Why I think EVERYONE in the world needs BODYPUMP in their life. I used to HATE group fitness classes. So why am I now proclaiming my love for BodyPump... especially because there is a flippin step involved? Is it the 560 calories I burn? Or maybe it's all the benefits that happen AFTER class... read on.
A few months after I had baby number 8, a friend invited me to come to a Body Pump class at our local YMCA. What is BodyPump you ask? BodyPump is a group exercise (hold on group haters, don’t click away yet) class that incorporates light barbell weight with high repetition to build lean muscle mass.
Pretty much what that means is it’s PERFECT for those of us who want to build beautiful lean muscles, but aren’t looking to bulk up like the hulk!
After I went with my friend for the first time, I immediately fell in love. Soon afterward, I was going to the class 3 times per week, religiously. Not only did I LOVE the class, the environment, and the instructors, I LOVED knowing that the more muscle I had, the more calories I’d burn while sleeping! (This is a great article that shows what happens with BodyPump and long term calorie burn).
If you’ve been lackluster with your workouts, if you want fast action fun, if you want to workout with people that uplift and inspire you, then you need to check out a Body Pump workout class in your area and see if it’s right for you.
You’ll see in all my pictures that there are men and women of all ages, shapes, and sizes attending and benefiting from BodyPump. My intention is to show you what it’s all about so your interest is peaked enough to go try a class out! And no, I am not at all affiliated with BodyPump or Les Mills… I’m simply sharing something that I love and what has been working for me!
I used to HATE group fitness classes. I tried them several times too… but I’d ALWAYS leave feeling ridiculous. Let’s be honest here… this girl (me) is seriously lacking in the coordination department. Keeping up with step and aerobics was incredibly discouraging to me and I simply didn’t like it.
So, why am I now proclaiming my love for BodyPump… especially since there IS a flippin’ step involved? Read on my friend… read on.
This is PERFECT for those of us that are NOT coordinated. Once you get past the learning curve, you’ll realize the “routine” of BodyPump.
P.S. – The step is NOT used like it is for a traditional step class. We use it instead as a “bench” for working during the chest track, sometimes tricep track, and even the core track.
The synergy that comes when the whole class is working at the same beat is very motivating! There is seriously a zipping energy that comes from doing the same movements at the same time as everyone else in the room with you!
If I’m in the gym lifting all by myself, it’s so much easier to cheat on the number of reps because I’m not accountable to anyone. Group synergy is a real thing, people!
92% of the time I love the music. It’s energizing, modern and fun! Any BodyPumper can be driving in the car, or walking in the store and hear a BodyPump song and immediately know what part of the class that song is from and start doing the choreography!
You can find many of the songs on this big ol playlist on Spotify (note that I listen to it outside of class to energize myself… also note that all songs are edited, so if it’s an explicit song on the radio, it’s NOT in BodyPump class).
If your gym has the official Les Mills bars and plates, it’s crazy easy to get your weight on the bar. The bars are only 7 pounds and comfortable to hold. Here’s how the plates work:
You can put up to 6 plates on your bar, so it’s easy to add on weight and challenge yourself as you progress over the weeks and months. OR if you’re not having a fueled day, it’s easy to swap your weight out to make it manageable but still challenging.
This is what I love the most… I love getting stronger, I love changing the composition of my body, and I love the challenge of BodyPump.
In the beginning, the challenge was just to finish the class. Now I love to challenge myself by going up in my weight. If my elbow pits aren’t sweating by the end of the squat track, then I know it’s time to add weight to my bar. 😅
I see a lot of people aged 60+ doing Body Pump! It is incredibly customizable because YOU do the weight (or even just bodyweight) that works for you!
If you’ve never lifted weights in your life, you can still do this class! There is a LOT of science involved and the certified instructors are trained to teach the technique. The classes and choreography are based on science and will work for everyone’s physiology! It’s actually an excellent way to incorporate weights in your life!
The people that go to body pump are positive, encouraging, and great to be around! I love working out beside the women (and men) that consistently come to BodyPump. The group fitness structure holds you accountable.
It’s pretty awesome to see others lifting weights and I think it helps break that barrier when you see other people pushing themselves, it encourages you to push yourself too.
When I push myself and break through my mental barriers by doing 1000 reps in an hour, I feel great not only physically but mentally as well. I’ve also got an excellent instructor pushing me, encouraging me, and inspiring me to do better and stick through it.
I ALWAYS feel so great when I finish a class knowing that I am a stronger person than I was when I when I walked in that room.
If you want your first workout to be as fun and effective as possible, follow my body pump tips for beginners!
Get to know the instructor a bit and let her/him know you’re new. OR find someone in the class that looks like they’ve been there before. They will happily help you get set up and give some advice! They are there teaching pump because they LOVE it too! So utilize them!
Even if you’ve been lifting in the gym, you’ll be doing a LOT more reps than what you’re used to. You won’t be able to squat 150 pounds for non-stop 5 minutes. Go light!!
Start learning good technique, increase flexibility and movement, and then you can start adding more weight. There is NOTHING wrong with starting just with body weight if you want to.
No one is watching what you’re doing (except a good instructor). Everyone is focusing on their own form… talking themselves through the class. If anything, they are proud of you for walking in the room and starting something new and really hope you come back again!
For your first class, you can just do the first 4 tracks and then come again in two days and do the first 5 tracks. Then come again the next week and do 6 tracks and so on… build up to the full 55-minute class over a couple of weeks. Do this especially if you haven’t been physically active up until this point.
You’re learning something new. Everyone in that room has been in your shoes before. You’ll get off beat, you’ll have a hard time understanding the clean and press during the backtrack. It’s OK! Just do the best you can. You’re already a winner because you’re in that room! Don’t give up!
You WILL be sore. To this day I take an extra 15 minutes after the class and stretch and use the foam roller in the gym.
When I bump up my weight or push myself extra hard, I will foam roll at night at home too. I own this foam roller and love having it in my home. It’s a must-have for me!
When you lift, you are tearing your muscles (so they can then rebuild even stronger). Hydrating will help flush your body out and help you get rid of those sore muscles faster. Plus it’s just good for you!
It is a great natural way to relax muscles. This is the detox bath recipe I use… except, when I’m needing support for my muscles, I use lavender or Deep Blue instead of OnGuard. Just make sure you drink a LOT of water when you take this muscle soak to stay hydrated!
First of all, who wouldn’t want to go back and hang with the great people at pump. But honestly, I’ve found that the act of moving my body again, even though I’m still sore, helps me get over the pain and stiffness faster!
Don’t wait. Go back. Your body will acclimate faster. If you’re in a lot of pain, just ease back on the weights. But it’s so important to keep going! Plus it’s just such a great environment to be a part of. Go back!
For a while, I pretty much stopped going to BodyPump because of how busy things were here on the blog. Not only did I miss out on the physical benefits of BodyPump, I really missed out on what it did for me mentally.
Even if I leave my house feeling tired and not 100% wanting to go, I go. By the time I arrive, I’m feeling more mentally ready. And by the time I walk out of that class, I am ALWAYS happier, more energized, and empowered. I ALWAYS feel stronger… not just physically, but mentally.
I’m now back to BodyPump and committed to doing it 3 times per week… no matter what! I’m a better wife, mom, and CEO when I have Body Pump in my life. It’s non-negotiable for me now. I am worth it. And so are you. Go find yourself a BodyPump class here.
Les Mills has taken the world by storm, and we’re on the bandwagon. With fun, pumping music, dynamic workouts and amazing results, we’re sure that you will jump on the wagon with us.
In this post, 24/7 Fitness looks at what Les Mills BODYPUMP is, what classes we offer, and the great benefits of Les Mills. Keep reading to find out why you should sign up for the soonest available class today.
What is Les Mills BODYPUMP?
Les Mills BODYPUMP is the original full-body workout that shapes, tones, and strengthens your entire body. This class uses barbells and your body weight to challenge all your muscle groups, strengthening your body from top to toe.
This addictive workout utilises top-notch motivation, encouragement and great music to get you sweating. With challenging exercises like squats, presses, lifts and curls, this scientific workout is a breakthrough in fitness training that focuses on high repetition movements with low weight loads.
This class is designed to help you achieve much more than you would on your own. After all, we all know that working out alone can be demotivating, especially when you don’t see the results you’re after. But with BODYPUMP, you’ll have the motivation of your instructors, other gymgoers, and awesome music.
What are the different types of Les Mills classes?
Our gyms now offer an array of Les Mills classes to suit every body and taste. Here are the five awesome classes that you can try at your nearest 24/7 Fitness gym today:
Les Mills BODYPUMP
Les Mills BODYPUMP is the original Les Mills workout. It’s a high-intensity workout designed to shape, tone, and strengthen the whole body
Les Mills BODYBALANCE
Our Les Mills BODYBALANCE classes focus on building strength and flexibility while achieving physical harmony and balance. These classes are a combination of Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates and offer a truly holistic workout
Les Mills BODYCOMBAT
This energetic, empowering cardio workout is inspired by martial arts and will have you feeling like you can take on the world. Our expert Les Mills BODYCOMBAT classes draw from a wide array of martial arts, including boxing, karate, tai chi, taekwondo and muay Thai.
With the support of our motivating instructors and loud, powerful music, you’ll burn calories and build strength by kicking, striking, punching and more. It’s a ton of fun and makes an excellent addition to any gym schedule.
Les Mills SH’BAM
Do you love to dance and move your body? Or are you a little unsure of your dance moves but want to give it a try anyway? Our SH’BAM Les Mills classes feature simple, hot dance moves that get you sweating and shape up your body.
Even if you have two left feet, this fun and sociable workout is a great option for you. Set to chart-topping dance hits, modernised Latin beats, remixed classics and the most popular nightclub music, this class is an absolute blast.
Les Mills RPM
Last up on our awesome class list; we have Les Mills RPN. This fantastic workout is a group indoor cycling class. Of course, great music is one of the cornerstones of Les Mills, and you won’t be disappointed with RPM. pumping music will have you spinning with enthusiasm and make this exercise fun and exciting.
Though this is a low-impact workout (great for those joints), you can burn up to 675 calories a session. You also control the intensity, so it will always suit your physical capabilities. With the encouragement of your instructor, the motivation of your fellow classmates giving it their best, and great music, you’ll reach your personal fitness goals in no time.
Benefits of Les Mills BODYPUMP
During BODYPUMP workouts, you exercise your chest, legs, shoulders, back and abdominals. So this total body workout has plenty of benefits for the whole body. Here are our favourites BODYPUMP benefits:
Burns fat
Increases muscle mass
Defines, tones and shapes
Relieves muscle aches and stiffness
Improves posture by strengthening abdominals, back and shoulders
Motivates exercise and gets you moving
Burns more calories than most other workouts
Conclusion on BODYPUMP Les Mills
At 24/7 Fitness, we offer a broad range of classes to suit every need, taste and body. Les Mills is one of our (and our customers) favourites, as it burns tons of calories while offering a fun, energetic workout. So check out our timetable, and find the right class for you!
More About 24/7 Fitness Locations
Working out has never been this easy with our ever expanding footprint of gyms and fitness centres around the country.
Looking for a gym near you? Here is a list of our locations
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