Short answer: Yes.
While cycling technology has evolved (stages, power zones, RPM now competes with The Trip and virtual riding), the physiological principles of RPM 56 are timeless.
Les Mills RPM 56 is not the prettiest release. It doesn't have the flashy graphics of the modern "Immersive" rides. But it has soul. It represents an era where indoor cycling was less about entertainment and more about confronting your own limits.
So, find an instructor with a dusty hard drive, clip into a bike, and turn the resistance knob to the right. The hammer is waiting.
Did you ride RPM 56 live? Do you remember the "Hammer" cue on the Mountain track? Share your memories in the comments (or on the Les Mills subreddit).
Les Mills RPM 56 is a classic release from the indoor cycling program, first debuting in late 2012. It is widely remembered for its high-energy electronic and rock soundtrack that guides riders through a 45-minute journey of climbs, sprints, and interval training. Tracklist & Musical Highlights
The music in RPM 56 is celebrated for its mix of rhythmic house and high-intensity rock, designed to synchronize with specific cycling terrains: Track 1 (Pack Ride):
– Train. A light-resistance warm-up to find your rhythm and prep the legs. Track 2 (Pace): – Jason Derulo. A faster pace to build aerobic capacity. Track 3 (Hills): LaserLight
– Jessie J feat. David Guetta. The first major climb, focusing on building leg strength with heavy resistance. Track 4 (Mixed Terrain): Charlie Brown
– Coldplay. A mix of standing and seated positions to tackle varied road conditions. Track 5 (Intervals): Crush On You
– NERO. A "cardio scorcher" featuring high-intensity efforts followed by short recoveries. Track 6 (Speed Work): Ya Mama (Push The Tempo) les mills rpm 56
– Fatboy Slim (Moguai Remix). High-RPM sprints to test endurance and top speed. Track 7 (Mountain Climb): Apollo Road
– ATB & Dash Berlin. A lyrical, transporting peak climb that pushes riders to their maximum power. Track 8 (Ride Home): You Are The Best Thing
– Ray LaMontagne. A celebratory recovery to lower the heart rate. Track 9 (Stretch): 93 Million Miles
– Jason Mraz. Full-body stretches to improve flexibility and aid recovery. Workout Structure RPM format
is built on the principle of "riding to the beat." In Release 56, the workout follows a standard peak-and-trough intensity profile: Increases blood flow and lubricates joints. Intensity Building: Tracks 2 through 4 steadily raise the heart rate. Maximum Effort:
Tracks 5 and 7 are the "peaks," where you burn the most calories (up to 675 per session). Flats & Sprints: Track 6 focuses on leg speed rather than heavy resistance. Cool-down: Essential for heart rate recovery and muscle health. Where to Find It
While older releases like RPM 56 are sometimes rotated back into live classes as "throwbacks," they are most easily accessed digitally: LES MILLS+: The official Les Mills+ platform
often features a "Classics" section where older releases are available for home streaming. Spotify Playlists: You can listen to the original soundtrack on
to recreate the vibe during your own solo training sessions. breakdown of the choreography for a specific track, or are you looking for similar releases with this style of music?
The release of Les Mills RPM 56 in late 2012 marked a high-energy chapter in the indoor cycling program, characterized by a mix of indie-pop, electronic beats, and classic rock. This release focused on building cardiovascular endurance through a structured "journey" of terrain-based tracks. 🎵 Tracklist Highlights Short answer: Yes
The music of RPM 56 was designed to drive specific riding phases, from the initial warm-up to the final recovery. Song Title LaserLight Jessie J ft. David Guetta Charlie Brown Mixed Terrain Crush On You Everybody Talks Neon Trees Speed Work Ya Mama (Push The Tempo) Fatboy Slim (Moguai Remix) Mountain Climb Apollo Road ATB & Dash Berlin You Are The Best Thing Ray LaMontagne 93 Million Miles Jason Mraz 🚴 The Ride Experience
The "story" of RPM 56 follows the standard 45-minute Les Mills format, but with specific emotional peaks tied to its iconic tracks: The Warm-up (Tracks 1-2):
A lighthearted start with Train's "Drive By" to find the rhythm, followed by the electronic pulse of "LaserLight" to build the first layer of intensity. The Emotional Climb (Track 3):
Coldplay's "Charlie Brown" serves as the first major hill, using soaring melodies to help riders push through the initial resistance. The High-Energy Peak (Track 6):
The remix of "Ya Mama (Push The Tempo)" is the technical "speed work" highlight, pushing riders to their maximum cadence. The Final Peak (Track 7):
The "Mountain Climb" to "Apollo Road" is designed as the ultimate endurance test before the cool-down begins. 💡 Key Workouts Stats ~45 minutes. Calories Burned: 675 calories per session. Low-impact, high-intensity rhythmic cardio.
If you are looking for this specific release, you can find user-curated playlists on Spotify (Playlist 1) Spotify (Playlist 2) to relive the workout. If you'd like, I can help you: the intensity of RPM 56 to newer releases like choreography tips for specific tracks like the "Mountain Climb." Explain the difference between RPM and other cycling programs like Les Mills - RPM 56 - playlist by remco.eissing - Spotify
This guide covers the tracklist, the coaching "nuggets," the specific technical challenges of this release, and the energy profile for each track.
Music Vibe: Acoustic, folk, melancholic.
Most RPM cool downs use pop ballads or ambient trance. RPM 56 goes rogue with an acoustic folk metal track (stripped of vocals). It feels like rowing a boat to shore after a shipwreck. It allows the heart rate to drop slowly, stretching the hip flexors while the strings play a Celtic melody. It’s weird. It’s perfect. Les Mills RPM 56 is not the prettiest release
Song: We No Speak Americano (Bart B More Remix) – Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP Time: ~5:30
The Goal: Wake up the nervous system, not exhaust it. Establish a smooth, circular pedal stroke. Coaching Nuggets:
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.
Les Mills RPM 56 is a 56-minute indoor cycling (spinning) workout from Les Mills’ RPM program. It’s structured around timed tracks with varied intensity: climbs, sprints, intervals and recovery. The class combines upbeat music, coach cues, and resistance/ cadence changes to build cardiovascular fitness and lower-body strength.
Song: Teenage Crime (Axwell & Henrik B Remix) – Adrian Lux Time: ~6:00
The Goal: Find a sustainable "race pace." 80% effort. Smooth power. Coaching Nuggets:
RPM 56 is often remembered by longtime instructors for its tough but motivating music and strong leg-speed sections. It pushed riders with longer intervals at high cadence.
Problem: Riders cannot finish Track 4 (Pendulum). Fix: Before the track starts, say: "If you're new, choose a resistance that allows you to stay seated for the entire first verse. Standing is optional today."
Problem: Legs feel "dead" by Track 6 (Kickstarts). Fix: Remind riders that Track 5 (Sprints) requires full recovery between intervals. The 30-second recovery should feel easy. If it doesn't, they sprinted too hard.
Problem: Lower back pain during Track 3 & 4. Fix: Check handlebar height. If bars are too low, the back rounds. Cue: "Pull your hips back behind the saddle. Reach your chest toward the front of the handlebar, not down to the floor."