Unlike modern RPM releases that start with a bass drop, Release 56 opens with the jangly, brit-pop guitar of The Kooks. "Always Where I Need To Be" is a masterclass in psychology. The instructor would coach you to "find your seat, find your breath." The resistance is zero, the cadence is moderate. You think you’re in for a pop-fest. You are wrong.
Florence Welch’s No Light, No Light is a dramatic, piano-led ballad. As the resistance leaves the bike and the cadence slows, you feel the endorphin flood. It is melancholic, powerful, and haunting. You’ve just spent 50 minutes attacking a imaginary mountain, and now you’re stretching to Florence. It feels like a movie ending.
To understand RPM 56, you have to look at the era. In 2010, Les Mills was globalizing rapidly. BodyPump was king, but RPM was the quiet contender. Unlike the high-intensity, choreography-heavy "Trip" (which would come later), classic RPM was raw.
The previous few releases (52, 53, 54) had experimented with longer Speed Work tracks and more complex climbs. Release 56 stripped it all back. The production team, led by Program Directors Glen Ostergaard (co-creator of RPM) and a young Diana Archer Mills, decided to focus on three things: Resistance, Cadence, and Attitude.
The result? A tracklist that flows like a perfectly built pyramid of pain, culminating in one of the most infamous final climbs in RPM history.
If you are trying to recreate RPM 56 today (perhaps on a home bike or in a vintage class), keep these points in mind:
Music Vibe: Ethereal building to aggressive.
Most RPM warm-ups are about finding your rhythm. Track 1 of Release 56 starts deceptively calm. As the deadmau5 chords swell, the ride instructions are simple: "Find your breath." But the Madeon remix injects a frantic energy. Coaches often note that by the third minute, the resistance is already on. It’s a warm-up that wakes up the legs without shocking the heart, but it warns you: This is not a gentle ride.
The soundtrack for Release 56 is exceptional. It moves away from pure Top 40 pop and leans heavily into driving rock, remixes, and anthemic tracks. The playlist is cohesive, building a narrative that feels like a journey rather than just a workout. The vibe is gritty, determined, and uplifting, pushing participants to find a "flow state" during the endurance tracks and explosive power in the peaks.
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Les Mills RPM 56 is a high-energy indoor cycling release from 2012, designed to build cardiovascular endurance and lower-body strength through a choreographed journey of simulated terrains. This specific release is noted for its musical intensity, particularly in the later tracks (5, 6, and 7), where the workout reaches its "cardio peak" and does not back off until the finish line. The RPM 56 Tracklist
The workout is structured into nine distinct tracks, each with a specific terrain and training focus: Track 1: Pack Ride (Warm-up)
Establishing a base resistance and finding the rhythm while warming up the legs. Track 2: Pace – Jason Derulo Increasing leg speed and building a steady aerobic base. Track 3: Hills Laserlight (DRM vs. Dayz Remix) – Electro Driverz les mills rpm 56
Building strength with increased resistance to simulate climbing a steady hill. Track 4: Mixed Terrain Charlie Brown – Coldplay
A mix of flats and short climbs, providing a brief transition before the high-intensity work begins. Track 5: Intervals Crush On You – Nero (or Cavern Buckle)
This is where the intensity spikes significantly with repeated high-effort sprints. Track 6: Speed Work Ya Mama (Push The Tempo) (Moguai Remix) – Fatboy Slim & Moguai
Described by presenters as the standout track musically, it pushes participants to their maximum speed. Track 7: Mountain Climb Apollo Road – ATB & Dash Berlin
The final peak of the workout; heavy resistance and high-power output to "conquer" the steepest part of the journey. Track 8: Ride Home You Are The Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne Slowing down the pace to facilitate active recovery. Track 9: Stretch 93 Million Miles – Jason Mraz
Final cool-down and stretching for the major muscle groups used, specifically the quads and hamstrings. Key Features of Release 56 Intensity Profile:
Release 56 is specifically designed to create a "peak" experience starting at Track 5 and maintaining high intensity through Track 7. Coaching for Newcomers:
The program emphasizes providing "options" or modifications during the hardest tracks to ensure both beginners and regulars can participate effectively. Science of Cardio Peak Training:
Like all RPM releases, this session utilizes intervals of 60–80% heart rate combined with peaks at 85–90%, maximizing fat-burning and aerobic adaptation. Village Gym Practical Tips for Participants
Les MIlls - RPM 56 - playlist by Patrice Ducourtioux - Spotify
Les Mills Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is widely regarded as a high-intensity release that focuses on catering to both newcomers and seasoned regulars. The workout follows a specific intensity curve that builds significantly from Track 5 and maintains a super-high intensity until the end of Track 7. Tracklist & Musical Highlights
The release is noted for its strong musical selection, particularly in the later tracks. Unlike modern RPM releases that start with a
Track 1: Pack Ride – Drive By by Train. An easy start to introduce the body to the workout. Track 2: Pace – Breathing by Jason Derulo.
Track 3: Hills – LaserLight (Hard Club Remix Radio Edit) by Jessie J ft. David Guetta. A highlight of the first half of the release.
Track 4: Mixed Terrain – Charlie Brown by Coldplay. Described as an uplifting and favorite track for many riders.
Track 5: Intervals – Crush On You by NERO. This is where the release's peak intensity begins.
Track 6: Speed Work – Pressure (Alesso Remix) by Nadia Ali, Starkillers & Alex Kenji. Considered the musical standout and a major highlight of the entire release.
Track 7: Mountain Climb – Apollo Road (Club Version) by ATB with Dash Berlin. It is designed to push participants to their absolute limits with appropriate resistance.
Track 8: Ride Home – You Are The Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne. Track 9: Stretch – 93 Million Miles by Jason Mraz. Key Workout Features
Intensity Peak: The "super-high intensity" phase is concentrated in Tracks 5, 6, and 7.
Catering to All Levels: The release emphasizes providing options for new participants, especially in the high-intensity tracks, while still challenging regulars.
Heart Rate Goals: The workout is structured to spike heart rates into the 80%+ zone starting early in the ride, particularly by Track 3.
Performance Focus: Track 7 is explicitly mentioned as a place to "leave everything on the floor".
Confessions of an RPM Addict | the story of my les mills journey To understand RPM 56, you have to look at the era
Here are a few post ideas for Les Mills RPM 56, a classic release known for its high-energy music and challenging "peak" finish. Option 1: The "Hype" Post (Best for Instructors)
Headline: Get Ready to Ride: RPM 56 is Here! 🚴♂️💨Body:We’re throwing it back to a legendary release that never gets old. From the massive energy of Track 5 (Spitfire) to the epic finish with Track 7 (Greyhound), this ride is all about finding your limits and smashing through them.
The standout this round? Track 6 (Pressure). Musically, it’s a masterpiece that will keep your legs moving even when they want to quit. Whether you’re a regular or a newbie, there are options for everyone—but don’t expect us to stay "light and fluffy" the whole way through! Highlights: Track 1: Drive By – Train (Warm-up) Track 3: Laserlight – Jessie J ft. David Guetta (Hills) Track 6: Pressure (Alesso Remix) – Nadia Ali (Speed Work) Track 7: Greyhound – Swedish House Mafia (Mountain Climb)
See you on the saddle! 👊 #LesMills #RPM56 #IndoorCycling #RideAsOne Option 2: The "Member Focus" Post (Short & Punchy)
Headline: Can you handle the pressure? 🏔️Body:RPM 56 is hitting the studio and it’s a journey of pure cardio peaks. 📈 We start steady with Train’s "Drive By" but by the time we hit the intervals, it’s all-out intensity. Why you’ll love it:
Epic Beats: Music from Coldplay, Swedish House Mafia, and Jason Derulo.
The Challenge: Tracks 5, 6, and 7 create a non-stop peak that will leave you breathless.
The Finish: A soulful cool-down to Jason Mraz’s "93 Million Miles". Book your bike now! 🚲✨ #GroupFitness #CycleLife #RPM56 Tracklist Reference for Your Post:
If you want to list the full music set, here is the official RPM 56 Tracklist: Pack Ride: Drive By – Train Pace: Breathing – Jason Derulo Hills: Laserlight – Jessie J ft. David Guetta Mixed Terrain: Charlie Brown – Coldplay Intervals: Spitfire – Late Latin (Cover)
Speed Work: Pressure (Alesso Remix) – Nadia Ali, Starkillers & Alex Kenji Mountain Climb: Greyhound – Swedish House Mafia Ride Home: You Are The Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne Stretch: 93 Million Miles – Jason Mraz
Les MIlls - RPM 56 - playlist by Patrice Ducourtioux - Spotify