It was a beautiful and warm sunny morning.
Outside China Square Central, the participants of the Great Eastern Women’s Run and the #RunToLiveGreat programme were all milling around.
The Bodycombat session is in full swing. (Image credit: GEWR).
A Bodycombat session by True Fitness
One of the instructors, showing participants what to do. (Image Credit: GEWR).
But they weren’t here to run. Rather, they were present to take part in a high-intensity bodycombat session, instructed by True Fitness, the official fitness partner of the Great Eastern Women’s Run.
Bodycombat is a high-energy martial arts based workout that is set to very catchy and upbeat music. It takes moves from a variety of martial arts – including Karate, Taekwondo, Boxing, Muay Thai, Capoeira and Kung Fu. All of the moves are combined together with the beat of music chosen by the instructor.
Boxing brings the jabs, hooks, upper cuts and aerobic moves. Karate and Taekwondo provide precise kicks. The elbow and knee strikes come from Kickboxing and Muay Thai. Capoeira is a Brazilian form of martial arts that is elegant and smooth, but at the same time, it toughens the legs and helps to condition the muscles.
Yes, this is what you’re supposed to do. (Image Credit: GEWR).
High tempo and very upbeat session
Throughout the one-hour long session, we were continuously kicking and punching into the air non-stop.
The tempo during the session was very high and energetic and the music was extremely catchy. At first, I admit that I found myself having a bit of trouble following what was the instructors were doing. But after a while, I soon managed to catch up and was really enjoying the lesson and coping with the flow of things. I felt that the class had ended all too quickly.
Good and fun workout under the sun
Other participants definitely felt the same way as me. Said 36-year-old teacher, Kimmy Tan, who is a regular at bodycombat classes, “It was definitely a great workout under the sun. The session was fun and the instructors were very good. It’s a good way to work up a sweat.”
Enjoying the workout thoroughly. (Image credit: GEWR).
Added 23-year-old consultant, Jewel Chai, “I found the workout very interactive and I think everyone was very engaged. The instructors were also full of energy.”
Breathless during the workout
Jewel, who usually takes part in pilates and zumba classes, was used to the high-intensity exercises and she didn’t find the moves difficult to follow.
“But I was breathless at some point, because there were little breaks in between. So I had to remember to keep on breathing throughout the workout, because I really found myself so engrossed in it,” she added.
The movements were challenging to follow
For 26-year-old teacher, May Ann Seah, a first-timer at bodycombat, though, the movements were quite challenging and hard to follow at times.
“But I think that’s because I was standing at the back, so I could not catch up. I ended up trying to follow the person in front of me,” she added.
Cooling down with a refreshing drink after the tiring session. (Image credit: GEWR).
Fun and rewarding workout for the runners
But despite this challenge, May had a fun and rewarding workout and she felt that being able to do share this with so many other ladies, was definitely great.
Added 27-year-old teacher Claire Gu, “I would do this again if there is a chance. Why not? It is quite a fun type of workout.”
A great form of cross training for runners
Doing bodycombat is not only a fun and healthy activity to engage in. At the same time, it is also a great form of cross training for runners.
Explained Joeson Yeo, a programme coordinator at True Fitness, who was one of the instructors conducting the session, “Bodycombat is a full-body workout that helps with both toning and cardiovascular.”
He added, “The cardio helps to train the stamina that’s necessary for running. So by doing bodycombat regularly, about two times a week, you will build the stamina you need to run. Toning the muscles helps to create strength for endurance running too.”
Registrations for GEWR closes on 30 September. So if you haven’t signed up yet, do hurry.
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