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)