Body pump-questions from a noob

[JustineCase]

So I am clinically obese, but have been following a 800 fast for a couple of weeks coupled with week day swimming which has assisted weight loss, so all good so far.

I want to utilise my gym membership more than swimming and build more muscle tone in my upper body (lose the bingo wings).

Would body pump be the class for me? Is it cardio and weight work or just weight work? I get out of breath and sweat a lot so don’t really fancy leaping around with a barbell in front of strangers, iyswim.

I’m quite conscious of myself so it takes a lot for me to walk into a room full of strangers. So do you gym goers just focus on self and ignore the noobs?

Just weight work,good for toning but quite a lot of faffing changing weights etc! Have you tried kettlebells? Good for bingo wings and also pretty static....

Body pump is brilliant! There's the odd bit of cardio in there depending on the mix the instructor goes for but nothing mad, it's mainly weight work. Start off with light weights to learn the techniques and adjust as you get stronger. Everybody else in the class will be concentrating on themselves and won't be judging, honestly - everyone has had to start somewhere! Arrive to your first class a bit earlier so the instructor can chat to you and help you set up. Warning though - it's addictive, stick at it and you'll really see your body shape change

Thank you both very much for commenting. Particularly with getting there early as I do get a bit anxious about being in front of others. Your comments are both very helpful and I have used kettlebells before so may just add that too :D thank you

Pump is great. I get my hr up quite high in some tracks.

Everyone has been new at some point. We've all been there struggling with the weight changes or skipping reps in chest track hoping the instructor won't see!

Our group of regulars is helpful and will jump over and help with weight changes if a newbie is struggling.

And everyone sweats in pump. If you haven't got drippy elbows in squat track you haven't gone heavy enough!

I agree pump is great, it's a good way to burn calories whilst not just focusing too much on cardio. Keep mixing it up, try kettlebells as well. As others have said, everyone in the class is at different stages so use different weights. I went low this morning as I have a sore left shoulder and right knee.

Good luck and good on you for trying something different 😀
I too am obese and I started similar to you, mid January with my first body combat class one Saturday. I now do 1 pump, 2 combat, 2 HIIT classes, 1 or 2 swims and 1 or 2 runs a week. Saturday mornings I do 2.5hrs - 3 classes in a row. Never ever thought I'd manage that. I have such a long way to go but I'm so so much fitter.

It's very intense but try combat too, it's very cathartic 😀😀

Pump is great, I can't be doing with leaping around and I love it. Just follow the instructor and listen to their advice and you'll be fine.

Some of the tracks like squat and lunges will get your heart rate up, but they space them out so you get more sedentary ones like chest in between to recover.

I started pump years ago when I was pretty overweight and very unfit. I'm now 3 stone lighter and a regular in the weights room at the gym - and I still hate leaping around!

Also, you'll be aching and it'll feel really hard at first but it gets easier the more often you go. I LOVE body pump. Good luck with it. It's the one that made the biggest difference to my body shape, especially my waist.

That’s great! So long as people I don’t think will laugh at me for sweating or taking a break then that’s fine. I shall book a class with all your encouragement :)

Do it, we've all taken breaks and dripped sweat all over the floor!

Body Pump made a nice change for me as there is no leaping around whatsoever. And you can do half the reps with the lightest weights and nobody will notice or care. I love body pump -I try to go 3 times a week. It is hard work but fun, and there is no other class that would get me out of bed at 6am.

And don't be afraid to not even put any weights on the bar. I've done that in the past

Start off with light weights (your instructor will guide you) and you'll be fine. It's an excellent all over workout and you will continue to burn calories after the class.

Another one here shouting "go for it!"

I loved bodypump from the 1st class I did. Great that there's no leaping around and everyone going left while I'm going right You are in charge of what weight you use and you can take breaks and miss a few reps when you need to.
It's also been the class that has toned me up the most.
Tempting to try and hide away in the corner of the room but try and position yourself so that you have a good view of the instructor. I found it useful to watch the videos on tips and techniques on the Les Mills website.

I’m a bit late to the party but just wanted to join in and say I love body pump! I’ve been going twice a week for about three months and have changed the shapes of my shoulders, arms and legs. Like other posters have said, others in the class are so helpful, especially with new members (and not in a patronising way, either).
The beauty of body pump is that you can start with very light weights and adapt accordingly. Also, I know I’m too busy to focus on what I’m doing to have a nosey at what everyone else is doing so definitely don’t worry about that!
Go for it - you can do it!

I'm an instructor - bodypump will be great for you! I would also recommend that you show up early and tell the instructor that you are new, they will then help you to set everything up. First class might be a little confusing, don't get scared. If it's a full 55 min class, it always follows the same pattern - warm up, squats, chest, back, triceps, biceps, lunges,shoulders, abs, cooldown.
There is no jumping and the most movement you do in the current release is some backwards lunges. Absolutely fine to take breaks whenever you need them.