Three Les Mills classes in one day sounded intense, and it was: Body Balance, RPM and Body Step gave me calm movement, brutal cardio, and a challenging step workout in one session.
I started with Body Balance on Les Mills+, then headed to the gym for RPM with Maria João Lopes, followed by Body Step with Igor Angélico and Rita Calaz. It was a mix of calm focus, powerful indoor cycling, step coordination, sweat, confusion, burpees, and that very specific feeling of finishing more than I thought I could handle.
This is my honest student experience of Body Balance, RPM and Body Step in one training day, including what each class felt like, what challenged me most, and why this session felt like such a strong start to the week.
Quick Verdict
Body Balance
- Intensity: 4
- Good for: mobility, flexibility, focus, calm movement, recovery, and preparing the body before stronger cardio classes
- My after class mood: calm, focused, and ready to move into the rest of the training day
RPM
- Intensity: 8
- Good for: indoor cycling, cardio endurance, leg strength, stamina, speed work, and anyone who enjoys intense cycling classes
- My after class mood: sweaty, pushed hard, surprised by the new RPM release, and very aware that my legs had worked properly
Body Step
- Intensity: 9
- Good for: cardio, step coordination, agility, leg power, burpees, rhythm, and mental focus after already being tired
- My after class mood: challenged, amused, proud, and slightly amazed that I managed the class after RPM
Class Snapshot
Body Balance
- Class: Body Balance
- Format: Les Mills+ class
- Equipment: mat recommended
- Main focus: mobility, flexibility, breath, control, and calm preparation
- My focus today: starting the training day with intention and completing my Les Mills Passport
RPM
- Class: RPM
- Instructor: Maria João Lopes
- Format: indoor cycling group fitness class
- Equipment: indoor bike
- Main focus: cardio, legs, speed, endurance, resistance, and mental strength
- My focus today: staying with the new release, managing the intensity from track 3 onwards, and surviving track 6
- Best surprise: I absolutely loved track 4 and enjoyed the mixed terrain section more than expected
Body Step
- Class: Body Step
- Instructors: Igor Angélico and Rita Calaz
- Format: step-based cardio group fitness class
- Equipment: step platform
- Main focus: cardio, coordination, agility, legs, core, burpees, and step control
- My focus today: pushing through after RPM, following the cues, managing the step, and staying committed even when I got confused
- Best surprise: enjoying the burpees track and seeing how much I have changed in relation to exercises I would never have wanted to attempt before
My Body Balance, RPM and Body Step Class Experience
Today I had to write this post: I COMPLETED my LES MILLS PASSPORT.
I started my training with Body Balance on Les Mills+.
Then I headed to the gym and began with RPM. I was welcomed by the wonderful warmth of Maria João Lopes.
Today, for the first time, I did the new RPM 103. Oh my goodness, this RPM is PO-WERFUL!
The warm-up and track 2 were manageable. But track 3! After that one I was ready to call it a day. The INTENSITY!
But the surprises did not stop there. I absolutely LOVED track 4. What BEAUTIFUL music! And, unlike how I used to feel, I really enjoyed the mixed terrain section!
During track 6, Maria looks at me and says: “Don’t look at me like that! You love speed!” People, I am not joking… 3 STRAIGHT minutes of speed! Simply WOW.
Maria was INCREDIBLE. She pushed us so hard! And without a doubt, we needed every bit of it! What a FANTASTIC RPM!
Great training, great energy, dancing, and so much, SO much sweat… but no tears. Only smiles with this instructor!
I moved on to Body Step, with Igor Angélico and Rita Calaz. What an incredible duo!
I was still dazed from RPM. I got completely turned around during the warm-up, and not just there either… These two classes back to back… GOOD LORD! But I pushed through with conviction.
During the obliques track I really struggled with the step refusing to stay in place. Even with Rita’s cues, my step had a mind of its own… it was a battle, people…
I still do not know the track order by heart. But what I do know, and know WELL, is the burpees track! The moment it started, I got myself ready for the best part of the class. The state I am in by the time I finish round one… and then it is straight back in for round two. And with GREAT enthusiasm! This is an exercise that, in the past, I would NEVER have even agreed to attempt, let alone enjoy. Enjoy? No, LOVE! Always surprising myself…
The Rita and Igor duo was outstanding! The ability these people have to talk, crack jokes, and execute the exercises flawlessly deserves a standing ovation. Simply WOW!
It was my first time seeing Igor teach this class and I have to say this man is phenomenal, not only for the great workout, but because he manages to work in BRILLIANT little dance moments where you least expect them! BRILLIANT!
This week is off to a very strong start!
Instructor Notes
Maria João Lopes made RPM feel powerful, intense, and impossible to underestimate. The class built quickly, and from track 3 onwards it became clear that this was not going to be an easy ride. Her energy, warmth, and direct coaching helped carry the room through the hardest parts, especially during track 6.
Igor Angélico and Rita Calaz made Body Step feel demanding, funny, sharp, and full of personality. Their ability to coach, joke, cue, move, and keep the class alive made the session feel bigger than just another step workout. Even when I was tired from RPM and struggling with the step, their energy kept the class moving.
Together, these classes gave me a full group fitness day: Body Balance for focus, RPM for raw cardio power, and Body Step for coordination, confidence, and that final push.
How I Felt After Class
Right after: Tired, sweaty, and proud. Body Balance gave me a calm start, RPM pushed my legs hard, and Body Step asked for coordination when my body was already feeling the effort.
Later that day: I felt like this was one of those training days that marks progress. Not because everything was perfect, but because I kept going through three very different class experiences.
Next day: My legs remembered RPM, and my whole body remembered Body Step. The session felt intense, but in a satisfying way, because each class challenged me differently.
