body pump enough?? (help)

beankid
beankid Posts: 91 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I just started exercising a 1.5months ago. I currently do some cardio (elliptical/treadmill/zumba) 6x a week. I also go to body pump class 3x a week to incorporate weights. I want to lose weight and also tone. Should I keep with the body pump or find some other weight lifting routine? Any suggestions or advice?

Replies

  • jennifershoo
    jennifershoo Posts: 3,198 Member
    Keep at it if you like it, but be aware that it's cardio with weight. You can improve your endurance but will probably not make a lot of strength gains like with a heavy lifting program.
  • beankid
    beankid Posts: 91 Member
    My biggest worry is losing weight but not toning. Will body pump do enough to help me tone?
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,061 Member
    Exercise is for fitness and health. "Toning" in the fitness world is basically looking lean with little to no muscle definition. Body pump will build muscle endurance, but "toning" comes down more to your calorie deficit rather than exercise.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • beankid
    beankid Posts: 91 Member
    So what do I need to do so I don't look skinny fat or squishy? What's the terminology?
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,061 Member
    Strength training. Usually entails using resistance on any exercise that's challenging enough that you complete 10 reps or less per set. As you get stronger, you progressively increase the resistance.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • beankid
    beankid Posts: 91 Member
    Currently I own dumbbells and a bench. Will that equipment be enough to strength train? Does body pump qualify as strength training?
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,061 Member
    beankid wrote: »
    Currently I own dumbbells and a bench. Will that equipment be enough to strength train? Does body pump qualify as strength training?
    Do the dumbells progress in weight? Using the same weight over and over again doesn't increase strength, but muscular endurance. And no Body Pump isn't considered strength training but muscular endurance training.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png

  • beankid
    beankid Posts: 91 Member
    I have dumbbells in different weights so yes they can progress.
  • rick_po
    rick_po Posts: 449 Member
    You'll need dumbbells in the 40-50 pound range to do a decent beginner strength program. If you have adjustable dumbbells or a big fixed set, try converting a beginner barbell routine (like Stronglifts 5x5, or all-pro beginner) to dumbbells:

    community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/902569/barbell-routines-when-you-only-have-dumbbells/p1

    If you don't have a full dumbbell set, do a bodyweight strength program, like You Are Your Own Gym, Convict Conditioning, or Body By You.

    Body Pump works as a strength program for untrained newbies for a few months. But over the long haul, it turns into an intense cardio program.
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