Pump class regulars-advice please?!

[Paranormalbouquet]

I've recently started going to pump classes. I go to two different classes- I love my weekend one, instructor is great, asks us each to get 2 bars- one light and one heavier, with single weights on the side and gives time to change them up or down. However the time isn't fantastic and interferes with family activities.

So I've started a lunchtime one. I don't find the instructor nearly as motivating and she doesn't like is taking a second bar. So I find the bar is either too light for squats/deadlifts or too heavy for biceps/triceps.

How does everyone else change weights on the bars quickly enough to still do the exercise?!

I've never had 2 bars and just quickly change weights between tracks. Once you get the hang of the bar/ weights it is easy to do in the time you have

We only have single bars in all the classes I go to and that's four different instructors. We wouldn't have room if everyone took in a second bar. Some instructors are a bit quicker at the changeover but if you're not quite ready on time don't stress, just join in when you are. I sometimes stop mid track and change weights! You do get quicker....I struggled so much when I started the instructor used to run over and help me!

Yeah, all the classes I've been to have just had a single bar. You have the extra weights stacked up next to you and clip them on/off between tracks. If you miss the very first bit of the track no worries, just come in when you're ready.

Also helps once you're used to the track schedule - when you know what's coming up and know what weights you want for it, you can start them on as soon as the last track's finished.

Maybe it's just me but I find the clips very fiddly, definitely can't seem to do it quickly. Instructor gets annoyed if you don't get started with her, there's very little break between tracks!

Instructor shouldn't be getting annoyed with you, especially when you're new to the class!

Clips: can you watch what the (presumably speedy?) folk next to you are doing? The plates are fairly fast to go on once you're used to it but it's hard to describe in text. When taking them off I pull the clips back with one hand, slide plate out with the other, & when putting them on don't adjust the clips at all, just slam the plate in far enough for it to click in.

I just switch up/down on the same bar - but as others have said - you get to know the order so will get much quicker as you know what you're doing next.

That's the thing- most people aren't changing their weights at all. I just don't think I'm getting the most out of the lower body work in particular as the weights are too light. With regards to the clips, I have tiny hypermobile hands and definitely need 2 hands to open the clip and slide it off the bar. Might go early and try to practice in advance next time. Either that or rearrange my weekends around the instructor I prefer!

Is it the smart bar with the red clips? I pull the clip back and hold it in place with my thumb so i can slide the weight off. Keep the bar horizontal when adding/removing weights. I have never seen people work with the same weight throughout the class unless they are new

Or do you have separate clips to hold the weight in place?

These are the ones i use

No they are metal clips that slide onto bar, nothing like those. At the weekend class there's lots of weight changing, but not at the lunchtime one.

Like this

I have used them in the past. They were a bit awkward but still managed to change weights

I change weights for nearly every track. Our instructors tend to tell us roughly atvthe start of each track what you should increase your weights by from your warm up weight. So I will double my warm up weight for one track/exercise but triple it for another. I don't think you can have an effective workout if you're not changing weights, newbies excepted. We have the new Les Mills bars like in the photo.

I think the instructor may be the issue. I may see if I can organise to make an evening class with a different one.

The instructor needs to look after her class otherwise she'll lose clients and no clients = no class

I'm a pump instructor. Those clips are the worst, hate them. But yes you absolutely should change weights for each track. If your instructor is not telling people about this, they're not really doing their job properly. And of course you won't get much of a workout if you do it all with the same bar - for example squat should be 3-4 times your warm up weight, not the same. I wouldn't even get warm if I used the same warm up weight throughout the class.

Change your weight, ignore instructor if she gets annoyed - you are the customer. Or what you can do is get those clips instead and take them with you, they are a lot easier to use and should fit a standard old style Bodypump bar: www.amazon.co.uk/Jordan-Fitness-Studio-Barbell-Collars/dp/B01N17CHGY/ref=sr_1_2?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1504815454&sr=1-2&keywords=barbell+clamp+30&tag=mumsnetforum-21