It seems like only yesterday that the 47th edition came out and hit gyms around the world. Now number 48 is already eager to get started, and this time it’s all about Taekwondo. So how does this release fare against the previous one? And is it the perfect recipe for a perfect beach body? BodyCombat 48 review is here to answer all those questions for you and more.
1. In my Head/Airplanes (Kris McTwain Remix Edit) – Henry Blank/Groove Chasers
The warm up starts with easy combos and random moves. There are definitely no surprises here, as everything is easy and predictable. The song is amazing and continues the recent tradition of modern warm-up songs.
The warm-up of the legs begins in a very unusual way with a long period of stretching, after which it returns to the usual with knees, followed by side kicks and ending with roundhouse kicks. ‘Airplanes’ is a great song, modern again, that fits perfectly with the movements. Overall, this warmup is clean and modern; I like.
2. Smooth Criminal – Badlands Inc.
Michael Jackson in the house! Song 2 starts with a little combo but quickly turns into something more complex. From here, the launch really starts to get technical and heavy. The song is great and the moves are fantastic. Especially the shuffle-roundhouse-backfist-shuffle-knee-kick combo. However, it is very difficult and will definitely challenge newcomers.
3. Let’s Dance – Subz Project
The beginning is the complete opposite of what BodyCombat is, but it’s a welcome change from the usual. When the rhythms are activated, so are the movements. Simple double strikes and crossovers are joined by advanced stepping moves that come directly from this version’s Taekwondo theme. Unlike the previous release, this time I am looking forward to songs 2 and 3.
4. Come In Hard (I Don’t Like Rock ‘N’ Roll) – Hardknox
This song reminds me of BodyCombat 46 song 6. It’s about legs and technique. The lunge-kick-lunge-kick motion really challenges balance. The end of each set is accompanied by many continuous partners, again very difficult. The song isn’t particularly my cup of tea, but it suits the mood very well.
5. If I Were You – Breeze & Ritmen
Finally, the legs rest as we continue with the second power workout. The techno song is almost amazing, as are the moves. Although there is an unusual amount of tops and leg crossings in his power training.
6. Drummer Boy (MoDrums Remix) – Alesha Dixon
This song is amazing and has to be one of the coolest intros to a BodyCombat class. Start off slow with balance making donuts as we try 8(!) constant partners. I like to think of this choreography as a 360 leg workout. The front, back and side kicks are shuffled until the end. This is a classic in my book.
7. The Last Flight – Bullet for my Valentine
This is like the sequel to song 7 in the previous BodyCombat. It’s a fast pop/rock song with a lot of nudges. I like this song a little more than the previous one, so that’s another plus for me.
8. Everywhere (Breeze & UFO Remix) – Master Blaster
The ultimate power workout has arrived. I always love 8 songs which are popular pop/rock songs that have gone techno. This is the case again in BodyCombat 48, although there have definitely been better ones in the past. The main combo is now left – right – left (and vice versa). The singles near the end are long enough to make you feel tired and satisfied.
9. The Time (Dirty Bit) – Red Beans and Rice
This song consists of 3 series, the last one being push-ups. The song is a hit or miss, but I personally like it because I’m a Dirty Dancing fan. They’ve really focused on toning the lower abs, as seen in the slow leg extensions that make up most of the song. It is very difficult, but perhaps more accessible than the previous solution. The ending is fantastic, as Dan says: “Wait for Dirty Bit”.
10. The Silence (New Single Mix) – Alexandra Burke
The cooldown inherits two movements from Yoga; the dove and the dog upside down. It ends with a truly impressive and peaceful Taekwondo move. The song is fairly unknown and gets the job done.
BodyCombat 48 is an amazing release and I love it. The songs are so much better than 47’s, and the moves have never been this technical (at least for the last 5 releases). However, this may be exactly what drags it down, as it’s not the most newcomer-friendly release. Those potential pit drops will have to be sorted out/analyzed later, though, because from what I can see, this release is epic.
bodycombat 48 review