There’s all sorts of trends in the health blogger world–some I care about, others I can let go. (Chia seeds? Meh.)
But there’s one class that bloggers keep talking about that was making me feel a little left out: Body Pump. Sure, Equinox has some pretty awesome classes, but I keep hearing about Body Pump, especially from Tina, who’s obsessed. (I mean, for good reason.)
A couple weeks ago, I decided to make it my mission to track this class down. Liz was down for the challenge, too, and we found it at a Gold’s Gym on 54th Street. A few other Tumblrs were going to come with us, but it ended up being just the two of us last night.
I ran up to the Gold’s to meet Liz, and we were both a little terrified of what to expect. We picked weights conservatively, not wanting to die.
But we both LOVED the class! If you’ve never done Body Pump before, it’s general shtick is this: strength training + music. You take a weight lifting bar and add plates to the end to get to your desired weight. I swear I get exercise amnesia–I’m in such a zone that I can never remember what I did, so what follows may be a little off. You do each set of exercises to a song, and when the song is done, you’re done with that set and move on to the next set.
You’re constantly moving, and it’s really hard, but a really good workout, and one that I would definitely try again. The music is what makes it so awesome. I caught Liz’s eye a few times during the workout, and she looked as weary-but-enjoying it as me.
Have you ever done BodyPump or a class like it? (Other than the music part, it reminds me of Total Body Conditioning at NYSC.) If you live in NYC and go to Equinox, do you know of a similar class there that I should try?
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THANK YOU for being the first person (that I've read) to admit to not liking chia seeds! I guess I shouldn't talk since I've never tried them, but I was starting to wonder when it seemed like every single person was in love with them. That gelatinous texture that they bring is just not something that I think I'd enjoy.
@Kelly: I tried them once and wasn't bowled over. I have nothing against them, I'm just not dying to spend $20 on a bag right now when I can get 2+ glasses of wine for that. :)
i love body pump. primarily because i adore bad pop music and i enjoy the chance to lift weights without being surrounded by douche bags shadowboxing themselves in the mirror in front of the free weights.
@Emily: a That's funny you say that. I was talking to a girlfriend, telling her how I dread lifting free weights with THOSE guys that stand in front of the mirror blockading them. I'm so stoked on body pump.
I am a NYSC member so I wouldn't be interested in Gold's Gym, but would pay by the class to go to Body Pump - do you know if they are membership only or offer packages to just take classes??
@Lindsey: I was just going to ask this! I belonged to this Gold's when I worked by there, but am no longer a member. Hope they have some other option available! Especially because I don't think they'd let me do a "free trial" to a gym I already belonged to.
@Chelsea: Apparently you can do walk-in for $15 a class.
I. Love. Body. Pump.
I'm so glad you got to try it! I love trying new classes that bloggers introduce me to. The only one I haven't *loved* is Barre (in my case, barre54) which I know you like, but I'm not a huge pilates or ballet person, so I think that's why. It was hella hard, I just didn't enjoy it as much as other classes.
@Katy Widrick: I hated Bar Method the first time I tried it, too. I feel like it grows on you.
WHEN you come to NYC, I will take you to [worship at the temple of] Physique!
I love Body Pump! I spent last weekend back home in Illinois and got guest passes to my old gym so I could go to Body Pump every day. I'm still sore -- such a good workout. Wish more gyms in the city offered it!
@Shayne: I know. I'm really bummed Equinox doesn't. I really want to find a similar class.
An answer from an expert! Thanks for cntorbiuitng.
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I've never done a body pump class before but I REALLY want to! I've been trying to incorporate more strength training into my routine so something like that would be perfect!
I have been dying to try Body Pump! At a volunteer event a couple of weeks ago, they had trainers from the Y doing a demonstration and it looked AWESOME!
Awesome!
I've also heard about this and this is just perfect for me. I am also trying to lose some weight and I'm the kind of person who wants to engage in activities that require strength and stamina.
Thanks for sharing!
Body Pump is AWESOME!
Sorry, hit post before I could finish! Body Pump is a great class. I've been going for one year now, and it has significantly improved my muscle tone - especially my arms. Les Mills (the company who created Body Pump) also has other classes, like Body Attack (cardio), Body Combat (kickboxing) Body Step, and RPM (spinning).