what is BODYPUMP?

For many months now you’ve heard me talk about BODYPUMP, and unless you’ve taken the class, you might not know what the heck I’m talking about.

Today that changes!!

So what is BODYPUMP?

BODYPUMP was originally created by Les Mills 20 years ago and is still going strong.  It’s a full body strength training workout.

Here’s what they have to say from their site:

BODYPUMP™, the original LES MILLS™ barbell class, will sculpt, tone and strengthen your entire body, fast!

Great bodies aren’t born, they are transformed, using the proven BODYPUMP™ formula: THE REP EFFECT™ a breakthrough in resistance workout training. Focusing on low weight loads and high repetition movements, you’ll burn fat, gain strength and quickly produce lean body muscle conditioning.

BODYPUMP™ is one of the world’s fastest ways to get in shape as it challenges all of your major muscle groups while you squat, press, lift and curl.

The cutting-edge BODYPUMP™ choreography, and chart-topping music is refreshed every three months, so with your choice of weight and highly-trained instructors you can get the group effect and the results you’ve been looking for!

Like it says above, low weights, high reps, but what’s amazing is the strength you gain allows you to up your weight and continue challenging yourself.

Since BODYPUMP is a choreographed workout, you can expect the same format where ever you take a class. The variety comes from the release that’s being taught, or multiple released mixed together.

What’s the release?

Four times a year a new BODYPUMP release is created. That means all new music and all new choreography. While the same general exercises may stay the same, the number of reps and tempo change, which is what makes BODYPUMP unique.

Format of a class

Every BODYPUMP class follows the same format:

1. warm up
2. squats
3. chest
4. back
5. triceps
6. biceps
7. lunges
8. shoulders
9. abs
10. cool down and stretch

Like I said above, depending on which release is being taught or combo of releases you can have a totally unique and different class every time. No getting bored that way and you’re always changing and challenging your body!

Some things to note

Tempo is a HUGE factor in the workout. It’s what makes you challenge your muscles so much, along with weights.

Some common tempos:

• 1/1: single count reps up and down
• 2/2: 2 counts down, 2 counts up
• 1/3: 1 count down, 3 counts up
• 3/1: 3 counts down, 1 count up
• 1/1/2: 1 count down, hold a count, then up 2 counts
• 4/4: super slow 4 counts up and down

You don’t need to understand how to count the beats to take the class, but learning that a 3/1 means down slow-up fast can help with following along. Or just copy what the instructor is doing! The more classes you take the easier it is to pick up on.

I only just started teaching BODYPUMP back in November but already love it. I also love-love-love hearing about how great it makes members feel.  Seeing their smiles (smiling through pain!) during the workouts is awesome too. It’s been a huge hit at our gym and continues to be requested.

Exciting news

To become a certified instructor after you go through the weekend training, you submit a video of you teaching an entire class to see if you’re got the stuff – spot on choreography, good form, correct cueing and things like that.  I found out last week that I passed and am now certified!!!  Such a HUGE relief!

Read more about BODYPUMP

• BODYPUMP launch 80
• BODYPUMP launch 79
• BODYPUMP weekend training

Please let me know if you have any other questions about BODYPUMP!  I’d love to answer them and share more about it!

Have you taken BODYPUMP before, or would you want to?  Loved it, hated it, wasn’t sure about it?  Please share!!

Heather