LES MILLS – GRIT at the Shouraki martial arts school & fitness centre in Aachen

GRIT is a high-intensity interval training from LES MILLS in compact 30-minute sessions. Short, maximally intense work phases alternate with targeted recovery breaks, structured by music. The format improves strength, stamina, athleticism and mental resilience in a short time. At Shouraki in Aachen, GRIT is one of the LES MILLS fitness classes alongside the martial arts offer.

A GRIT session lasts 30 minutes. In that time short peaks of effort and targeted recovery phases alternate, so a complete workout fits into half an hour. That is exactly what makes GRIT practical for everyday life: you can fit the class in even when time is tight. You will find the current class times in the timetable on this page.

There are three programmes: GRIT Strength, GRIT Cardio and GRIT Athletic. GRIT Strength works with a barbell and extra weight, GRIT Cardio at pure bodyweight pace, GRIT Athletic with athletic movement patterns from elite sport. All three follow the same interval principle and challenge you to the maximum in 30 minutes. You will find out which programme is running when you are in the class.

Yes, GRIT suits every fitness level, because every exercise can be adjusted in pace, weight and intensity. You decide how far you go in the work phases and work at your own limit rather than your neighbour's. Clean technique matters more than speed. To try it out, you can arrange a free trial class online.

After a short warm-up come several interval blocks in which maximum effort and a defined rest alternate, each paced by the music. Depending on the programme you work with a barbell, with your own body weight or with athletic movement patterns. The session ends with a cool-down phase. After 30 minutes it is over, and your metabolism stays active afterwards.

GRIT is a 30-minute interval workout with maximum peaks of effort, while BODYPUMP is a longer barbell workout with many repetitions at a moderate weight. GRIT aims at explosiveness, fat burning and mental resilience, BODYPUMP at muscular endurance and definition of all the major muscle groups. Both classes run at Shouraki in Aachen.

Yes, the GRIT slots are deliberately scheduled in parallel with our kids' classes. While your child trains in the Panda or Ninja group, you can step onto the mat yourself in the same hour: one trip, one slot, two workouts. Waiting parents also have a comfortable waiting area. You can see which classes run in parallel in the timetable on this page. Your first session counts as your one-off free trial in the gym; after that you train with your own membership.

Expect 30 minutes of high intensity, in which the work phases are meant to take you to your limit. Aim to learn the movements cleanly first and to pace yourself on purpose rather than going along with every repetition. Bring sturdy indoor trainers, a towel and enough water. The instructor demonstrates every exercise and offers alternatives.