Body Pump Strength Training

zozzabubba
zozzabubba Posts: 137 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hey everyone, so I know that we're meant to be doing strength training as well as just cardio, but I'm the kinda person who only really works out properly in a class environment. This is fine for cardio because there are a gazillion options (my fav are zumba and body combat), but what I'm wondering is, is doing body pump as my only form of strength training enough?
I do it for an hour each time, 3 or 4 classes a week, and for my weights I usually do (please don't mock me, I know it's not much - only been at it a few months)
Squats: 27 lbs (gonna try for 31 next time)
Chest/Back: 23 lbs (chest gonna up to 27 next time)
Triceps/Biceps: 13 lbs (triceps gonna try for 17 next time)

So, do I need to add more strength training? Like higher weights, lower reps? Or is the low weight, high rep style of body pump ok?

Replies

  • phlower
    phlower Posts: 103
    That's more strength than I do, and after 7 months I feel super strong. i don't know why anyone would mock you for taking care of yourself :) i think what you're doing is fine, as long as you keep getting stronger and seeing results. You're taking rest days, which is crucial. If, in a few months, your results stall or you get bored, you can change it up if you want. Until then, I say keep doing what you're doing.
  • imogen11
    imogen11 Posts: 15
    Personally, I find I definitely see better results and develop strength faster when I combine pump classes with a weight session or two on the gym floor. I think the lower weight, higher repetition nature of pump classes needs to be combined with some additional work that combines lower repetitions with much higher weights. My understanding is that these two types of lifting ustilise muscles differently. Perhaps somebody else can give a little more insight into how this works. I also think it is easy to get a little complacent in pump and to lift the same weights for prolonged periods, which isn't going to get you anywhere very fast. I also found that my dodgy knees were much happier when I dropped three pump classes per week to two and replaced it with a session on the gym floor. I did this on the advice of a personal trainer and haven't looked back.

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