I've taught Bodypump for 5 years - AMA!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is BodyPump? I’ve never heard of it. Why should I be interested? How is it better than yoga, running, and free weights?

It’s a Les Mills class offered at OneLife and other big gym. It’s a low weight high rep lifting class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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!

Two days of training!?

The people getting hurt/getting PT are the ones who aren’t showing back up in your class!

Nice, any SAHM who took a weekend course could be your instructor. The lack of real barriers to entry into the fitness industry is quite appalling, given the potential risks to the clients. This goes for personal trainers too. Most of them can’t tell their knee from their a** but as long as they are “personable” and look good themselves they always manage to find clients.

Sounds like group exercise isn't for you, and that's ok. It's meant to appeal to a wide variety of people. But for outliers, it isn't helpful to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been attending bodypump classes for nearly 2 years, but feel like I've plateaued with my weight selection. Any tips for adding more weight?

Specifically for me, I haven't been able to add more weight for the biceps track.

A few tips:

1) Slow down! Slow way down! A lot of people finish a 4x4 rep on the "2" count. It isn't a race - slow is much harder. Spending too much time at the top or bottom is not challenging yourself - think of it like a game of pong - you "touch" the top, not rest there.

2) Have a variety of weights! Use dumbbells! Or even a 2nd bar! Go heavier for the first half of a track, then lighten up as you start to feel fatigued.

3) Go heavier, but take more breaks. Skip a rep, then jump back in!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m intimidated with the body pump class at my gym. I haven’t taken it yet but observed a couple of classes. I’m clumsy. Do all of the classes have so many changes in weights and equipment? The people in class lie down, get back up, I see them switching out weights all the time.

I am the PP who is new to it. I get it but also it’s not as hard as it looks. And you don’t have to switch out so much. It’s perfectly OK to just keep the 5lb plates on there and they also have dumbbells as another option. I’m not sure I will go much heavier. I like the low weight high rep and I can also lift heavy in the gym if I wanted.

Thank you. Everybody had dumbbells, a barbell, and I saw people lifting just the plates. It looked like a lot to me. So you’re telling me I can keep just one option and use that one option the entire workout?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been attending bodypump classes for nearly 2 years, but feel like I've plateaued with my weight selection. Any tips for adding more weight?

Specifically for me, I haven't been able to add more weight for the biceps track.

No op. What’s the limit?

I ask because I’ve had a lingering elbow injury that’s triggered by bicep curls sometimes so I usually stay low if necessary.

There's no limit. Use weights that are challenging and safe to you - don't compare yourself to someone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am coming back to this because I’m new to body pump and have tried a few classes

I don’t like back racking. Ever. Is it OK to just use one weight in a front hold in front of the chest.

So much equipment set up and take down. Is it necessary to have the step? I guess it helps to get deeper on chest press but when we did lunges with it, I choose not to.
I guess I’m wondering how much you can modify before the instructor gets annoyed and it’s not being done with fidelity?

I don't know any instructor that's bothered by modifications. But if you're doing a lot or kind of doing your own thing, please don't set up towards the front of a class. It's fine to do modifications for yourself, but it's rude to be a distraction to others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m intimidated with the body pump class at my gym. I haven’t taken it yet but observed a couple of classes. I’m clumsy. Do all of the classes have so many changes in weights and equipment? The people in class lie down, get back up, I see them switching out weights all the time.

You get used to it! Once you learn the order of exercises and learn what weights work well for you, it becomes automatic. But in the beginning, yes it be confusing--that's normal!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m intimidated with the body pump class at my gym. I haven’t taken it yet but observed a couple of classes. I’m clumsy. Do all of the classes have so many changes in weights and equipment? The people in class lie down, get back up, I see them switching out weights all the time.

You get used to it! Once you learn the order of exercises and learn what weights work well for you, it becomes automatic. But in the beginning, yes it be confusing--that's normal!

NP and I might suggest using the on demand content first. I like it because I can get started and learn in private without feeling judged that I needed breaks during the workout. You can also learn the moves on your own time. Pause and rewind to see what's happening and get your form right. For me I do on-demand only because I don't feel like driving to the gym.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m intimidated with the body pump class at my gym. I haven’t taken it yet but observed a couple of classes. I’m clumsy. Do all of the classes have so many changes in weights and equipment? The people in class lie down, get back up, I see them switching out weights all the time.

I am the PP who is new to it. I get it but also it’s not as hard as it looks. And you don’t have to switch out so much. It’s perfectly OK to just keep the 5lb plates on there and they also have dumbbells as another option. I’m not sure I will go much heavier. I like the low weight high rep and I can also lift heavy in the gym if I wanted.

Thank you. Everybody had dumbbells, a barbell, and I saw people lifting just the plates. It looked like a lot to me. So you’re telling me I can keep just one option and use that one option the entire workout?

You can! The reason why people use All The Things, is because different exercises tend to require more weight (squats are the heaviest, shoulders are usually a fair amount lighter). Or different exercise feel more comfortable to different people with a different mechanism.