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freestyle?

Last post 10-23-2009, 9:22 AM by salawson. 47 replies.
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  •  10-01-2009, 9:36 PM 67634

    freestyle?

    i've been browsing these forums recently and i have come across the phrase freestyle alot. what is freestyle exactly? i can only guess its another variation of group fitness programs but im not entirely sure :S

    i have googled and bing'd but i cant find any definitive answers.

  •  10-02-2009, 1:07 AM 67642 in reply to 67634

    Re: freestyle?

    In a freestyle class (step, cardio, spinning, pilates, yoga etc.) instructor "makes up" the choreo "on the go", therefore almost every freestyle class is different. So in short: freestlye istructors often change music+choreo as they are not bind to follow a pre-choreographed class structure.
  •  10-02-2009, 3:58 AM 67656 in reply to 67642

    Re: freestyle?

    thank-you for clearing that up for me :). i dont think i've ever been to any gym in australia that has freestyle classes its just always the les mills programs
  •  10-07-2009, 4:50 AM 67967 in reply to 67656

    Re: freestyle?

    Wish I could be in Australia (again). Here in Spain things are different. Though LM programs are increasing assistance in more and more gyms (thanks god), people in general are still fond of freestyle dancy classes: ie. asymetrical aerobic & step (which I hate, confuses yr mind and doesn´t train body equally) and fond of changes every week or even every day (that´s stress for the mind and doesn´t follow training principles for the body(progresion, suitable for different population, options).

    KIA KAHA to all and specially to GFM and gym owners in Spain who trust and put their confidence in LM increasin their progams each year.

    KIA KAHA to O2 Alicante Spain.

  •  10-07-2009, 5:27 AM 67974 in reply to 67967

    Re: freestyle?

    Don't throw all "free style" classes under the bus.  When I choreo a class - whether it is spinning, step or kickboxing,  I am very careful to work both sides evenly & work all muscle groups and ranges of motion.  I love LM prechoreo classes, but LM as well as "freestyle" really depend on the instructor.  I have seen freestyle instructors walk in & wing it & it sucks - I have also seen LM instructors who think "all releases are basically the same - I don't need to waste time learning the choreo" .  So back to the basics - "freestyle" can just mean "not pre-choreographed" not necessarily "not-planned".  IMO former freestyle instructors often make the best LM instructors because they understand BPM, 32 count combos, how to break down music, how to find the beat & the top of the phrase etc on their own without the help of the choreo. 
  •  10-07-2009, 6:02 AM 67979 in reply to 67974

    Re: freestyle?

    I do a couple of freestyle classes per week in addition to Les Mills, and I really enjoy them.  It's a different format that Les Mills - we tend to build on one aerobics routine throughout the class, broken up with a few sprints, and finishing with conditioning and stretching.  It's also good for  your concentration levels - you're not just doing tracks that you already know off by heart.
  •  10-07-2009, 6:15 AM 67980 in reply to 67634

    Re: freestyle?

    I remember doing freestyle hi/lo and step classes with Lisa Osborne when she lived in Melbourne;  we were a hard core group of participants.  Often nowadays I will have a giggle in an Attack class when a certain move pops up, one from her freestyle days - just with a different name.  Proud to say saw her win a couple of a World Aerobic Championships, you have no idea how much effort/training she put into those winning routines (both with Chris and Dean and solo). Funny to run into her at Les Mills Akl participating in a Bodystep class together - both thinking - don't I know you?? So funny......... after class went up to each other with the "Don't I know you..............." conversation.  Glad she she has continued with her passion (and become a mum).
  •  10-07-2009, 6:21 AM 67981 in reply to 67980

    Re: freestyle?

    see - it goes back to "the best LM instructors have a freestyle background" - & Lisa is the best!

     

  •  10-07-2009, 9:39 AM 67991 in reply to 67981

    Re: freestyle?

    Well I think I didn´t explain myself well or sounded too radikal in my post. No, nothing to do with “Radikal Fitness”.

     

    I agree with u all 3:

    salawson : I too taught Freestyle aerobics since 1998, my first instructor course, and taught freestyle till I met LM in 2007. When I learnt arobic and how to create choreo blocks, of couse studied music. BPM and how to adjust to 32 count blocks, left and right (I liked to do it symetrical since then). There were also several insertion methods to create them, several of which I liked more than others (all this is basic stuff I guess everybody here knows). But then in 2000something some of those insertion methods I didn´t like too much became trendy, choreos too complicated (somebody years ago said people were getting away from aerobic & step classes due to its complexity, and going into fitness, circuit, hi intensity but easy choreo classes). This is what I agree with and still teach out of LM classes.

     

    enge_chic: your Freestyle classes sound great, you make it up but seem to have LM phylosophy in mind, Only it´s not pre-choreo

     

    And then it´s me again:I not only teach some  & follow nearly all LM programs- guess the one I dont try- Jam, but also received instruction courses and practice more “functional training” (BOSU, Fitball, medicine ball, body weight exercises you can do in the park, at home, hotel or wherever and …most we  do with body weight are in LM programs- see the new athletic move in body step- already did it in my yard without step and junping up instead of sthopping in front of the step . Only  10 and yr heart rate bursts. Its stiil is Hi intensity training you can mix up wih LM moves (running, skating, etc)

    mymy : of course Lisa is Lisa and Freestyle surely was as great as today. She´s the BA  choreographe , Isn´t she ¿so she  cnn mix the  best moves from her past Freestyle moves. And know what?  found in BA some of the moves I did in my 1998 aerobix Freestyle exam (made up)- knee ceossover & turn, grapevine square (see all the squares done in BA).

    It all of course depends on the instructor and the instruction method used when freestyling

  •  10-08-2009, 4:24 AM 68063 in reply to 67981

    Re: freestyle?

    yeah, the best instructors at my gyms do have a freestyle background, they just seem to be able to 'own' the chorey better.  I remember doing freestyle instructor training and having all the drills drummed into my head, 32 count blocks, phrasing, getting back on phrase mid-phase if you made a mistake,  changing leading leg naturally, and most importantly naming the moves to help participants remember and the holy grail of teaching PRE-CUEING.  It's the instructors job to tell their peeps what to do and when to do it and how to do it - not leave them guessing or 'test' their memory ALL the time.  I realize its easy to muck up chorey/forget but its how you are able to cover/deal with it and its just my humble belief (and feel free to disagree) that most ex-freestylers know how to do this better.
  •  10-08-2009, 6:13 AM 68071 in reply to 68063

    Re: freestyle?

    Mymy..I agree..and that takes nothing away from the the people who have come through the LM programmes by any way shape or form.

    But(there's the but)..there is a bonus of having a freestyle background..music mapping, and understanding have their place..

     

  •  10-09-2009, 7:21 AM 68165 in reply to 68071

    Re: freestyle?

    Freestyle = Just travel no chore, you present the options (Level 1 - 3) and just move.

    The great thing is that you can use the same music and next time you use it what you have taught previous is so very different from what you presented now :)


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  •  10-09-2009, 6:58 PM 68207 in reply to 68165

    Re: freestyle?

    Am I the only one having difficulty deciphering Rods' post??

     

  •  10-10-2009, 1:33 AM 68220 in reply to 68207

    Re: freestyle?

    fitgirl1:

    Am I the only one having difficulty deciphering Rods' post??

    No, you're not. I've read that four times now and I don't get it, to be honest.
  •  10-10-2009, 5:53 AM 68233 in reply to 68220

    Re: freestyle?

    Easy freestyle is no choreography you simply put on your music and then travel (move) you give them the options (1), (2) and (3) incorporating the base moves and then adding new layers as you go.

    e..g. Slow walk/slight jog on the spot and increase the variables from there. You simply read the class and then option as you go along.

    The other variable is choosing a tape/cd, bpm's mhr and intensity levels.

    That is what I was taught!


    Coming soon a new concept no one has ever done before and it has been in the planning for the past 4 years.

    Check out the Latest 1/4 Releases at: Tracklist Central!

    Check my profile the truth is out there - X-Files :)

    Check out my Training Fitness and Exercise and Higher - University Vocational and Educational Qualifications Here!



    From love and the gift of eternal joy comes peace and love!

    Cheers :)
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