The Bodypump Fitness Craze: What is it and is it Right for You?
August 28, 2012 12:14 pm
If you’ve been hearing the buzz lately about a popular new exercise trend called Bodypump, you’re probably curious to know what it entails. Read on to learn about the essentials of Bodypump so that you can decide whether or not it’s a good fit for you:
Overview of Bodypump
Bodypump is an exercise method invented by Les Mills, one of the leading fitness companies in the industry. It is a barbell-based class that emphasizes a combination of cardio work and weight lifting, designed to sculpt, tone, and strengthen your entire body. Les Mills promotes Bodypump as one of the fastest ways to get in shape because it challenges all of your major muscle groups through movements like presses, squats, and lifts. Many gyms offer the class with certified Bodypump instructors and it has become a phenomenally popular fitness trend all over the country.
The Rep Effect
One of the distinctive features of Bodypump is what Les Mills calls “The Rep Effect.” The Rep Effect is a method of resistance training that places a focus on low weight loads and high repetition movements. These kinds of reps are designed to maximize an exerciser’s success with burning fat, gaining strength, and rapidly building lean muscle mass. Since lean muscle mass burns calories, proponents of Bodypump tout its ability to transform your body into a lean and fat-burning machine by helping to replace your body fat with calorie-burning muscle.
Bodypump Class
A typical Bodypump class features an instructor specifically trained in the Bodypump methods. He or she leads the class through a series of specific exercises and choreographed movements designed to hit all the body parts in a highly effective sequence. The class is accompanied by a playlist of chart-topping music that is kept constantly fresh based on what’s hot on the radio at the moment. The classes are usually large but not overwhelmingly so, and they are an ideal forum for you if derive motivation, inspiration, and energy from working out with a group of people. In a typical Bodypump class, you’ll perform 70-100 reps per body part for a total of up to 800 reps in one workout session.
Additional Benefits of Bodypump
If you’re concerned about building bulk through weight lifting, Bodypump is a great option because the low-weight-high-rep approach will allow you to tone without adding significantly visible mass. It is also a good option for you if you’re looking for a low-impact form of exercise that will not put a significant amount of pressure on your joints. Bodypump has been designed to protect your bones and joints from injury. The class emphasizes proper form and posture so that you don’t tax your knees, shoulders, or other vulnerable areas.
Other Bodypump Options
If you don’t think you’ll be able to commit to a full fifty-five minute class multiple times a week, many gyms also offer a 45-minute class that omits two of the smaller muscle groups (biceps and triceps) but still makes sure to include all of the major muscle groups throughout the class session. There has also been an upsurge in Bodypump Express Classes overseas and the trend has starting coming over here. The express version is a 30-minute long class that omits the biceps, triceps, and cool down session. Les Mills also has an at-home exercise DVD in the works that will soon be available for people who would rather do Bodypump at home than in a class setting.
Category: Lifestyle Tags: Bodypump, Exercise, Fitness, Health
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