What is BODYPUMP?

What is BODYPUMP?

The Les Mills BODYPUMP workout is a fast-paced, total body workout, usually carried out in a class either in person with our experienced instructors or virtually. BODYPUMP is based on the principle of resistance/strength training and uses a barbell with different levels of weights throughout the class. 

Resistance training is any form of exercise where you lift or pull with resistance, it improves your strength and makes everyday tasks easier to perform, and despite what many people think it’s not solely based on lifting very heavy weights. Resistance training, especially in forms such as BODYPUMP, is one of the easiest ways to exercise as it is adaptable to most abilities, ages and strengths.

Discover all you need to know about BODYPUMP in this blog and find your nearest Places Leisure BODYPUMP class.
 

Jump to: 
⦁    What is a BODYPUMP class?
⦁    What do I need for a BODYPUMP class?
⦁    Benefits of BODYPUMP
⦁    What is Les MIlls BODYPUMP™?

What is a BODYPUMP class?

A BODYPUMP class is made up of different workouts timed to multiple music tracks, usually lasting around 50 – 60 minutes. The exercises you are most likely to carry out during a BODYPUMP class include squats, deadlifts, lunges, bicep curls, push-ups, and crunches.
Using the barbell provided as part of the class you are able to add and remove the amount of weights on the barbell to suit your strength and ability. If you are new to the class, our trained BODYPUMP instructors are able to support and guide you on how to safely use the equipment.
Many BODYPUMP classes are carried out in groups with the class being instructed virtually, please check your local Places Leisure centre for further information at that specific location.

What do I need for a BODYPUMP class?

For a BODYPUMP class, we would recommend for you to arrive in stretchy gym clothes that allow for maximum body movement, layers you can add or remove during the class, and wearing comfortable and supportive gym shoes. The rest of the equipment will be provided for in the gym or studio where the class is taking place. 
You will need to make sure you bring plenty of water to the class as it’s going to be a sweaty one, so you’ll need to hydrate throughout.

Do I need to lift heavy weights in a BODYPUMP class?

There’s no minimum weight requirement when you join a BODYPUMP class, the class is built around high repetition training (using lighter weights for more reps). As with any fitness class or strength training activity, your strength and fitness will only improve when you challenge your body. 
It is always best to increase the number of weights you lift slowly and steadily, and seek advice from a member of our gym team or personal trainers when doing so, but if you are taking part in a BODYPUMP class and you’re not getting hot and sweaty after each track, then you probably need to lift a heavier weight.
The most important thing to remember when building body strength and using weights is that technique and correct body form is more important than lifting heavy weights. If you increase your weights but feel your technique isn’t as good as before, you will probably need to reduce the weights back down.

Benefits of BODYPUMP

After committing to a 55-minute class, the main thing we all want to know is what are the benefits of BODYPUMP? As with most resistance training, there are several benefits that you can expect to experience from BODYPUMP.

Improved posture.

BODYPUMP strengthens areas such as your core, back and shoulders providing you with the strength to maintain a good posture, something that is beneficial if you work a desk job or spend a lot of the day sitting or bending over. As well as gaining strength in the back, shoulders and core, a properly guided workout improves your  flexibility, balance, and overall posture, enhancing both physical health and athletic performance. Additionally, when guided to work out with a proper form, that inspiration can rub off into your daily life practice – meaning less slouching!

Increase muscle mass.

The science behind muscle growth is simple, the small strain you put your muscles under during strength training causes micro-tears (they’re painless don’t worry!) in your muscles and as they naturally repair, they become stronger. As you increase weights and reps, your muscles tear more and repair even stronger, creating strong muscle groups and an increase of muscle mass over time. BODYPUMP uses weights with fun motions to add just the right amount of strain and target specific muscle groups.

Relieves aches and pains.

If you’re recovering from a workout, attending a BODYPUMP class might be last on your agenda, but resistance classes such as BODYPUMP can relieve your post-workout pain, known as DOMS. Increasing blood flow within your body significantly supports the repair of muscles within the body, and provides a natural pain reliever, so the more you move post-workout, the more your blood gets pumped around the body.

Improves Mental Health.

When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, the feel-good mood booster naturally made in our bodies. Endorphins are also a natural pain reliever (useful for your post-gym recovery!), with only 20 – 30 minutes of exercise a day or a couple of longer exercise classes a week such as BODYPUMP, you can significantly boost your endorphins release within your body. 

Promotes regular exercise.

Taking part in group workouts tend to be more motivating and you are more likely to complete the workout in comparison to workouts carried out alone. BODYPUMP classes are full of like-minded individuals, who are all there to support one another, and have instructors on hand to offer that extra boost of support. One of the best things about a BODYPUMP class is that no class is the same, each music track and exercise are different, so you won’t get bored, which is a big barrier to continued exercise.

What is Les Mills BODYPUMP™ ?

At Places Leisure, we partner with Les Mills for many of our gym and fitness classes, this means we can give our members the most up-to-date fitness trends and content and tap into a world-class partner for training our gym teams.

The Les Mills BODYPUMP™ classes run alongside our portfolio of Les Mills classes, such as Body Comabt and Body Balance. Many of these are delivered virtually within our studios, and our specially trained Les Mills instructors deliver some. 

Our goal is to give our members access to quality fitness content and expertise, and utilising a mix of virtual and in-person Les Mills BODYPUMP™ classes means our members come back week in and week out.

You can find your nearest Places Leisure centre here, using your postcode or a specific location. The full list of memberships and timetables available at each centre are on the centre homepage.

You can book onto our next BODYBUMP class via our website or on our Places Leisure app.