You have probably heard of BodyPump, but what the heck is it exactly? This is a group fitness class that is designed to work your entire body with the help of weights.
What to Expect
Come prepared to your first BodyPump class in athletic shoes and any type of athletic clothing you feel comfortable in. At the beginning of class, your instructor will have all of the equipment set up in the front of the room that you will use throughout your workout. You can expect to use equipment including; a yoga mat, dumbells and weighted plates varying in weight, a box for elevation, and a weight bar.
The class will begin with a low weight warm up and the instructor will likely cue the range of weight you should be using. After the warm up is finished get ready to add some weight. The workout is very focused on high repetitions and the instructor will let you know that it is okay to simply use your own body weight at any time.
Next, you will go through a number of sequences throughout the workout that are targeted to work specific muscle groups. Your muscles will burn. However, you will only work each body part for a short amount of time, normally five minutes and then you will switch to working a different body part. These short intervals allow you to use heavier weights and really set your muscles on fire for that short time period.
The Workout Itself
Want to know more about what exactly to expect? Well get ready for:
- Squats
- Deadlifts
- Lunges
- Pushups
- Rows
- Crunches
- And much more!
Who is This Workout for?
In general, this workout is made for all fitness levels. However, I would caution newbies before trying BodyPump to understand proper form when it comes to basic fitness moves like squats, lunges, and deadlifts. If these basic moves are done improperly you are at risk for injury.
*Tip: Try doing each one of these exercises while watching yourself in the mirror, and remember form first. It’s okay to go slow to ensure correct form even when you are in class.