I did another Les Mills GRIT Cardio class with André Godinho, and this session confirmed what I already knew: this class is intense, fast, and absolutely not the kind of workout you forget five minutes later. If you’ve been wondering what GRIT Cardio really feels like, how hard it is in real life, and whether it’s worth trying from a student’s perspective, here’s my honest experience.
Quick Verdict
- Intensity (1 to 10): 10
- Good for: people who want a short but brutal cardio challenge, mental toughness, calorie burn, athletic conditioning, and that “I survived something serious” feeling after class
- My after class mood: destroyed, proud, sweaty, and weirdly energised at the same time
Class Snapshot
- Duration: around 30 minutes
- Format: high intensity interval training with explosive cardio work, fast transitions, short recoveries, and very little time to overthink anything
- Equipment: usually bodyweight based, plus water bottle and towel highly recommended
- Instructor style: André brings the kind of energy that makes intense classes feel exciting instead of intimidating. He keeps the pace high, the atmosphere strong, and somehow makes you feel pushed without feeling lost
- My focus today: keep moving, survive the hardest intervals, and not panic when the intensity kicked in
- Injury notes: no injuries, just serious fatigue, heavy breathing, and that full body “what just happened?” feeling after class
How I Survived Another Les Mills GRIT Cardio Session with André Godinho
I did GRIT Cardio today. This is Les Mills’ most intense class for me. No, wait… there’s Sprint… no, wait, there’s Power Jump… no, wait, there’s Body Attack, Combat, Step… no, wait… you get the point… 
Today, I went back to where my GRIT journey began… with André Godinho 
! More than a year ago, I asked him if it would be a good idea to try it because it seemed so intense. I didn’t think I could do it. I was literally scared, but SO curious… 
He told me I could give it a try and pace myself. With time, it would become easier. And he was SO right. I tried GRIT Strength and Athletic, and I liked them.
But then came the day to try GRIT CARDIO. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I was REALLY scared 
. And it was SO INTENSE! André prepared a super fun class with games. I had a great time, lost my fear, and actually enjoyed the workout. But by the end—OMG—I was so overwhelmed that I forgot my water bottle in the studio. I didn’t even know what had happened to me , but I was SO proud of myself.
Fast forward to today, and it was so fun again! André was super cheerful and prepared another awesome class for us! Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like these intense class instructors always have a wider smile when they see us arrive. It’s like they know they’ll have fun… watching us… suffer…
We jumped, we burped… Hahahaha! I mean, we did burpees (relax, people, it was a joke ), mountain climbers (OMG those 
), skaters, pushups, and so many more… torturous exercises .
And what about the GRIT lady (that awesome voice)? The first time I went to this class, I was such a good student that I would only stop when she reached number ONE. But then, I immediately started copying others who stopped as soon as she began the countdown. Sometimes, following the crowd is the way to go .
I usually find core exercises tough, but in GRIT, they’re a breeze. They always mean the suffering is almost over .
What an awesome class: full house, André was INCREDIBLE 
, and I can only say—I feared it, I faced it, and I conquered it! GRIT CARDIO never gets easier, but I get better! On to the next!
Instructor Notes
Instructor credit: André Godinho. He’s the instructor featured in this class experience.
One of the reasons this class works so well for me is André’s coaching style. GRIT Cardio is already a demanding format, so the instructor makes a huge difference. André has that balance of intensity and encouragement that helps the class feel tough, but still doable. He brings strong energy, keeps people engaged, and creates the kind of environment where you want to try, even when you’re clearly suffering.
He also has the kind of presence that suits this format. In a class like GRIT, the room needs focus, momentum, and someone who can carry the energy from start to finish. That came through clearly in this session.
How I Felt After Class
Right after: completely breathless, drenched in sweat, and very proud of myself. It was one of those classes where I felt like I had given everything I had.
Later that day: tired, but in a satisfying way. My body felt worked, my energy was a bit all over the place, and I kept replaying parts of the class in my head because of how intense it felt.
Next day: that deep post-workout fatigue was definitely there. Not injured, just very aware that GRIT Cardio had done its job.
My Gym Essentials
Everything I actually use and love during my workouts. Tested, approved, and perfect for busy women who want efficient results.
- Water Bottle: Stay hydrated without wasting time refilling.
- Training Shoes: Stable, comfortable, and perfect for cardio and step workouts.
- Small Gym Bag: Compact but spacious enough for everything I need for my sessions.
- Shockproof Phone Case: Keeps my phone safe during intense workouts, because I drop it more often than I admit
- Smart Fitness Watch: Tracks heart rate, calories burned, and workout intensity.
Want to read more about my Les Mills experiences?
Check out all my Les Mills class reviews.
