From a Somerville Studio to National Infomercials

Andrew Haynes teaching at his studio Corpbasics in Somerville. All photos provided.

Andrew Haynes, a six-degree blackbelt and owner and trainer at Somerville’s Corpbasics, has been in the fitness industry for more than 20 years, so he’s seen his share of awful infomercials. That’s why when he was making his new 10-disc DVD series ($125), he left Boston and flew to Antigua for a beautiful backdrop (and a place you can film outdoors in winter). The infomercials for the DVDs will be gracing our television sets starting this week on NESN, WCVB, and other local channels. He also has some 12:30 p.m. spots (on NESN) and Haynes is taking Corpbasics national, because the infomercial will be shown all over the country.

This isn’t like your mom’s Tae Bo videos, either. The Corpbasics system combines martial arts with dance and other heart-pumping moves, and the infomercial stays away from your typical late-night TV cheese-fest. After watching it, I wanted to buy the series (even though here in Boston we are lucky enough to be able to go to a class taught by Haynes himself).

Haynes says that the DVD series (the six-disc set, plus four bonus DVDs and an app) is a total body workout focusing on cardiovascular endurance and the mind because you have to think about the routines as you do them. The moves are a combination of body mechanics and each routine builds upon the last, so by the end of the first DVD you will have the needed skills to move on to the next. The DVDs combine punching, kicking, squatting, and core work for a total body workout.

We talked to Haynes about the DVDs, his work in Somerville, and what it’s like seeing yourself in infomercials.

What do you love most about the system?

I love that I have been able to take martial arts movements and choreograph them to music. There is nothing more amazing to me than to see people come into class, learn the routines and not realize that they are executing martial movements. I also love that over the years I have had many individuals come take my classes and love it so much that it has inspired them to become fitness instructors.

Action! Filming in Antigua.

Why did you pick the island location for filming?

I knew that the scenery was going to be amazing and knew that would be one of the eye catchers of the DVD. It’s important that the DVD’s are entertaining but most importantly, I wanted my audience to be able to put themselves right there with me and the Corpbasics team. There is something about being in the Caribbean that makes everything better even when you are working out.

How did the DVD idea come about?

I have always wanted to do a DVD series, however it was just a matter of time having to figure out how to put music and martial arts together and make it flow and most importantly make sense. I love entertaining people and feel that when I can teach a class that is my center stage. It was important for me to be able to have a product that was not only a good workout, but that people would also have fun doing.

Getting ready for the next segment.

What was it like seeing yourself on television in an infomercial?

It was interesting to see myself on television.  We are all critical of ourselves in some ways and there were moments where I would watch with one eye open and the other closed, however I have gotten over that and am proud of myself and the Corpbasics team. It was not easy to do what typically comes very natural to me and my team outside in 90 plus temperatures and a lot of cameras around us. But we pulled it together pretty well and for that I am grateful for the amazing production crew.

You will punch until your arms feel like they will fall off.

Why do you love training people?

I have always loved fitness. Nothing is more amazing when I can help people do things that they never thought they could do and seeing them make that connection with there mind and body. [I love it when] I see people achieving there goals. I feel the easy part is getting them into shape….The hard part is getting them to believe in themselves. There’s truly no amount of money that can buy the smile and the glow a person gives you when they achieve that feeling.

Back in Somerville, Haynes teaches classes daily.