You can achieve your fitness goals!
For many, the thought of braving a LesMills BODYPUMPTM class is pretty intimidating. Between the weights, the astonishingly in-shape attendees and the high energy demands of the class, it is easy to see why someone might be a little timid. Not knowing what to expect when you walk in can further add to these anxieties. At the Y, we want all of our members to feel confident and excited to achieve their fitness goals; this is why you need to know what you can expect after you step into a BodyPump class.
The first thing that you will need to do when entering a BodyPump class is to get together your materials. In most rooms, everything you need is either on one of the ends of the room, or in a closet. You will need to grab a barbell, weighed plates for the barbell (a set of 2.5’s, 5’s and 10’s, at least), a set of dumbbells (around 5 pounds), a bench and a mat to place on top of the bench. If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask the instructor or someone else in the class. Just like everything else at the Y, a BodyPump class is full of welcoming and friendly individuals.
Once you have gathered everything you will need for the class, it is time to set up. Pick a spot in the room where you feel comfortable. That might be in the back where no one can see you, or in the front, where you can clearly hear the instructor. Wherever makes you feel the most at ease is the best place to be.
Once you’ve chosen your spot, now it is time to set up your barbell. Throughout the class, the weight on your barbell will fluctuate. The first thing that you do in a BodyPump class is the warm up track; here you will be using your lowest weight. For most people, this means using a 5 pound plate on either side of your barbell, or possibly a 5 pound plate in conjunction with a 2.5 pound plate on each side. As you transition between tracks, your instructor will tell you how much weight to add on or how much to take off.
Throughout the duration of the class, you go through a squat track, a chest track, a back track, a bicep track, a lunge track, a shoulder track, an ab track and of course, a cool down track. Don’t worry, if that sounds like a little bit too much for you, LesMills offers a “smart start” option, meaning that those who are newer to BodyPump can leave the class after the back track.
BodyPump is a great way for people to build strength, get lean and toned and to work out all of their major muscle groups. If you have ever found yourself with reservations about whether or not BodyPump is for you, give it a try! All of the instructors and the rest of your YMCA family is ready to welcome you with open arms and do what they can to help you reach your fitness goals.
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