BodyPump as weightlifting

WalkingAlong

I'll be honest- I have no idea how heavy lifting is more dull than doing endless useless repetitions that aren't doing anything for you-

I see your point but I think the class is fun for people and it's not doing nothing for them, it's burning calories, using muscles they otherwise don't and like you said, building endurance.

A lot of the people in the class are heavy females or senior females, I think. They feel intimidated enough in a gym without having to research WHAT is most efficient, HOW to lift, how many reps, which lifts, what weights, what progressions, how often, what's safe, what's overkill, etc.

It probably doesn't help that some gyms don't even allow real lifting, much less encourage it.

I'd much rather see women in Body Pump class than in Curves.

Confuzzled4ever

Do what you like.. the benefits are different.. Bodypummp is more inclined for cardio, but if you pile enough weights on you'll get a workout that way too. I do it sometimes just because. I do Zumba because I love to dance and combat because man that is one awesome workout! I also lift heavy 3-4 times a week (meaning I don't always get to 10 reps before my muscles give out) and do a full body workout 3-4 times a week.

I need to make my exercise different to keep me interested otherwise i'll get bored and quit.

But the short answer is no. it's not the same..

If you're just looking to lose the weight, you'll do better with cardio to increase deficit. I'm stuck where i'm at too again, but i'm not worried about it until January.

I see your point but I think the class is fun for people and it's not doing nothing for them, it's burning calories, using muscles they otherwise don't and like you said, building endurance.

A lot of the people in the class are heavy females or senior females, I think. They feel intimidated enough in a gym without having to research WHAT is most efficient, HOW to lift, how many reps, which lifts, what weights, what progressions, how often, what's safe, what's overkill, etc.

It probably doesn't help that some gyms don't even allow real lifting, much less encourage it.

I'd much rather see women in Body Pump class than in Curves.

How is curves not good???? My mother went there for awhile. It helped her tremendously. Got her off the couch, got her moving and got her going to the gym. I'd never advocate it as a forever gym, but it's defiantly a good place to start for some people.

I think the class is fun, and I think it's a way to get in some weight lifting and cardio.. but it doesn't burn all that many calories.. a few hundred.. so it's not really a replacement for cardio or weights. It definitely is good for something different and it motivates you to keep at it for a whole hour. That's probably the class I attend the least, but I do it sometimes and I find it fun. it's also good for those days when I am just lacking motivation to go lift..I go to that, it's not high intensity it gets me moving and I usually end up lifting afterwards. lol

Huffdogg

**MY ACTUAL QUESTION**: Does BodyPump (high-rep, relatively low weight exercises) give my body the same benefits as high-weight, low-rep lifting? I'm thinking bone density and connective tissue strength in particular.

No

WalkingAlong

Curves is fine. But if lifting heavy is a 10 and BP is a 7, I'd give Curves a 3.

I think the class is fun, and I think it's a way to get in some weight lifting and cardio.. but it doesn't burn all that many calories.. a few hundred.. so it's not really a replacement for cardio or weights.

I've worn a HRM in BP and I burn around 400 calories, and that's at my goal weight. Curves is around 200 calories max for most, I think. I don't understand how BP can be 'not really a replacement for cardio or weights'. It's discussed here like it's sitting around discussing exercise or something. I don't even go to it but I feel like I need to defend it. :laugh:

lisakay0x

*Ahem*

I just started doing Body Pump earlier this month - and I'm also someone who has been too terrified to try the bigger free weights/machines in the section of the gym where everyone looks like they know what they're doing.

It's been a great intro to lifting I now know what a deadlift is! And proper form! That's kind of important since I'm an old woman now and worry about throwing out my back.

I've also discovered I'm weak as *kitten* - struggling with the weights they advise us to use in the class.

Great starting place to lifting, IMO

DavPul

^She's an "old woman now". heh

msf74

I'm thinking bone density and connective tissue strength in particular.

Depending on the load and rep range used in your class the answer, for these specific parameters, is....

Yes.

Confuzzled4ever

Curves is fine. But if lifting heavy is a 10 and BP is a 7, I'd give Curves a 3.

I think the class is fun, and I think it's a way to get in some weight lifting and cardio.. but it doesn't burn all that many calories.. a few hundred.. so it's not really a replacement for cardio or weights.

I've worn a HRM in BP and I burn around 400 calories, and that's at my goal weight. Curves is around 200 calories max for most, I think. I don't understand how BP can be 'not really a replacement for cardio or weights'. It's discussed here like it's sitting around discussing exercise or something. I don't even go to it but I feel like I need to defend it. :laugh:

well mine says less then 400 during body pump. I say it's not a replacement because you don't *really* get a cardio workout and you don't get the benefits of heavy lifting. It's not bad class, it has it's place and it's a pretty decent place to start. A lot of people in the classes I go to don't go into the weight room, but want to. But I wouldn't do that class *instead* of lifting or cardio. I might do it because i want something different, or I need a break from heavy lifting.. I usually do it on a "rest" or low intensity day because I get bored with my routines and it shakes it up a bit.

markpmc

Not the same as "lifting heavy" at all.

http://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/pump-fiction

JoRocka

I see your point but I think the class is fun for people and it's not doing nothing for them, it's burning calories, using muscles they otherwise don't and like you said, building endurance.

A lot of the people in the class are heavy females or senior females, I think. They feel intimidated enough in a gym without having to research WHAT is most efficient, HOW to lift, how many reps, which lifts, what weights, what progressions, how often, what's safe, what's overkill, etc.

It probably doesn't help that some gyms don't even allow real lifting, much less encourage it.

I'd much rather see women in Body Pump class than in Curves.

I concur.
it's not NOTHING- it's just not the thing they think it's doing.


I view anyone who does BP about the same level as someone in Curves.

And that's okay- I don't be grudge anyone for that. It works for them- it gets them doing something they like- it gets them off the couch moving- and improving their lives.

But it's not training- it's just a work out. I guess one of the things to always keep in mind some people are not training. they are not trying to get any particular goal/achievement as far as weight lifting- or exercise... their ONLY goal is to not be fat.

Not everyone wants to look a certain way- have a certain low BF% or have significant strength gains- they mostly want to improve their quality of life by not being over weight.

and that is GREAT. It's just something I always have to keep in mind- my goal is not everyone else's goal.

It doesn't mean magically the class is going to do something it won't- which is why I will always say something- but it doesn't make them wrong for wanting to do it.

WalkingAlong

I think the class does provide joint and bone density benefits. Just not the same extent as lifting heavier. One of the studies I linked to earlier said as much. I'd say it's not the gold standard but it's not just something fun to do that is not good for strength, bones or even as cardio.

Everything's a cost/benefit analysis. If I can get 90% of the benefit from an activity that's 100% more enjoyable for me, that would be my clear choice.

JoRocka

I think the class does provide joint and bone density benefits. Just not the same extent as lifting heavier. One of the studies I linked to earlier said as much. I'd say it's not the gold standard but it's not just something fun to do that is not good for strength, bones or even as cardio.

Everything's a cost/benefit analysis. If I can get 90% of the benefit from an activity that's 100% more enjoyable for me, that would be my clear choice.

agreed.

I just think you need to be AWARE that it is only 90% of the benefit- as long as you are making an educated decision- go forth- be fabulous.

I had a lady bragging to me about how strong and whatever she felt with her 5 million squats from body pump and she didn't' want to hear anything about the fact she wasn't building strength but rather endurance. That kind of thing is what frustrates me.