New fitness craze: BodyPump

by Maggie Vink (Subscribe to Maggie Vink's posts)
May 14th 2007 2:00PM

Is it aerobics? Is it weight lifting? No, it's BodyPump™ and it's probably coming to a gym near you. Body Pump is an hour-long, instructor-led repetition resistance training class. Participants use a step platform, a bar, and a set of free weights appropriate for their fitness level. The class is set to music and designed to make resistance training as engaging and fun as aerobics. Using moves like lifts, curls, squats, presses, and abdominal work BodyPump builds lean muscle mass while not adding bulk.

The concept isn't new. BodyPump first appeared in 1991 in Auckland, New Zealand, but is fast becoming a fitness fad in North America. A new class, with music and choreography, is released to participating instructors and fitness clubs every three months. Benefits of the class include burning lots of calories (up to 600 per class), shaping and toning muscles, building bone density, and improving overall strength and fitness.

There are no classes in my state yet, but I'm going to keep checking! Personally, I love aerobics and I think applying a similar concept to resistance training sounds like loads of fun. Check and see if there's a class near you.

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Comments (4)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Raina 5-14-2007 @ 3:30PM

Great post! Resistance training aerobics classes are definitely an excellent addition to any workout plan. They provide motivation and instructor oversight as well as the obvious physical benefits.

One thing to note is that while the trademarked Body Pump class may not be available at your gym, most gyms do have a class like this which goes by a different name (Powerflex at Bally's, Power Strength at Healthworks, etc). It's worth checking with your club to see if they have this format by this or another name.

Maggie 5-14-2007 @ 10:34PM

Thanks for the info, Raina. I'll be sure to check it out!

starwxrwx 5-15-2007 @ 9:17AM

Body Pump is an awesome class - I am a total addict. I do three classes a week and have never felt better!

It is pretty easy to find a class in Australia, I guess since it comes from NZ.

The music is great and once you have been going for a while it is really fun to do tracks from old and new releases mixed together. You get to have your favourites and many instructors here have a great back-dated collection.

You will feel sore after your first few classes but then the fun begins and you can up your weights. Many women tend not to push themselves but I'm telling you it is pretty easy to lift as much as the guys! You don't get bulky easily at all (some ladies with stick legs squat as much as me!) but certainly everyone's body is different.

It is a class unlike any other and the time just flies because you keep switching muscle groups and songs (it also means you don't even feel that tired).

I highly recommend it! In fact I have convinced a number of my friends and family to become regulars too!

Lee 5-17-2007 @ 11:18PM

I have been doing Body Pump in San Diego for 4 1/2 years. I am now 67 yrs. old. I have lost three inches off my waist and added muscle everywhere. I am using more weight than ALL of the young guys who come to the class because I go three times a week consistently. I go ocean kayak fishing for hours and don't get tired. Body Pump is great.