I attempted to walk, my muscles would cry from the pain brought from this class. In short: I recommend Body Blast to anyone who wants to be in shape and can handle large amounts of excruciating pain (no pain no gain, am I right?) But seriously, even though it’s hardcore, it is an incredible workout. I plan on going more often so I get into shape–and pray I won’t feel as dead the day after.