Les Mills- Bodyvive 22 - Master Class -2011- | INSTANT |
Based on archived instructor notes and YouTube clips, the Master Class followed this structure:
| Track # | Track name / theme | Music genre / artist (approx.) | Focus | |---------|--------------------|--------------------------------|-------| | 1 | Get Ready to Vive | House / remix – “Finally” (CeCe Peniston style) | Warm-up, mobility, posture | | 2 | Low-Impact Burn | Pop dance – Cascada or similar | Cardio block 1 (step taps, knee lifts, side reaches) | | 3 | Band Strength | Indie rock – e.g., “Pumped Up Kicks” (Foster the People) | Resistance band rows, presses, bicep curls | | 4 | Balance & Core | Ambient / chillout – Enya or Moby style | Single-leg balances, core stabilization | | 5 | Cardio Peak | Dance/electro – “We Found Love” (Rihanna) | Higher-intensity but no jumping (wide squats, laterals) | | 6 | Functional Lower Body | 90s dance – “Gonna Make You Sweat” (C+C Music Factory) | Lunges, plié squats, glute activation | | 7 | Stretch & Vive | Acoustic / piano – Coldplay or Adele (slowed) | Full-body stretch, breathwork, “vive” affirmation |
⚠️ Exact music changed for DVD licensing; Master Class often used live-licensed tracks not on retail DVDs.
Les Mills BodyVive™ Release 22 (2011) Master Class represents a nostalgic and historically significant moment in group fitness – a final creative pulse for a program that was ahead of its time in functional, low-impact training but ultimately unable to compete with Les Mills’ stronger brands. For collectors and long-time instructors, R22 remains a “hidden gem” that showcases the brand’s commitment to inclusive fitness long before “low-impact HIIT” became mainstream.
Final verdict: A heartfelt, energetic, and well-structured release – but one that arrived just before its program was canceled.
BODYVIVE 22 was a quarterly release in the "low-impact" functional training program, filmed and distributed in
. During this era, the program focused on a 55-minute workout combining cardio, strength, and core stability, often utilizing tools like the resistance tubes Tracklist & Music Highlights
The release featured a mix of contemporary 2011 hits and remixes designed to drive specific fitness outcomes: Track 6 (Dynamic Strength): "Bright Lights Bigger City" (Cee Lo Green) Track 7 (Integrated Strength): "Boys And Girls" (Space Jammers) Track 8 (Hips): "My House" (Kids Of 88) Track 9 (Core 1 - Back): Les Mills- BodyVive 22 - Master Class -2011-
"Here Comes The Rain Again" (Freemasons Remix – Eurythmics) Track 10 (Core 2 - Abs): "Like Water" (Ladi6) Track 11 (Stretch): "Empire State Of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" (Alicia Keys) Program Focus & Historical Context Functional Training Pioneer:
BODYVIVE was an early Les Mills program to emphasize functional movement, utilizing tools like the VIVE ball and resistance tubes. The Transition:
This release preceded the shift toward higher-intensity, mixed-impact, eventually evolving into LES MILLS TONE Training Style:
The 2011 Master Class videos focused on coaching techniques such as "inclusive coaching" to provide options for all fitness levels. 2011 Les Mills releases (like BodyPump 80 or BodyCombat 50) for comparison?
The Les Mills BODYVIVE 22 Master Class, released in 2011, represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of functional fitness. As one of the cornerstone releases of the early 2010s, Release 22 solidified the program's reputation for blending cardio, strength, and core stability into a single, low-impact session. The Core Philosophy of BODYVIVE 22
At its peak in 2011, BODYVIVE was defined as a "low-impact, whole-body group fitness workout". Unlike high-intensity programs like BODYPUMP or BODYCOMBAT, Release 22 focused on functional movement—exercises designed to improve everyday activities like lifting bags, walking properly, and maintaining posture at a desk.
The Master Class format typically consists of three primary phases: Based on archived instructor notes and YouTube clips,
Cardio: Low-impact movements to elevate the heart rate without taxing the joints.
Strength: Utilization of the iconic VIVE ball and resistance tubes to sculpt muscle and improve bone density.
Core: A dedicated segment for abdominal and back stability that served as the precursor to the standalone LES MILLS CORE (formerly CXWORX) program. Legacy and the 3.1 Transition
Release 22 is often remembered by longtime instructors as a "trailblazer" for its inclusive coaching style. It was during this era that Les Mills began shifting away from "us vs. them" terminology (e.g., "if you can't do this, do that") toward a more empowering, choice-based approach.
By 2014-2015, the program underwent a major transformation into BODYVIVE 3.1, which further integrated high-energy cardio with functional strength. Today, much of the DNA from Release 22 can be found in LES MILLS TONE, which continues the tradition of a multi-peak, versatile workout for all fitness levels. Why Collectors and Instructors Still Seek Release 22
Even over a decade later, the 2011 Master Class remains a sought-after resource for its:
Iconic Soundtrack: Les Mills master classes are famous for their high-energy, curated music that drives the choreography. ⚠️ Exact music changed for DVD licensing; Master
Instructional Value: The video features legendary presenters like Susan Trainor (often called "LadyVive"), whose technical precision in Release 22 set the gold standard for functional coaching.
Foundational Science: Many of the "scientific and responsible" approaches to core training seen in modern fitness were first codified during the BodyVive 22 era. How to Shoot a Masterclass - Les Mills
History note: Les Mills eventually retired BodyVive in 2016, replacing it with The Trip and BodyBalance (which evolved from BodyFlow). Vive was seen as the "middle child"—too hard for seniors, too soft for hardcore gym rats.
However, in 2024/2025, fitness is circling back. The rise of "functional range conditioning" and "knee-friendly cardio" looks exactly like what BodyVive 22 was doing 14 years ago.
To understand the importance of release 22, you first need to understand the program. Launched in the mid-2000s, BodyVive was Les Mills’ answer to the "active-aging" and "return-to-fitness" markets.
Unlike BODYPUMP (strength) or BODYATTACK (cardio), BodyVive utilized a vive ball (a soft, small, bouncy ball) and resistance tubes. The choreography was lower impact but surprisingly high intensity. It mixed functional training, cardio blocks, balance work, and core stability into 55 minutes.
By 2011, BodyVive had developed a loyal following of participants who loved complex dance-like sequences without the plyometric landings.

