BodyPump

By WLR's Site Manager, Laurence Beeken

BodyPump is a new and exciting way to introduce fitness and exercise into people’s lives, and exercise classes are popping up everywhere.

One of the current fitness workouts is BodyPump. Although started originally in New Zealand by Les Mills in 1991, Body Pump has now taken hold globally as a great class for people of all levels of fitness.

Most gyms now offer classes, so why not have a go at this great workout at your local centre. Taught by professional instructors, the calories burnt by BodyPump will leave you smiling before and after your session!  

What Are The Benefits Of A BodyPump Workout?

With professional instructors and a whole class around you, as well as motivational music to work out along to, BodyPump ensures you not only enjoy your work out but also give it everything you’ve got!

Your body will tone up as you gain muscle and as the fat drops off you will notice improved shape and definition around your body.

Weight Loss Success with BodyPump

Rose used BodyPump to help increase the calories she burnt while Chris took up the classes to keep up his weight loss following surgery. See how much weight you could lose when you burn calories with a lively body pump workout.

How Many calories are burned in a Body Pump workout?

With classes lasting 45 to 60 minutes there is ample time to burn serious calories. And we all know, more calories burned than taken in will result in weight loss. During a 60 minute session the calories burned by body pump exercises can be around 600, depending on the intensity of the class.

What Is BodyPump?

BodyPump is a cardio strength class that utilizes barbells to perform resistance exercises and workouts; all completed to upbeat music mix tracks. Body pump classes are run by professional trainers and usually last around 45-60 minutes. They are fun yet rigorous workouts that raise heart rate, work every area of your body and cause serious calorie burn.

What can I expect from a Body Pump workout?

You will perform a 45-60 minute long workout with a class of people whilst timing repetitions to music mix tapes. Your BodyPump instructor will take you through a warm up with light weights initially to get you ready for the intense workout.

You then complete an intense muscle and cardio workout using a barbell. Each of the major muscle groups are worked in turn including chest, back, shoulders and abdominals. This ensures maximum calorie burn and toning as it hits every area of your body.

The tempo of the music finally slows down as you perform a cool down and complete stretches to reduce muscle soreness and risk of injury.

Are BodyPump Classes Good For Weight Loss?

Resistance training with weights is a great calorie burner and excellent way to build muscle. As muscles repair from the workouts your body’s metabolism is increased. This means that calories are burned by BodyPump at an increased rate long after you finish the Body Pump class.

With increased muscle mass on your body you require more energy day to day, which if you follow a calorie deficit diet will result in a greater rate of loss.

So not only do you burn plenty of calories performing the workout, you also continue burning them as your body recovers and you can permanently increase your metabolism by building muscle.

Can I join a BodyPump class?

Due to the nature of these workouts and the weight lifting involved, you must first attend a Body Pump clinic class. These are held at the same gyms which do BodyPump and are simply to teach participants correct technique and form before attending a class. Once complete you can attend any of the classes available.

Are There Any Variations To BodyPump Classes?

Most certainly, if barbells are not your forte you can try any from a range of classes that are offered nationwide. These include:

• BodyAttack – Sports inspired workouts that mix interval training and agility exercises to improve your fitness and tone and shape your body.
• BodyCombat – In incorporates Karate, Boxing, Taekwondo, Tai Chi and Muay Thai to unleash your inner warrior in a fun kicking and punching workout.  
• BodyBalance – Using Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates moves to increase your Body Balance.
• BodyStep – Utilizing a stepper for huge calorie burn and thigh workouts.
• BodyJam – A cardio dance workout with simple but fun choreography that gets you dancing and enjoying yourself so much you totally forget that it's exercise.
• BodyVive – A low impact workout performed with stretch tubing and Vive balls that will improve fitness and toning with minimal stress to joints.

Different gyms are likely to offer different classes so just ask or check online what they have to offer.

Where Can I find and join a BodyPump class?

Various gyms offer BodyPump classes as part of their memberships or you can go just for the class alone. Most Harpers, Bannatynes and Virgin Active gyms offer BodyPump classes but check local gyms in your area as they may also do it.

For more information take a look at the official BodyPump website