JUNE 2006: Getting pumped

New social workout 'body pump' gains popularity (and muscle) across area

Chrissy Egeler is ready to pump you up. All you have to do is come to her class at the Jackson YMCA, pick out a set of weights and be ready for 50 minutes of an intense, weight-resistance training class. It's called Body Pump, and it's proving to be a big draw in mid-Michigan, and across the nation.

"This is a class you should do no more than three times a week, every other day," Egeler said. "It is a class that is good for beginners, for people who don't know how to go into a weight room and how to properly use the free weights. It is better than machines, because you are using your own resistance, you are controlling the bar. You are in control of all the movements."

Participants in the class pick out weights and a spot in the studio room, then wait for the music to start. That's when the fun begins. Participants start with a warm up, then squats, chest, back and hamstrings, triceps, biceps, lunges, and shoulders. Abs are saved for last and used as a cool down.

"We move rather quick to keep the heart rate up, so you are getting some cardio, but mainly weight resistance, lots of repetitions to work on toning and strength," Egeler said. "Some students worry they might bulk up if they are lifting weights, but we do a lot of toning, so you are building more bone density and muscle mass."

Body Pump is a Les Mills program, based in New Zealand. Other popular programs within the Les Mills family include: Body Step, Body Combat, Body Jam and Body Flow.
They are all structured the same: There are ten tracks, and he program is choreographed to the music. These workouts are tested by doctors to make sure all the movements are safe, Egeler said.

"It is all about maintaining your form, maintaining your strength, being powerful, and working with the bar instead of letting the bar override you," she said. "The biggest thing that I like is that the body pump can be for anybody. My mom, she is 53, my step dad is 60, and they both come."

We've got young kids in high school, training for sports, training for high school soccer. We try to get some of the teens in here, even as we keep the older people coming in."

The program is so popular in New Zealand (classes typically feature 200 participants) that Egeler believes it's the way of the future. Group fitness is usually more social, recreational and a great workout.

"I think the Body Pump is probably one of the most popular classes we have here," she said. "Both men and women participate in it, although currently more women are enrolled. I would just recommend that, if you are new, don't be afraid to talk to the instructor. Instructors will usually notice new class members, and will give you a little orientation before the class. Talk to people taking the class before you join, so you have an idea of what to expect."

And what can you expect?

"Realize that you will be sore after the first class, and you have to work through it," she said. "It is all about challenging yourself. Think strong and powerful, mentally and physically. It's a tough class, but it's fun. Just come if you want to work out hard, and use proper form, and learn how to use weights."