Les Mills GRIT Strength and Core in Portugal was my back to back training combo, and they hit in completely different ways. First was LES MILLS GRIT Strength with Rita Calaz: heavy legs, full body burn, and that brutal feeling of being out of breath while your muscles still have work left to do. Then I went straight into Core with Igor Angélico, and it was 30 minutes of pure control, shaking planks, and the kind of glute and abs work that makes you question your life choices halfway through. 
This post is my real breakdown of both sessions, what the workout actually felt like, the moments that surprised me (including how fast the intensity ramps up), and who I think these classes are for if you want results and you like training with a clear structure. I’ll also share how I adapted when I wasn’t at my best, what equipment and loads I used, and why this combo is one of the most demanding but satisfying training days you can do.
Quick Verdict
GRIT Strength
- Intensity (1–10): 9
- Good for: full body strength, leg burn, conditioning, calorie burn, mental toughness, anyone who likes explosive work with weights and wants to feel stronger fast
- My after class mood: wrecked but proud, sweaty, shaky legs, that “I did something real today” feeling
Core
- Intensity (1–10): 7
- Good for: deep core strength, stability, posture support, glute activation, lower back protection, anyone who wants a challenge without jumping but still wants to feel the burn
- My after class mood: tight core, glutes on fire, strangely energised, like my whole body was switched on
Class Snapshot
GRIT Strength
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Format: high intensity strength intervals with weights, repeated work blocks, short recoveries, lots of legs and full body fatigue, plus classic GRIT moves like burpees, push ups and mountain climbers
- Equipment: barbell or dumbbells (depending on the setup), mat optional, towel and water bottle
- Instructor style: Rita Calaz is precise and organised, she demonstrates clearly, keeps the pace moving, and pushes you to stay in it even when you want to drop to your knees
- My focus today: recover fast between blocks, keep moving even if I had to scale, and stay committed to good form (especially on push ups)
- Injury notes: no injuries, just deep leg fatigue and that full body “spent” feeling after a hard strength session
Core
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Format: core stability and strength work in tracks, lots of plank variations, control based work, and a serious glute burner section that builds fast
- Equipment: mat, optional towel and water bottle
- Instructor style: Igor Angélico has that playful but ruthless energy, he makes it fun, then quietly turns the intensity up with smart track choices and very little rest
- My focus today: stay steady through the plank work, keep my core braced, and not lose control when the glutes started burning one side at a time
- Injury notes: no injuries, just core fatigue and glutes on fire, especially after the burner track.
Strength, Sweat & Core Power with Rita Calaz & Igor Angélico
Les Mills Grit Strength and Core in Portugal with Rita Calaz and Igor Angélico – A Challenging Experience!
It all began with me being late. I know! Shame on me! But wait—it gets worse.
I arrived late to GRIT STRENGTH with RITA CALAZ. On top of that, I ran across the studio to prepare my equipment, didn’t find what I needed, left the room, went to another one, grabbed the wrong size clips… only to realize I was dealing with a well-prepared instructor, who had left everything right at the studio entrance for us to use. 
My apologies to Rita, who was so kind in trying to alert me about the prepared equipment. 
Since I missed the warm-up, I went straight into the workout. I used 12.5 kg.
Rita demonstrated the exercises perfectly, making them look so easy. But yeah… they’re not! 
I managed to fall in love with a lot of tough exercises, even burpees! But mountain climbers? Gosh… it’s still hard to like them. Maybe one day!
One thing about Grit is that, out of nowhere, the instructors appear right in front of you. One minute, you’re struggling to do push-ups (with knee support), and the next, you hear Rita saying:
“Without the knees, Suzike… at least one push-up!”
But all the effort was worth it when, right after, she said: “Machine!” 
Normally, the last track is a nice finisher. But today? The core exercises Rita brought were insane! 
Brilliant class! Rita made us work hard while reminding us that tomorrow would be Saturday… so we should finish the week feeling proud! 
Next up: Core with Igor Angélico—a 30-minute challenge!
That plank track he brought was stunning. Hard, but stunning.
My favorite track (the fourth) was a real PAIN today! We worked our glutes one side at a time, and the burn was so intense that I had to hold it! 
Igor sure knows how to pick torturous exercises! 
Well, he told us to have fun and MAKE HIM HAVE FUN! I bet he did… watching our faces.
As usual, I loved the class! We had halos 
, and (I think) the plane 
—I absolutely LOVE them! 
Igor made sure our core was on fire today! That plank track was breathtaking, but the real challenge? The glute burner—pure torture, but so worth it!
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE TRAINING DAY!
Instructor Notes
Instructor credit: Rita Calaz (IG: rita_calaz) and Igor Angélico (IG: igorangelico). They’re the instructors featured in the clips.
Rita’s GRIT Strength coaching feels sharp and structured. She demonstrates clearly, keeps the transitions tight, and makes the whole room move as one, even when everyone’s legs are already cooked. What I like most is that she pushes commitment without turning it into chaos. You always know what’s coming next, and that makes it easier to go all in, scale when you need to, then jump back in fast.
Igor’s Core is a different kind of difficult. He brings that playful energy that makes you laugh for two seconds, then realise you’ve been holding a plank for far too long. His track choices feel smart and slightly evil in the best way, especially when he isolates one side at a time and the burn builds fast. He keeps the vibe light, but the work is serious, and you leave feeling switched on from the inside out.
If you enjoy this GRIT Strength style, you’ll probably like this one too: GRIT Strength with Cláudia Estrela: An Intense & Unforgettable Experience!
How I Felt After Class
- Right after: Completely spent and weirdly energised at the same time. GRIT Strength left my legs shaky and my lungs working overtime, and then Core finished the job in a quieter way, that deep burn that makes you feel every muscle you’re supposed to have. I walked out sweaty, proud, and slightly stunned I didn’t quit halfway.
- Later that day: That calm, clean feeling kicked in. My body felt lighter but also more “held together” from the core work, and my mood stayed high for hours. It’s the kind of training day that makes everything else feel easier afterwards.
- Next day: Legs definitely felt it, especially glutes and quads, plus that tight core soreness when you laugh or twist. Nothing dramatic, just that satisfying soreness that tells you the work landed.
For another session that hits the same “strong but destroyed” vibe, you might also like: How Sprint with Igor Angélico Pushed My Limits and Burned My Legs!
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.
- 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.
If you like these real life updates, you might also enjoy this cold morning walk recap in Lisbon: Cold Morning Walk at Estádio Universitário de Lisboa.
Instructor credit: Rita Calaz (IG: rita_calaz) and Igor Angélico (IG: igorangelico). They’re the instructors featured in the clips.
