New friend, new workout!
Kate (who I hung out with on Saturday and is proving herself to be a very fun person) invited me to join her and her roomie for a free Body Pump class at their gym. I’ve heard of Body Pump from Tina, but have never tried a class-style strength program and was very curious.
I was also a little nervous! I am always intimidated by strength training, although I know I shouldn’t be. And I’m doubly intimidated by classes (except spin) because I am extremely uncoordinated in general. So I recalled all my “How to Get Over Workout Embarrassment” tips and got down to business.
Body Pump was VERY fun and VERY challenging! I wish the music was louder, though. I’m not sure if it was just because it was my first time, but it kept me interested throughout the one-hour synchronized weight-lifting class. I played it safe and used very light weights and BOY was I feeling it! I am definitely going to be sore tomorrow.
However, it would never replace good old cardio. I barely broke a sweat (although my muscles were screaming). But it could be a really great workout addition!
Pre-workout snack was an apple with Barney Butter:
Post-workout dinner:
A tortilla with spinach, kidney beans, and a black bean dip.
Blue corn chips!
And an endive salad with Athenos feta and balsamic. I have only eaten endive in restaurants before, and it was so good to eat it at home! 
Off to play with Kath and Diana! They are coming over for So You Think You Can Dance. I love that show, although my favorite (Alex) was eliminated due to injury. We’re drinking vino!
Have you tried Body Pump? What did you think?
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I feel like the whole blog world does Body Pump classes! I have to find one offered near me…my gym doesn’t do it. Glad to hear you liked it though. I will for sure try it out one day soon!
Have fun watching SYTYCD! I know I will!
YOur dinner looks good…I like my wraps.
Have a fun night with the ladies. Trying new workouts is always fun and so good for the body and mind.
Alex was awesome, but I love Lauren & Kent!!
I don’t belong to a gym but it’s classes like Body Pump that really make me want to! Looks like you’re having a fun day
I love Body Pump! I’ll get on a kick where I go 3 times a week but then stop for a while. That first time back gets me every time! Soo sore the next day. The worst part? Sitting on the toilet! Haha. You’re right about the music too, it keeps it interesting.
love that my sister is proving to be fun
haha! glad you had a good class!
cant wait to meet you!
No, I haven’t myself but I have seen it at my gym and it looks “intense”! =)
I found Body Pump towards the end of my first trimester (I’m now in my third). I’ve been going twice a week (and doing other classes/cardio) since then and I love it! I did P90X last summer and had really slacked on my strength training since then. I have to say that seeing my pregnant self in the mirror doing these exercises (with lighter weights and modifications for the flat on the back portions) makes me feel so strong! I plan to keep going until it doesn’t feel good anymore…and then resume post-pregnancy!
(AND…I love So You Think You Can Dance! Alex was my favorite and there really isn’t anyone I’m terribly excited about now that he is out.)
There was a woman in her 3rd trimester in our class! Was that you?
Nope…I live in VA!
I did body pump when I lived in Australia, and loved it! I stuck to it 2-3 times a week, and totally credit it with reshaping my body and helping me loose 40+ lbs. I miss it – there isn’t one anywhere near me now. And I’m jealous that you hardly broke a sweat. I would come out drenched…
Well I was using super light weights!
Very smart of you. I do believe I couldn’t walk for a week after my first class…
I am SO intimidated by classes as well! I’m always afraid I’m make a fool of myself, even though I know I need to get over my fear because I’m missing out on a world of workouts!
I hear talking about body pump everywhere .. what IS IT??
A bootcamp of some sorts?
loooove interval/weight training classes! I agree – I hardly ever break a sweat, but man am I sore the next day!
Glad you have a new friend!
I LOVE BodyPump! I’ve been going two or three times a week consistently since December and have seen a HUGE change in my body. I can see muscles all over that I had never seen before and I think it’s really helped my overall fitness. And my arms look awesome now – thanks to BodyPump. It’s a great addition to my workout regimen – I do 4 days a week of cardio and then the 2 or 3 days of bodypump.
I have not tried body pump, but I do 30 min cardio and 30 min muscle toning 5 days a week. I swear, it is the best I have ever felt. I love the feeling cardio gives me and the strength I feel from toning!
I recently tried body pump…you can see a little excerpt of my experience on my page.
it was….an experience!
“Sore Abs and Bruised Ego”
http://jannaskeepingitreal.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/sore-abs-and-bruised-ego/
The first time I did Body Pump, I didn’t sweat either and felt like it wasn’t a “real” work out, but I talked to the teacher after and she said my weights were wayyyy too light. Now that I have heavied up, I love it! I feel so hardcore, especially when I see my bicep track face in the mirror.
I’ve been lurking for some time but I had to comment on this
. I actually teach Bodypump so I love reading reviews on it. I obviously love the workout, music, etc.
Anyway, glad you tried it and liked it. I’m also super soaked afterwards but I’m usually talking/yelling/motivating throughout! Hope you try it again!
I love body pump! I was always just a runner and never gave strength training a second thought but this summer I have been going 2-3 times a week and it’s been great! Such fun to have a new challenge
hey hey – I know that Kate!
(and I get to see her in a week and a half!!!) yay for new friends and body pump!!!
How do you know her??
I’ve done a couple of Pump classes and really enjoyed them – but I’m the type of person that likes having a gym buddy to go with! I haven’t lived in my town all that long and don’t really have many close friends that I could drag along to the gym with me…I think I’ll have to read over your getting over workout embarrassment post too, because that’s the main thing that puts me off going – I’m afraid to look silly!
I’ve done Body Pump & I enjoy it! I just hate the time my gym offers the class.
i’ve been reading about body pump in a lot of blogs lately. i don’t think my gym offers it. i’m so terrified of classes…i only go to yoga and i hide in the back! hahaha.
Love SYTYCD
oh i am TERRIFIED of group exercise classes. i have zero coordination… it’s pretty scary. good for you for trying something new!
I have heard of body pump but never done it. sounds fun!
Glad to hear you liked BodyPump!! I was skeptical about it for awhile, but now that I teach it I love it! I blast my music during class.
And either I’m a sweaty mess or it’s the nerves from teaching (or maybe all the extra energy from talking/shouting?), but I’m a drenched mess when I’m done. lol! Smart to start off with the lighter weights though so you don’t pull anything or are too sore to want to come back! Hope you try it again sometime!
I tried it for the first time on my lunch break on Monday. I’m still sore! I’ll be going again tomorrow night though – it pushed me harder than I would push myself in strength training. I kinda love it
KATE!! so crazy seeing college friends on the food blog that i read every day. shes the cutest. you met a good friend, caitlin
aww so fun!!!
I have never tried Body Pump. I swear it doesn’t exist on the West Coast!! Tina makes it sounds so so so fun and challenging – that Tina is buff, too! Enjoy SYTYCD! I can’t believe there’s been 3 injuries in a row =[
body pump woo! hillary: body pump does exist on the west coast, it’s just a rare and hard to find beast, like a hippogriff : ) for example, a martial arts studio i live right by (on the central california coast) has body pump.
I do a similar class, Group Power, and I LOVE it! I wake up the next morning very sore, but I’ve got buns (and biceps) of steel.
I just started Group Power a few weeks ago. My gym only offers it once a week during a time I can make, though.
Love, love, love Body Pump! It is pretty much the only reason I have a gym membership right now. Up the weight and you’ll really be sweating
I have gone through phases with body pump. I will do it regularly for a while – then get a little bored / platuea – then go back after a while!
Is Body Pump a specific type of class or is it just what most strength classes are all? I used to go to strength classes ALL the time, but started to bulk up (my body type is just a bit stockier), so I cut back. I love doing pushups and yoga, but I don’t know when I’ll go back to classes. Maybe I’ll just do one a week…I could always use a little extra help pumping up my booty!
I think its a specific style but I’m not sure… Anyone know?
In Australia most pump classes are Les Mills classes, so its a set routine to music and you work all the major muscle groups. I didn’t benefit much when I was losing weight but love it for maintenance…great for toning!
its specific. google body pump and you will see it is put on by les mills with certified body pump instructors and all…
I did body pump for about a year and eventually could easily lift a lot, but I had the same experience as the poster above–I bulked up and put on about 7 lbs of muscle, which was not my goal (body fat dropped some, but I didn’t like the overall look.) Definitely good to start small. Now I totally change my entire routine every 6-8 weeks and use 5-12 lb. free weights, and look more like I want to. However, it is also my body type that contributed to this!
It is a specific brand of strength class. Les Mills creates it and trains the instructors to their specific way of doing things. However, it’s basically the same as any other strength class, or like Body Works at Gold’s Gym if you have ever been to that.
I love body pump, I was addicted for a few months doing 3-4 classes a week. I love strength training and I find my body benefits more from lifting heavier weights, less high reps, which is what pump is…ALOT of reps, lunge tracks feel like an eternity don’t they? I also find myself wanting to correct peoples technique, I cringe watching people squat incorrectly with those weights on their necks! I now pump once a fortnight, just to shock my muscles, as an extra to my routine workout.
How did you know I was bringing vino!? You’re psychic! lol Alex was my favorite too! So sad he’s gone! I hope he tries out again next year!
I’ve never tried Body Pump and I’ve been wondering what the heck it was. I’m going to join a gym this week, hopefully they have it!
yummy eats
I would love to try body pump at some point. ST in genera isn’t very motivating for me. I want the muscles without the work. But I do like classes, so maybe it would be a good option in the future (if I ever have access to a gym again?).
I had never even heard of it until recently, but none of the gyms around me offer it!
I found a localish blogger who goes to Body Pump and I want to join her for a class since I hear how awesome it is.
so happy you tried body pump. i strongly encourage you to keep going. the first few times are always a bit awkward. once you start really lifting you WILL break a great sweat!
i miss alex…sytycd is seriously hurting w.o him. and now billy is injured too!? just awful. if kent gets hurt i’m never watching again. i heart kent. hope you and the ladies enjoyed your vino and tube time!
I LOVE Body Pump!!! I would never do weights on my own, but I can happily do Body Pump a few times a week. I especially like how I can see concrete evidence of getting stronger and stronger as I can now do way more weight than when I started. I do almost always combine it with a cardio workout the same day. Not a sweaty workout (though the squats with 38 lbs of weight definitely cause me to break a sweat during that track) but great for your muscles. I hope you get to do it again sometime.
I’m always a bit intimidated trying a new class alone at the gym! I wish we had body pump here – it sounds like a lot of fun. Love the idea for a kidney bean & spinach wrap, I have some that need to be used up!
Your lunch! So much volume! I love it!
I wish I had a Body Pump near me. Sigh. Someday!
I too love Body Pump!!! My other favs are Body Combat, Body Attack and RPM. All Les Mills classes. Check and see if she has these at her gym too!! I always combine one of these cardio classes with Pump! And I did Combat and Pump on the day I delivered my baby, and went back already because I love the classes! (He is 2 weeks old!) Keep going- you will be addicted!!!
mmm im loving that bean wrap! your wraps are always so deliciously made!!
i would love to try a body pump class! theres so many fun names to them too that make u wanna move hehe. love a good shock to the system
xoxo
i’ve never tried body pump but i’ve heard great things about it! i love strength training in general though…once you finally gain the strength it’s hard to do anything else!
Body Pump. Well I’ve heard a lot about it from Tina, obviously, but I guess another blogger has tried it
I find that doing strength really tires me out, and my heart rate goes up just as fast! Like the strength segments in 30 day shred – man, my heart was beating just as fast, and I considered the cardio segments MORE relaxing!
Wei-Wei
I’ve never tried BodyPump, I typically stick to cardio group fitness classes. It’s funny to me that you’re intimidated by classes except for spin… I’m exactly the opposite. I have no idea why, but spin intimidates me
I’ve never tried Body Pump, but I’d love to – if only the gymwasn’t 12miles away!
I tried body pump last year and I must have looked ridiculous… as a petite, 28 yr old who looks about 16 (so people keep telling me!) who was trying to lift weights… and struggling. I quite enjoyed it but I have never ached so much in my life afterwards! Each muscle hurt for about a week after. I’m def not hardcore enough for it.
Body Pump is just one of several styles offered by instructors who have been speecially trained by Les Mills. They also have Body Combat, Body Flow and RPM (Spin)
I have tried them all except for Body Flow (which is yoga-ish) — I love Body Pump for the way it does strength training SIMPLE. That is a WHOLE BODY workout no question. I love how they change up the music (new releases of the class every 2 months or so) but the instructor definitely makes/breaks the class anyway.
The hardest thing I think is to know when to change your weights – including increasing them after a while to make sure you continue to get the benefits.
It is not meant to replace cardio — no strength training plan is, and this is why strength training ends up neglected by most people who prefer that cardio sweat! (I am totally guilty of this too!)
Body Pump is awesome. And you don’t need to sweat to do strenght training, but once you put up your weights you probably will. (I do, but I sweat easily.. yuck). I find it hard to motivate myself to do strength training, but in a class you have to do it and you train all muscles in 1 hour! Perfect! And in my class the music is always loud, so maybe you can ask the instructor to turn it up a little?
Thanks for the link on how to get over workout embarassment, the timing couldn’t have been better for me! =D
youre welcome!
I still prefer weight training on my own (because lifting is my favorite thing to do), but Bodypump classes have been wonderful to me while pregnant and trying to take things easier on my body. The higher reps make me not lift too heavy to accommodate my body’s needs, BUT still give me an amazing challenge. I always feel so good leaving and like I got a great workout. I bet you will be sweatier once those weights start going up, up, up!
You always talk about how much you hate weight training and I was actually going to suggest this class to you! I love it! I go 2-3 times a week (I was inspired by Tina). It’s changed my body completely. I’m skipping a few classes this week because of an injury and I think I’m going through body pump withdrawal!
I LOVE body pump! I miss it so much – I had to take a break from it because I discovered it didn’t get along so well with marathon training. I used to go at least twice a week though and felt it made a big difference in my stregnth. I also hate stregnth training so having a class to motivate me was perfect. I agree that it isn’t really getting in any cardio, as the class claims to. I would usually warm up on the elliptical or something before class to break a little sweat.
I put off doing body pump for 2 years because I was afraid of the weights… that and the fast pace in a foreign language. Once I finally got over my fears, I was hooked. Body Pump is one of my favorite classes now. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
No Body Pump for me. My coordination is severely lacking so I try to stay away from group classes.
So glad you got to experience Pump – it’s definitely a great strength training workout.
Lately I’ve given running the backseat and have taken on some of the other group fitness classes from Les Mills. You should check out others like Body Attack, Body Combat, Body Flow (tai chi, yoga, pilates fusion), and RPM (spinning class). They are all great cardio workouts and they definitely don’t seem like they last an hour because you’re having way too much fun!
I have been a Body Pump instructor for 2 years, it changed my body and the entire Les Mills philosophy changed the way I teach all my classes!
24 hour fitness doesn’t have body pump, but they have something very similar called 24 lift. I go once a week. I like it a lot, but if I don’t have enough weight on my bar it doesn’t do enough for me–obviously. I tend to be a wimp about what I can actually do as far as the weights go.
I did Body Pump a few times, but didn’t like it all that much. I much prefer strength training to muscular endurance…plus the instructor was a douchebag.
Do you have access to BodyCombat? I LOVED that class so much. It takes a few classes to get the hang of the moves, but once you do it’s so worth it.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of BodyCombat but it sounds fun!
Body Combat is awesome! If you like that, you should def try Body Attack! Whoah! Talk about intense cardio! 800-1000 calorie burner.
I love Body Pump! It’s my favorite Les Mills class. I need to find a gym with their classes in Columbus! I loved the SYTYCD pictures on Kath’s blog
I like body pump but it definitely is an addition to my workouts not my sole workout.
I always feel intimidated by strength training as well. Strange, but true. Although lately I’ve been doin it outdoors on my deck and enjoying it, so maybe I’ll sign up for a bodypump class once fall rolls around. It’s fun to try new things!
I love Body Pump! Once you increase your weights, you will definitely sweat!
I like Body Pump, but it’s very easy to get tired of it. Unfortunately I don’t belong to a gym anymore (just the one I personal train at – and it doesn’t have classes) so I can’t take it at all anymore. It was pretty fun though.
Glad to see you’re meeting new friends in your new town
I love Body Pump! It’s such a great class. It’s a really great way for people like us, who don’t like strength training, to get it into our lives within a fun, controlled setting. I also found that it really helped with my running & kept me injury free!
I love body pump! It pushes me more than I would push myself in the gym. And I sweat a TON
Yessss! So glad you tried Body Pump! I think it’s great and I’ve commented before that it’s the only strength training I can bring myself to do. I would never stay in the gym doing weights for an hour but the music and other people get me through no problem! I am returning to it just now after a looong hiatus and it’s killing me – I did it monday and only today (thursday) and I over the soreness and ready to exercise again! Ha.
Question: how many times a week do you think you have to do BP to reap benefits?
i only go twice a week, max, and i am feeling stronger without being constantly sore. you could even go three times/week if you want, but i think it depends on the other types of exercise you like to do!
I’ve heard 2 – 3 times a week.
Body Pump is not reccomended more than 3 days a week and that’s w/a rest day in between. Need to give your muscled time to heal before tearing them down again. But, it is so addicting, many people can’t help but go more than 3 days a week! lol
Thanks guys! I think twice a week is good for me to aim for. Bring on the guns! Ha.
I love body pump! I went three times a week when I lost about 40 pounds five years ago. I miss it but I cannot find a class that is convenient for me now. My favorite used to be the squat track!
definitely try Body Pump a second time!!!…i was a little lukewarm about it after the first time i went, but once i started going on a semi-regular basis, i saw quick changes in my strength (not so much in my muscle tone). its weird. i can tell that i’m stronger but i still look sleek and don’t feel all ‘bulky’ like some of the above commenters said. women don’t have enough testosterone to actually get ‘bulky’ but thats another story…i digress…
It’s always good to try a new workout to mix things up a bit! Your wraps are always too neat and perfect!
I am a Body Pump fanatic!! Before finding BP, I never really enjoyed strength training but loved the results. Body Pump is a fun way to get it in and my arm muscles are insane from just going 1 or 2 times a week
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Don’t be afraid of strength training! I rediscovered lifting this year and it is amazing. I LOVE how strong I am now and how much strong I will keep getting, it’s awesome. I’ve never done Body Pump, but I do lifting 3 days/week, running (I’m still at pretty short distances since I just got back into it) 4-6 days/week, and low impact cardio sessions 2 days/week.
I love Body Works! I try and do it twice a week. I am not sure how you didn’t sweat, everyone is a mess when we are done with class.
I really want to try Body Pump–I’m so disappointed my gym doesn’t have it and I keep hoping that changes soon! I’m incorporating more strength training into my life and it has done nothing but good things. I still prefer cardio but I can’t deny the benefits of strength!
I noticed you’re getting super creative with all the feta salads–love this endive one
Sick of feta yet?
Never!! LOL
You already look stronger
I love BodyPump! My apartment building has a free gym, but I joined a gym just because I missed pump 
It keeps me motivated!
I’ve never tried Body Pump because I’m really intimidated by classes too. Plus I don’t know if I could last a whole hour doing weights!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Body Pump, it does hurt but it is so much fun and the results after a few weeks is so worth it!
I did Body Pump when I was a YMCA gym member a few years ago. I really liked it. Like you, I hate strength training- it doesnt give me the cardio endorphins- yet I believe everything i’ve read about why strength training is so important.
Body Pump was a good way for me to make sure I get the strength training in and don’t skip out. The class itself pushed me (use more weight, use better form) whereas I wouldn’t push myself at home alone or on the gym machines.
In fact this post is making me think of rejoining the Y just for Body Pump!
So I go to HW and I’m dyyying to try BP but but I’m always so nervous to go by myself!!
email Tina at carrotsncake and see when she’s going next!! LOL
Glad you enjoyed Body Pump! I love it so much, I became a Body Pump instructor! Be careful though…It’s addicting. hehe. Hope you weren’t too sore the next day. Happy Pumping!
We have a class at my gym called Power Pump..it sounds similar. I like to do it about 2 times a week and I think I’m more disciplined about working out with weights when I go, as opposed to doing it myself at home. I like it because I try to go up on my weights and challenge myself and I can tell I’m getting stronger. It makes the most difference in my muscle definition and the way my clothes fit too. We have a class also called Cardio sculpt, which I enjoy a bit more becasue it incorporates more weight/cardio intervals which REALLY burns calories!