Update: Tickets are A$64.95 for Les Mills Instructors and A$84.95 for non-Les Mills Instructors. Secure your spot: www.lesmills.com.au/live/melbourne.
Les Mills Instructors and class devotees across Australia and Southeast Asia will want to mark their calendar because LES MILLS LIVE – the ultimate international fitness festival – is heading to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on the 13th and 14th of August. The event promises incredible workouts with epic music, lights, energy and excitement. It’s also your chance to meet and work out with the world’s most inspiring Program Directors, Presenters and Instructors.
After two years of relentless lockdowns across Australia and Southeast Asia, LES MILLS LIVE Melbourne is confirmation the live revival has well and truly emerged. The Les Mills 2021 Global Fitness Report revealed that class attendances reached 120 per cent of pre-COVID levels across worldwide markets after restrictions lifted. This strong recovery by gyms across the globe has been reinforced by the trend of Instructors and members alike flocking back to group fitness as they celebrate the return to in-person exercise; which is why, LES MILLS LIVE Melbourne is expected to sell out.
Over two days, a thousand attendees will experience the brand new Q3 Releases across most Les Mills programs. This unforgettable event gives Instructors and LES MILLS+ subscribers the chance to enjoy the true essence of Les Mills programs, which lies in the unrivalled magic of a live experience. Plus, LES MILLS LIVE Melbourne is also a rare opportunity for attendees to meet some of their favourite Presenters and Program Directors from whom they’ve been working out with on-screen, including:
Dan Cohen (Program Director for BODYCOMBAT®)
Khiran Huston (Trainer/Presenter for LES MILLS SPRINT®, LES MILLS TONE®, THE TRIP®, RPM®, LES MILLS GRIT® and BODYPUMP®)
Vili Fifita (Les Mills Ambassador and Presenter for BODYCOMBAT and BODYPUMP)
Reagan Kang (Les Mills Ambassador, Trainer, Presenter for BODYCOMBAT, BODYPUMP and LES MILLS GRIT)
Bas Hollander (Education Director at Les Mills International, and Trainer for the Les Mills GRIT Series, LES MILLS SPRINT®, LES MILLS THE TRIP® and LES MILLS TONE®)
Dee Rowell (Les Mills Ambassador, Trainer and Presenter for RPM®, LES MILLS SPRINT, BODYSTEP® and LES MILLS TONE)
Bevan James Eyles (BODYATTACK® Presenter).
So, if you’re ready to enjoy an unforgettable fitness experience that is much like a rock concert experience mixed with your favourite high energy workouts and Presenters, and shared with a thousand friends and fans, then mark your diary because tickets go on sale in June.
LES MILLS LIVE Melbourne is set to be the group fitness event of the year, so to ensure you never miss a beat in the lead up to when registrations open, visit www.lesmills.com.au/live/melbourne and subscribe to receive priority notifications.
LES MILLS+ bridges the gap between digital and live workouts to provide the ultimate fitness experience
Launched on October 4th, the LES MILLS+ app is designed to meet modern demands for both convenient digital workouts and thrilling live experiences and features digital Les Mills workouts that users can also seek out in 21,000 gyms globally.
Fitness fans are flooding back to gyms for the added motivation and social connection of live fitness experiences, but the COVID-driven boom in digital fitness looks set to continue, with new research* showing the majority of exercisers now favor a 60:40 split between gym and home workouts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWcs4cyGyb8
LES MILLS+ replaces LES MILLS On Demand (LMOD), which saw rapid growth during the digital fitness boom, with a 900% increase in downloads in 2020 alone! The upgraded app meets growing demand and shifting consumer preferences and comes with a range of enhancements. In addition to 1,000+ world-leading workouts including BODYPUMP™, BODYCOMBAT™, and BODYBALANCE™, LES MILLS+ now features:
Class-finding functionality that connects users to live workouts in their local area
Personalised workout dashboards and tracking technology
Tailored user journeys including starter guides, challenges, and workout plans
Wellness content covering nutrition, stretching, recovery, mindfulness, and breathwork
What is omnichannel?
“We’re entering the age of omnichannel fitness, with research showing the majority of consumers worldwide want a 60/40 split between in-studio and digital workouts,” says Les Mills CEO Clive Ormerod.
“With consumers keen to blend live and digital experiences in pursuit of better overall wellbeing, we’ve created LES MILLS+ to put world-class gym workouts in the palm of your hand and help you augment this with incredible live experiences.”
“LES MILLS+ transports you into the middle of the greatest group workouts on the planet – from anywhere. Our fitness masterclasses are powered by science to maximize results, crafted to incredible music and presented by some of the world’s leading instructors, to motivate you and transform your body, mind, and life.”
Historic, authentic, and scientifically proven
A world leader in group workouts, Les Mills combines blockbuster production to its digital content, an unparalleled network of 21,000 gym partners and 140,000 certified Instructors across 110 countries.
Created with elite teams of physiology experts, fitness trainers, and musicians, each Les Mills workout is scientifically designed to maximize results and inspirationally crafted by the world’s leading choreographers to incredible music. The classes are cinematically filmed by award-winning production crews and presented by a huge selection of the world’s best instructors.
Of the new launch, Clive Ormerod goes on to explain: “We deliver group fitness classes to over six million people per week globally. What started as a small family-run local gym in Auckland, New Zealand has evolved into a (still family-run) global business in 110 countries, working with 21,000 of the world’s leading gyms and an army of 140,000 Instructors.
“Our mission is to create a fitter planet and we hope the launch of LES MILLS+ can break down barriers, helping more people to start their fitness journey and reap the rewards of an active lifestyle.”
Accessible and affordable
LES MILLS+ is presented by the world’s best instructors and is supported by expert training guides. There are 13 different programs to choose from for all fitness levels, from high intensity to low intensity, equipment or no equipment – there is something for everyone on LES MILLS+. Classes range from 15-minute to full-hour sessions.
LES MILLS+ is available as a mobile app for phones and tablets, and can be streamed from any Internet browser and via popular TV platforms including Android TV, Amazon Fire TV™, Chromecast™, Apple TV®, Roku, and Xbox.
Existing LES MILLS On Demand users can access both LMOD and LES MILLS+, app and website platforms, with their existing log-in details.
Les Mills is the global leader in group fitness and creator of 20 programs available in leading fitness facilities around the world. Les Mills programs include the world’s first group exercise resistance training workout BODYPUMP™, BODYCOMBAT™ (martial arts), RPM™ (indoor cycling), BODYBALANCE™ (yoga), LES MILLS GRIT™ (30-minute high-intensity interval training) and the revolutionary immersive cycle experience, THE TRIP™. Each workout is refreshed and updated with new choreography and music every three months.
The company was founded by Les Mills – a four-time Olympian and head coach of New Zealand’s track and field team – who opened his first gym in 1968 with the aim of taking elite sports training to the masses. Today, Les Mills workouts are delivered by 140,000 certified instructors in 21,000 clubs across 100 countries and are available as live, livestream, virtual and immersive classes, as well as via the LES MILLS™ On Demand streaming platform.
Garmin is putting to test the new Forerunner lineup that brings integrated music capabilities, full-color mapping, and advanced training, safety and tracking features1 to its popular GPS running smartwatches. Designed with the runner in mind, the new Forerunners – Forerunner 45 , Forerunner 245 , Forerunner 245 Music and Forerunner 945 – will not only track a run, but will monitor stats, crunch the numbers and get to know all about an athlete’s performance, training history, goals and more. The new Forerunner series is designed to meet the needs of all runners, no matter how far or fast they run.
“We are excited to refresh our Forerunner line and bring sought-after advancements to some of our most popular GPS running smartwatches,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. “Each new Forerunner takes what its predecessor has done very well, and enhances it with even more features, making it easier for you to simply focus on your workout while your watch does the thinking.”
Engineered for runners, by runners, each new Forerunner features lightweight materials and an intuitive 5-button design that is easy to operate with or without gloves, and in any weather condition. The watches include an always-on, sunlight-readable display with GPS, all-day activity tracking2, smart notifications, wrist-based heart rate, and new safety and tracking features1 that allow users to share their real-time location with chosen contacts in case they need help. Whether training for a 5K or something far longer, the new Forerunner line is compatible with Garmin Coach, free training plans that adapt based on a runner’s goals and performance. In addition to 5K plans, Garmin users can now train for a 10K or half-marathon with the help of three running coaches – Jeff Galloway, Greg McMillan and Amy Parkerson-Mitchell – to guide and motivate them.
With features specific to each model, the new Forerunner smartwatches deliver key running metrics and insight to every kind of runner, whether they’re training for their first 5K or already have dozens of finisher’s medals decorating their walls. Each watch is built with purpose in both form and function to help athletes train smarter, and possibly harder.
The Garmin Forerunner 45
Forerunner 45
Designed for those who are training for their very first race or starting a new exercise plan, the easy-to-use Forerunner 45 series is the perfect companion for everyday use, monitoring heart rate at the wrist and featuring built-in GPS to keep track of pace, distance, intervals and more.
With a dozen activity profiles available, the Forerunner 45 series will track more than just a run – it will record efforts during cycling workout on the elliptical, while doing cardio, yoga and more. The Forerunner 45 series is designed to be worn 24/7, and will monitor daily steps, distance, calories burned and sleep. Featuring all-day stress monitoring and Body BatteryTM energy monitoring, users can focus on their wellness and better plan their day to optimise for activity and rest. The Forerunner 45 series features up to 7 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 13 hours in GPS mode.
Forerunner 245 Music
Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music
Building upon one of Garmin’s most popular GPS running smartwatches, the Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music include even more data and advanced features to help runners improve. The Forerunner 245 Music holds up to 500 songs and lets users sync playlists from select preloaded music streaming services3, like Spotify® and Deezer, or transfer music from a computer.
Offering personalized training and recovery insight, both the Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music include performance monitoring tools like VO2 max and training status with adjustments for heat, recovery time and aerobic and anaerobic training effects. With the addition of a Running Dynamics Pod or compatible heart rate strap, athletes can go even further with their running data, seeing all six running dynamics right on the watch. Even after a workout, the Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music feature additional tools to track a runner’s well-being, including a wrist-based Pulse Ox sensor4 that will help gauge how oxygen is being absorbed. The Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music feature up to 7 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, up to 24 hours in GPS mode and up to 6 hours in GPS mode with music.
The Forerunner 945
Forerunner 945
Made for the driven, the qualifiers, the elite, the Forerunner 945 is a premium running and triathlon smartwatch that holds up to 1,000 songs and lets users sync playlists from select preloaded streaming services3, including Spotify and Deezer, or transfer music from a computer. Whether hitting busy city streets or densely covered trains, full colour, onboard maps on the Forerunner 945 will help guide serious runners and multisport athletes so they never get lost on a run.
To help athletes become better, faster and more efficient come race day, the Forerunner 945 also includes key performance monitoring tools while adding training load focus, a new feature that will sort an athlete’s recent training history into different categories based on activity structure and intensity. They can also see all six running dynamics on their watch with the use of a Running Dynamics Pod or compatible heart rate strap. Additional built-in activity profiles, including skiing, hiking, golfing and more make it easy for users to change up their routine with ease. Intended to be worn all day, the Forerunner 945 will provide athletes with additional insights to their body’s performance, and with Pulse Ox4, they can see how well their body is absorbing oxygen. The Forerunner 945 features up to Battery life: up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode, 10 hours in GPS mode with music or up to 60 hours in UltraTrac mode.
The Forerunner 45, Forerunner 245, Forerunner 245 Music and Forerunner 945 are available now at a recommended retail price of RM 999, RM 1,450, RM 1,699 and RM 2,999 respectively from Garmin’s headquarters (AECO Technologies) 43, Jalan Jejaka 2, Taman Maluri, Cheras and these participating concept stores:
The new line of Forerunner smartwatches is the latest solution from the ever-expanding Garmin fitness segment, which focuses on developing technologies to enhance and promote healthy and active lifestyles. Whether running, cycling, swimming or simply looking to stay active throughout the day, Garmin fitness devices can help athletes of all levels reach their health and fitness goals.
For decades, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary markets, including automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor recreation. For more information, visit www.garmin.com.my, or follow us at www.facebook.com/GarminMalaysia, www.instagram.com/garminmalaysia / or youtube.com/GarminSingaporeMalaysia.
3 Requires premium subscription with a third-party music provider
4 This is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition; see Garmin.com/ataccuracy. Pulse Ox is not available in all countries.
There’s a refreshed app out there, and it’s Google Fit’s brand new app that’s focused on beats and moves. We’ve read through the article by Google Fit’s VP of Product Stacey Burr and happy to share our review on this app. We speak to AsiaFitnessToday.com co-founder, Jasmine Low on this.
App Functionality
Google Fit has just launched a 30-day challenge beginning on January 1, 2019 and you can sign up anytime. We ask Jasmine Low how often she uses the app, and how it’s worked for her:
Jasmine Low: I downloaded the app six months ago, and have been using it without even thinking about it! Once downloaded, you enter your personal settings, your weight, height, your goals – for example, you can set a goal of moving 45-minutes a day, then add in your activity like cycling for 35-minutes or hiking 90-minutes whenever that happens. The app will congratulate you as you achieve your goals. And I must admit, it’s quite a nice feeling, being congratulated and appreciated – even though you know it’s an app talking to you!
You’ll get Heart Points from activities logged on the Google Fit app. The app will automatically monitor your activities whether you’re walking, running, Zumba dancing or cycling making it so easy that you’ll just need to download the app and let it track your moves.
1 Heart Point Reward when you Move 1 minute
Google Fit tabulates Heart Points for any activity that gets your heart pumping. So they offer 1 point for each minute of moderate activity like fast-paced walking, 2 points for more intense activities like running or kickboxing. You’d need to achieve 150 Heart Points per week to meet the American Heart Association (AHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO)’s physical activity recommendations. And in doing so, you would have “reduced your risk of heart disease, improve sleep and increased overall mental well-being”.
Jasmine Low: It took awhile but in mid 2018, we stumbled upon the answer. Asia Fitness Today – the result of 5-years of research and development as well as event experience, was the vehicle for our bigger purpose: to get more people moving! It was as simple as that. So I coined the name #Move8fitness movement and the first #Move8 event kicked off in July 2018 with Zumba dancing and a 7KM walk along the route of monthly KL Car Free Morning organised by MultiGreen Events.
Get the family together!
Get your co-workers and colleagues
Bring out your class of lecturers & students
Corporate & government executives
Simply put, ANYONE can get moving and make it simple yet challenging to suit each person.
Everyone needs a buddy
What Google Fit has done to inspire more people to move in what they call a Digital Wellbeing exercise, is gather 36 influencers from nine countries around the globe who show how they earn Heart Points. Read about it here and follow the hashtag #GetFitWithGoogle on Instagram and YouTube.
Meanwhile here in Malaysia, we kick off 2019 with the #Move8 Walkathon on 3rd March 2019, in collaboration with International Women’s Day. 10% of funds raised will benefit the Home of Peace, a home for girls. Use promo code: move8, and enjoy 20% discount off your entry fee. Find a buddy, and come walk with us.
