What is your opinion on Les Mills Body Pump?
Thanks for all of your answers. I did go ahead and get certified – I do love the format and the music is very motivating. I am surprised though that you don’t need a Group Ex certification to become certified! I do have that and my Personal Training certification and I have been in the industry for over twenty years but if you just attempt to get certified and don’t have any instructor training and still somehow manage to get certified – now that would be disturbing! I can definitely see how it can get out of hand though if there are a lot of people in class – because as an instructor you are supposed to be demonstrating the workout and watching their form, etc. You are not supposed to go around correcting form as a Body Pump instructor. Hopefully if there is a big class, there is more than one instructor.
i have been to several classes and have had only positive experiences. It is not the best place for a novice participant to start. The music is choreographed and very motivating…good form is crucial! Class size can impact the ability of the instructors to monitor form and I have been in some large classes that I didn’t see any correction given personally but given to the entire group. A facility has to pay a franchise fee each month for each “body” class and each instructor must be trained through body pump. I think it is an exceptional workout especially for those that have hit a plateau.
I believe that it is a licensed product that you must be both certified and licensed to market and use. The program has name recognition, but I’ve never personally used it.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
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I have attended Les Mills Body Pump at a NYC gym, and at fitness conventions. The classes I have seen have paid little or no attention to correct lifting and alignment. (granted it has been at least 2 years since I have taken one). The instructors gave lip service to alignment, but I saw terrible form, (including the instructors), and never saw a correction.
My other problem with the class is it is too hard to challenge the legs (at least for advanced participants),while working upper body. For example, I can handle 20 pounds while doing a front raise, but don’t feel that is enough intensity for me to squat with.
I do believe the classes could be a positive introduction to weight training, but feel more emphasis must be paid to instructor training, and that class sizes should be limited so corrections can be made.