Barbell class or lifting heavy

50andfabu

I have been going to a one hour barbell class at my gym. It's a good workout. We do a lot of movements with a barbell and hand weights but and not really heavy weights. The idea is a lot of reps, lower weight. The problem is I have to arrive at the gym for a certain time and I do find it a bit boring.

Or, I can go when I prefer and do a routine where I do fewer reps (still 3 sets of 8-10) with heavy weights (as heavy as I can mange for 8-10 reps).

Which do you think is better? (For me any exercise is good exercise, but if one had to make a choice...)

slinke2014

Are you talking about a Bodypump type class? I quickly got bored with that too and didn't get the results I wanted. I switched back to my old fav free weights and was much happier. Similar moves but with good heavy weights and lower reps.

rhyolite_

If the class is boring, then you're more likely to follow through with your second option. I personally would want to go on my own time and do my own routine with heavy weights.

VegasFit

I am a fan of group classes but what you are describing sounds more like a cardio class, which is fine, but if I had to choose I would a weight routine. And you said the time is hindering your schedule so it probably makes more sense to go at your convenience.

Ready2Rock206

If the class is boring then do the heavy weights.

For me I know I'd get better results if I forced myself into a heavy weight routine but I really love my Boot Camp and Kickboxing classes. I need to get the discipline and get back to spending a few hours a day in the gym to do both and working in some cardio, but I've been slacking.

AsISmile

What is your goal?
Barbell classes focus more on muscle endurance.
Most free weight programs focus on strength gains.

The class in a way is also cardio, so it combines some muscle training with training your cardiovascular system.
The other has a focus on increasing the strenght (and/or size) of muscles only.

I don't think one is better than the other. Do the one you enjoy or better matches your goals.

_Bropollo_

Depends on what you want really. You are likely going to burn more calories in a class setting with lots of reps and such, which would be good for fat loss. You can do that outside of a class too, but some people need that kind of structure.

If you want strength gains and to build muscle tone, you need to lift weights that are challenging to your muscles; a strength program with progressive overload, where you add either more reps or more weight for each lift. In general, you will want to spend the majority of your time doing compound barbell movements (in a power rack or half rack with J-hooks for safety, of course), n. They are the most efficient use of your time in the gym. StrongLifts 5x5 or StrongCurves are both good options for beginners if you haven't done heavy lifting with an Oly bar before.