The best fitness routines generally include a combination of cardio and strength training, but many people aren't sure how to get started with a strength training routine. If you're one of them, it's time to get over your fear of weights! The Mayo Clinic calls strength training "an important part of an overall fitness program" and reports that strength training can help you:
Who wouldn't want all of those benefits? BodyPump classes, developed by fitness guru Les Mills, are a great way to introduce your body to strength training without venturing into that intimidating, barbell section of the gym. Keep reading to find out more about BodyPump and decide whether it's the missing ingredient in your current fitness routine.
BodyPump is a 60-minute exercise class that uses barbells, step platforms, and traditional strength moves like squats, lunges, lifts, and curls to give you a total body workout. Each class is led by an experienced instructor and set to music to keep you moving. Your safety is important to instructors, so you can increase the amount of weight you use as you gain experience. Also, each class begins with a warmup and ends with a cool down and stretching to keep your joints healthy.
The official Les Mills BodyPump site recommends attending class 2 to 3 times a week. After each workout, your muscles need time to recover and rebuild, but regular attendance can lead to the following results:
BodyPump does have an endurance element since you're moving for 60 minutes, but it isn't a heart-pumping cardio workout. A BodyPump instructor told the exercise site The Daily Burn, "[BodyPump] doesn't qualify as a cardio workout. We do get our heart rates up, but it is an endurance strength training workout."
If you want some more inspiration, read BodyPump testimonials on the official site. From losing weight to managing type 2 diabetes, BodyPump has helped regular people reach their exercise and health goals.
If you're not sure whether or not to give BodyPump a try, take a moment to consider your exercise style and fitness goals. BodyPump could make sense if you:
On the other hand, you may not consider BodyPump a fun fitness routine if you:
Of course, the best way to know whether BodyPump is for you is to give it a try. BodyPump classes are held in gyms around the country, so check with your local sports club or the BodyPump Web site to find a class near you. You can also preview BodyPump moves online to get a feel for the exercises.
Whether BodyPump is right for you or not, keep breaking a sweat and hitting the gym until you find a fun fitness routine that works for you. If you love to exercise, you'll stick to it and get the results you want!
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