Bodypump

I'm an instructor. Don't worry about your upper body strength at all - half the people who come to the class can't do a push-up the first time. I couldn't either!

If there's enough equipment for everybody then absolutely take 2 bars and an entire collection of weights. Once you've been a few times, consider also how to make the changes quicker - for example, if you want to do 5 kilos for back but 2.5 for triceps, it's faster to put 2x2.5 kilo plates on the bar and just slide one off, as opposed to removing 5 and adding 2.5.
It's also totally fine to start heavy and swap to lighter weight half time through the track, you don't have to worry that you put too much and then won't be able to finish.

I’ve done pump for a while and do at least two classes per week
Really concentrate in your form - keep at the same weights for a while and low
Key is the timings and the form as that will build your strength
Keep to the front of the class where you can really keep track of the instructor and they can watch your form - This will help you stay injury free
Get your plates next to you for easy changes - I only really changes weights for the back track and chest
I hold a single plate for squats as I have a bad knee
Good luck - it’s a really transformative exercise class

I have done body pump when I was 16, loved it and then got into serious heavy weight lifting. For a bit of rehab after an injury I went to body pump as I had moved out of area and was yet to find another gym. Big mistake. The 'instructor' was so rogue I left half way through. He was rushing through exercises and the amount of poor form I saw from the people in the class was dangerous,especially as he spent more time flexing his own muscles and looking at himself.

Please please pleeaaase do not be put off by the speed the rest of the class goes. They're likely rushing to keep up and have probably never been taught how to do the movements properly. Go at your own pace and don't be too quick to increase your weights! If something hurts, stop x

They're the smart bars by the looks of it. Pull back the red bit until it clicks (I use my thumb to hold it in place) and then slide the plates off. Just slide plates on without touching the red bit

Set up more than one bar with different weight options, that's what I do. I also have loose plates as I often struggle with using a bar for squats as it makes my shoulders hurt so I swap to a loose plate.
Just so what you can, I often do less reps than are being called out because the instructors are young and super fit and I'm 47 and a bit slower! Who cares? I work to my maximum and look to improve my personal best so I don't care what others are doing.

I use the same weight for squats, chest and back (6kg per side). I used to go heavier on squats but have dodgy knees so i go a bit lighter now. Often use plates instead of the bar for biceps and the lunge track.

It also depends what equipment you are using. The Les Mills smart bars make it easy to add and remove weights. If you have different bars with clips or collars then changing weights can take longer

Also I can't imagine being quick enough to change the weights on the bar for the different exercises like people were doing- does that just come with practice?

It all comes with practice! Although even after a long time doing Pump, I am still usually several reps behind when changing plates on the bar. I sometimes wish I could just set up two bars ...

I’m really uncoordinated and I can do body pump - there are a fixed number of moves they just put them together differently for the different releases so once you’ve learned what a dead lift is vs a dead row for example you’ll be fine.

Agree with others saying to stick to low weights while you’re putting it all together. Your strength will build - I started in October 2020 with 2.5kg either side for the back track and did 6kg either side this morning on a track with push presses, which felt like a real achievement.

You get the hang of it, I used to do it years ago. I’m now an overweight 49 year old and just getting back into it.
I’ve bought myself some body pump weights and Lesmills online has an offer on at the moment for first month free and second month £3.90 as I can only make it to 2 gym ones.

Im trying to get fitter in time for a holiday in May.

There are lots of YouTube body pump videos that are free too.

Yes its fine to stick with the same weights until you get the technique/speed of moves. Then you can graduate to sticking a extra plate each side for squats and see how you get on.

When I first started I only did 1 body pump per week. I do 2 now but also do attack and combat and balance to mix up the types of workout

Doing it for years!

Yes keep at it. Stick with the lowest weights and you will build muscle and improve. Many people in the class will have been young for years so don’t be intimidated by what they are doing.

It takes a few sessions to get the hang of it. Don't worry about speed or how heavy the weights are. At this stage, focus on getting the technique right. Then look at speed, then weights.

Does your instructor know you're new? They should be keeping an eye on you and giving you options to make it easier. If you can't manage all the clean & press reps, do as many as you can and then replace them with rows (the move you do in-between clean and press).

Keep at it though. Pump is great!