I've taught Bodypump for 5 years - AMA!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You taught it for FIVE YEARS? I am so embarrased for you. Is your husband military?

What? Do you think fitness instructors teach generally teach as their full time job? And for the money? They do it because (1) it helps keep them accountable in their own fitness. You can't bail on your workout when you have people relying on you. (2) they enjoy it! And seeing people progress in their fitness journeys! (3) it's a good way to meet people with like-minded interests

I teach BP at 6am and sometimes sub on weekends. I have a full time day job, and own my own home outright by myself (no husband, no mortgage).

Can you tell me what exactly you find so "embarrassing" about teaching a fitness class?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I loved Bodypump!
I can't get to classes now but when I do my own thing at the gym I tend to do the reps just like at Bodypump. Like I don't just do reps. I do 8 counts, 4 counts, 1-3/3-1s, and longer than I want to.

That's great, pp! And a creative way to get your strength workout in when you can't make classes. Nice work!

[Anonymous]

I am possibly joining one life and this is one of the classes that is appealing to me. Can you choose the weights that work for you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am possibly joining one life and this is one of the classes that is appealing to me. Can you choose the weights that work for you?

For your first class, I'd go very light. Bodypump is a high rep, low weight class. I recommend first-timers start with 5lbs on each side, and maybe a little more for squats. If you like the class, and once you get a feel for the rhythm of it, you can totally up your wights. You can certainly have a few extra weights to add on, or have some dumballs to quickly change your weight. But I recommend going very light for your first class - and if there's no class beforehand, go early so you can talk to the instructor or a regular. Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

Do you call out the annoying people that get there early, save “their” spot and that of their closest 5 friends, then take off, not to be seen until seconds before class starts?

[Anonymous]

This isn’t Reddit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am possibly joining one life and this is one of the classes that is appealing to me. Can you choose the weights that work for you?

For your first class, I'd go very light. Bodypump is a high rep, low weight class. I recommend first-timers start with 5lbs on each side, and maybe a little more for squats. If you like the class, and once you get a feel for the rhythm of it, you can totally up your wights. You can certainly have a few extra weights to add on, or have some dumballs to quickly change your weight. But I recommend going very light for your first class - and if there's no class beforehand, go early so you can talk to the instructor or a regular. Good luck!!

Thanks. I lift weights but this is definitely more by speed these days with a lingering elbow problem.

[Anonymous]

just wanted to say that DH is a huge bodypump fan. He's been doing it for about 5 years as well and is semi-obsessed. Our weekly schedule revolves around his class and he will drive 35 minutes to go to a class. d uring the pandemic a group from his class did it together outside. but I can't complain, he's in his late 50s with a better body than most 35 year olds so I guess it works.

I sadly do not really like body pump--I am extremely injury prone (due to hypermobility syndrome) and find it a bit too fast for me. I could really use a slow version of body pump though.

I dont really have any questions for you except whether you do any other exercise, or do you feel like body pump (which can def. get the heart rate up) is enough? DH does not do much other cardio, except occasionally pedal a bike.

[Anonymous]

No questions from me, but I love the BodyPump instructors at the local Y. One was my trainer when I was learning how to lift weights and set me on a lifelong path of loving strength.

The BodyPump instructors here are so much fun and positive; they’re community celebrities where I live.

[Anonymous]

What kind of training dd instructors have to have? I know so many women that ended up in PT after taking Bodypump and other classes at Golds. The teachers are not good about teaching proper form and especially neck/shoulder protection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The BodyPump instructors here are so much fun and positive; they’re community celebrities where I live.

I am in TEARS! 🤣 Where on Earth do you live? West Virginia?

[Anonymous]

I loved body pump. My gym doesn’t have it anymore but it was the first exercise I really liked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you call out the annoying people that get there early, save “their” spot and that of their closest 5 friends, then take off, not to be seen until seconds before class starts?

Saving/setting up spots for yourself and one friend? Fine, imho. Saving a spot for a bunch of people? Rude, and no instructor at my gym would support that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What kind of training dd instructors have to have? I know so many women that ended up in PT after taking Bodypump and other classes at Golds. The teachers are not good about teaching proper form and especially neck/shoulder protection.

They have a weekend-long (2 days) of all-day training, plus always received Les Mills updates and info. Instructors (and myself) constantly remind people to watch their form, and am happy to help people before and after class. That said, there are always some people that just aren't good a mirroring what other people do with their form, and making sure theirs matches an instructor. Those people are better suited for personal training I think - group classes just aren't their jam. I don't know anyone who's ended up needing PT for bodypump!

[Anonymous]

I've done pump 3X a week for a decade. I have lean muscles, but there is still a layer of fat. I should eat better, but what else can I do to get the fat off?