Tuesday, January 31, 2012

the fitness class experiment: SH'BAM

I stayed for several weeks at my parents house over the Christmas break. One day, my mom, a faithful my less serious life follower, suggested that we try a new class at her gym that many folks may not have heard of for my fitness class experiment, SH'BAM. "Sh'what?" I said. "Exactly." She replied.


I was skeptical to attend another 'dancy' class after Hip Hop HUSTLE. But, for the sake of the experiment and my efforts in encouraging my mom's fitness journey, I said yes. Despite my hesitations, I went in to SH'BAM as regular ole Sara, and I left...well, my friends I left as a Superstar (see Figure 2).

Results. SH'BAM is a pre-choreographed Les Mills workout that pairs simple and fun popular dance moves with popular music. Unlike Hip Hop HUSTLE, each of the 12 tracks in SH'BAM is a completely different dance routine and workout. The class mixes high intensity tracks with lower intensity tracks for an interval style workout that aims to blast an estimated 500 calories per 45-minute class.


So, I'm not sure if what I am about to say discredits my "I am an athlete, I am not a dancer" statement, but I loved this class. After the first track or so I was 100% into it. I was waving my arms as high as I could, floating across the floor with the best of them, and possibly, just possibly adding in my own dance accents just because I could. I'm not sure what came over me, but I was a dancing fool and finished in a sweaty and ecstatic high. This, dear readers, was 45 minutes of workout bliss.


Because this is a Les Mills class (like Body Pump), their website is a great resource for information and details. The dance moves in this class were, for the most part, simple and basic and because the songs were a bit more 'popular' they were easier to follow than those in the hip hop class (I guess I'm just not up to speed on my hip hop music). As noted above, I loved this class and thought it was a moderately intense workout (intensity score = 4). I would most likely re-attend this class, but alas it isn't offered at my gym. Like Hip Hop HUSTLE, no special equipment, clothing, gear, or prior experience is really necessary.


In summary, I surprised myself and really loved SH'BAM, a dance inspired moderately intense cardio workout.

Sh'bam that.

(images 1, 2, 3)

14 comments:

  1. I've never heard about this kind of class before but it sounds pretty fun! Sadly, the gyms here in Germany dont offer many classes. But if I ever get the chance, I would love to try something like this. :)

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  2. You need to do a yoga class!

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    1. Ahh! Yes, I do...I have never done yoga so this will be a real challenge for me. But, it is on my list!

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  3. I love Sh'Bam! I did it when I attended the Les Mills Quarterly in Orlando FL. I really want to get certified and teach it! Im hoping our gym will pick it up. What do you think? Do you think it would work at our gym?

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    1. Yes! That would fantastic if you taught it at our gym. You would be such a fantastic teacher for this class. Do it!

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  4. I love Sh'Bam. People smile and laugh in Sh'Bam, they are happy--no grunts, groans, or growling faces! I have changed my work schedule so I can attend a morning class every week. We are simply dancing fools! No matter the age or gender (although it's almost always women), or our dancing skill! Footwork is simple, music is loud, people are happy--perfecto!

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    1. I agree with all of these things - definitely worth a schedule re-arrange!

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  5. That sounds so fun! I love dance-inspired fitness classes because they just make time fly by. I often like to do dance classes on their own but they aren't always offered in many places other than dance schools that aren't anywhere near me. I would love to try this class but will have to see if it's even offered in Canada or anywhere close by. Thanks for the tip though, and well done! Sounds like you're quite the booty shaker :).

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    1. haha well i don't know about booty shaker - but i had fun!

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  6. This sounds SO fun! I really love to dance....never count it as a workout, but I never miss a chance to shake my booty on the dance floor hahaha. glad you had fun! I bet your mom loved that you went with her too!

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  7. This is awesome.. I have never even heard of this style of working out! I would suck at it I am sure, but it would be great to try it out sometime

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  8. I love me so Les Mills so I would totally try it if we had it around.

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  9. Sh'Bam changed my life, seriously. I'm 50, never exercised, and it all started with one sweaty, silly, saucy class. I'm up to three classes a week, I've lost over ten kilos, and no need for Prozac anymore. I'm even dancing in the front row - AND it's given me confidence to branch out and try other group fitness classes. Oh, Sh'Bam - best fitness class evah!

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  10. Sh'bam is new at my Gym, but oh i so love it! Yes i could add some accent on the move just because i can..

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