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Original poster

Bodypump

43 replies

milkysmum · 26/02/2022 09:52

Went to my first bodypump class yesterday. For those that attend- how long to get the hang of this? I have very poor upper body strength so just kept the lowest weight on for the whole class- and I struggled a bit to to the overhead presses with that on for the zillion reps they do!
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?
I did like the class ( sore arms and thighs this morning- but in a good way) - it just seemed way quicker than doing weights in the gym and I felt a bit uncoordinated with the whole thing.

OP posts:

emmathedilemma · 01/03/2022 14:13

Go in the gym and play around with the weights to work out what suits you best then start by doing fewer reps and sets to help you build up.

Fallstar · 01/03/2022 14:43

You will get used to the moves - it can take a little while but everyone's been a beginner.

A tip I was given with getting weights off the bar was to hold it vertically, with the bottom clip resting on the ground, then pull the red release tabs upwards. The weights will just fall out onto the floor. Flip the bar over and do the same with the other side. Much easier!

Allaboutyou222 · 03/03/2022 06:11

@Fallstar

You will get used to the moves - it can take a little while but everyone's been a beginner.

Keep your foot out of the way though…. I learned a lesson doing that!

Good luck OP. Stick with it. BP is addictive! I have been going a year and do 3 classes a week. I don’t go heavy but have slowly built up the weights. It has changed my body shape and I’m so much stronger.

Original poster

milkysmum · 05/03/2022 08:32

Off to second bodypump today, dragging a friend along with me. Have booked a yoga class afterwards too.
I feel nervous again now I'm remembering how tricky it was to keep up with the class but need to avoid the urge to cancel as aware it will get easier once I've been a few more times!

OP posts:

FourEyesGood · 05/03/2022 14:12

How did it go, @milkysmum? And how was it doing yoga afterwards? (I’m always really tired after Body Pump - not sure I’d be up for doing another class for the rest of the day!)

HermioneWeasley · 05/03/2022 14:35

Hope you enjoyed it today @milkysmum

Original poster

milkysmum · 05/03/2022 16:15

Yeah I enjoyed it. Was hard though and I really struggled with the over head press even with a low weight.
Yoga straight after was fine, definitely harder than it is usually, but doable and I feel my muscle will thank me tomorrow for the extra stretching!?

OP posts:

CecilyTheWake · 05/03/2022 16:35

@milkysmum

Yeah I enjoyed it. Was hard though and I really struggled with the over head press even with a low weight. Yoga straight after was fine, definitely harder than it is usually, but doable and I feel my muscle will thank me tomorrow for the extra stretching!?

Is it a series of clean and press followed by three power press?

With clean and press, a lot of people either bend their knees at the wrong time or swing the bar out as they lift it. You want to use the knee bend to power the upward press. Also, keep the bar close to your body - the change from lift to push should be kind of rotating your grip by pushing your elbows forward.

I just read that back and it’s hard to understand so I found a video:

We have a really good instructor who comes round checking people’s form but a lot don’t so it important to make sure you’re doing it right.

HermioneWeasley · 05/03/2022 17:44

Oh yes, you have to recruit your legs for the three in a row power presses. When my instructor started teaching a release with them in I just looked at her like “you gotta be kidding me”. Now I can do them all and I’ve recently add one kg either side, so you will get strong quickly.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 05/03/2022 17:55

I've been doing pump for years and sometimes struggle when there's a lot of power presses. I'll switch the bar out for a 5kg plate when it feels too much.

It definitely comes with time. It took me ages to work out the running order, now its second nature.

You can always use the bar with no weights for the lighter weight tracks whilst you get used to the movement.

Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 05/03/2022 18:03

I love bodypump. I now have 2.5kg each side of the bar for the warmup and triceps/ biceps, 5kg each side for squats, 3kg each side for chest track and 3kg each side for back track. I was lifting slightly more but getting covid knocked me back a few weeks and I had to go to lighter weights.

Listen to your body. Stick with low weights fir a few weeks then gradually increase your back track and squat track weights. These are big muscle groups so the easiest to increase first. If it's hurting stop, check your form and decrease weights.

I've never thought of having 2 bars on the go but that's a good idea. If you tip the smart bar upside down and release the red clips the plates fall off with gravity.

Weights are awesome. I did 60 mins cardio today which I enjoyed but tomorrow I'm doing bodypump. Lifting gives me a different feeling- its great being strong. Never do pump classes 2 days in a row.

Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 05/03/2022 18:03

I still don't like overheads 😄

Allaboutyou222 · 05/03/2022 20:30

I love clean and press. Makes me feel like an Olympic weight lifter 😆

HunterHearstHelmsley · 06/03/2022 08:58

I meant to say...

Body Pump is low weight, high rep. There is zero shame in having a low weight.. It is what you are supposed to do!

My weights (all each end)
Warm up - 3.75kg
Squats- 8.75kg
Chest - 5kg
Back- 6.25kg
Triceps- 4kg
Biceps - 3.75kg
Lunges - 6.25kg
Shoulders - 3.75kg

That's after years. There is no need to go heavy.

Allaboutyou222 · 06/03/2022 14:36

Seconded. I have done weights and can lift heavy. This is shorter reps and test between. Body Pump has no rest. You have to be able to keep your form. Use a challenging weight but not too much.

I always see blokes start body pump with massive weights on the bar. By the end of the reps they are on verge of collapse!

Onewildandpreciouslife · 06/03/2022 14:52

I love body pump. Am just getting back into it after a few years off - it takes time to get used to switching weights etc but it’s worth sticking with it.

Body pump and Pilates go really well together - they’re both all about the technique, and you'll get much more out of body pump if you focus on keeping your core strong

Original poster

milkysmum · 06/03/2022 17:59

That's good to hear about bodypump and Pilates going well together- I love Pilates and am trying to do 2 or 3 Pilates classes a week.
It's honestly that over head press that's killing me but hopefully in a few more weeks I'll have it nailed!

OP posts:

KatharinaRosalie · 06/03/2022 21:52

You can always swap the power press for regular clean and press - dead row combo when you're exhausted.

I often have that type of men - it's always men - coming to the class for the first time. Of course I explain the high rep concept and that it's different and they should start with low weights. 9 time out of 10, they look at me like 'Ah what do you know', load the bar up and die in about a minute into the squat track. I am always impressed when they come back next time though.

But saying that - obviously you'll never put 100's of pounds on the bar in Bodypump, but you will see the best and fastest results when you challenge and push yourself and are exhausted at the end of each track.

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