Opinions on "Pump" class

[mintmate]

Hi there

Im currently in knee rehab and doin a hardcore physio program for it. Currently doing 3 sets of each weight with 8-10 reps of each one with 1 min rest in between.

I do all my weights by myself or with my physio and was wondering what the deal with pump class is. I see heaps of ladies in it all the time but most seem not to be lifting very much or struggling ( This is just my opinion, im not trying to offend anyone

Is pump class as effective as doing weights alone? or is it the whole training in a group thing thats gets people motivated??

Just curious as to what people think!

Have a lovely day everyone and train hard

[Chillicat]

It's a lot of fun, but you're not going to build good muscles in pump classes. I did them for 8 years - great fun, but ultimately more of a 'toning' type of outcome, rather than muscle building. I got nice wee bits of muscle definition here and there, but because the weights are so light, you never really get any decent size or really good definition. The reason why the weights are so light - well, you try squatting or bench pressing for 5 minutes straight and you'll know why!!

[mintmate]

Thanks Chillicat!

Wow 8 years thats hard out!! :clap:

Yeah im doing lots of strength training to get my bung knee up to strength of my other one. So pump class probably isnt my cup of tea then....

Squats for five minutes ugh lol maybe if i had a lower weight haha 80kg is a bit of a stretch!

[Chillicat]

I don't know how it ended up being a whole 8 years - I just started doing it because it was free at uni, I liked lifting weights and didn't know what to do with myself in the big kid's gym. Before I knew it, 8 years had gone by and it was time to be move on to the grown up gym

[cantygirl]

Hello,

I am a Bodypump Instructor, we are taught that pump is classed as a cardio workout, hence the high repetitions and low barbell weight. It has a place as part of overall crosstraining in conjunction with strength training. I use to only do pump as my strength training until I fell in love with serious weight training, now I find that I am stronger at pump as a result of weight training seriously. Plus its great fun, enjoy.

[Chillicat]

That's true about it being a cardio workout - my heart gets well and truly going, especially after 5 mins of squats followed by a bunch of pressups then 5 mins of bench press!

I try to fit in a class when I can - if I'm lucky enough to get to Friday and have done all my muscles for the week and the DOMS aren't too bad, then I'll do a class. Sadly I haven't done one for a month or so - maybe next week!

[biggurl27]

I get muscles from them, just lop some freekin huge weights on and hey presto :wink:

[Chillicat]

Yeah, that's true. I was doing some cycling yesterday, overlooking a pump class, and there was one girl there who only does classes - pretty much all the lunchtime classes, so about 2 cardio and 3 pump a week, and she had really great arms - nice shoulders and biceps. Makes me wonder what the hell I was doing for 8 years, as my arms are crap Think it might be her lack of body fat compared with mine. Well, I bloody well hope so anyway, or I'm wasting my time :roll:

[VampireChick]

Yeah, that's true. I was doing some cycling yesterday, overlooking a pump class, and there was one girl there who only does classes - pretty much all the lunchtime classes, so about 2 cardio and 3 pump a week, and she had really great arms - nice shoulders and biceps. Makes me wonder what the hell I was doing for 8 years, as my arms are crap Think it might be her lack of body fat compared with mine. Well, I bloody well hope so anyway, or I'm wasting my time :roll:

Your arms are pretty cut CC! You're definitely doing the right thing at the mo.

[Chillicat]

Yeah, that's true. I was doing some cycling yesterday, overlooking a pump class, and there was one girl there who only does classes - pretty much all the lunchtime classes, so about 2 cardio and 3 pump a week, and she had really great arms - nice shoulders and biceps. Makes me wonder what the hell I was doing for 8 years, as my arms are crap Think it might be her lack of body fat compared with mine. Well, I bloody well hope so anyway, or I'm wasting my time :roll:

Your arms are pretty cut CC! You're definitely doing the right thing at the mo.

That's nice of you to say - but this girl's arms were way better, and I was a wee bit miffed she gets them just from pump! Ah well, my mini half cut starts on Monday, so my arms will be stunning for summer, pump or not!

[cantygirl]

There is a girl at my gym who has got the most amazing 6 pack, she doesnt do hardly any cardio or serious weights, I see her from time to time just chucking a few dumbells about, she does 1 class per day. Got to be genetic I think, definately the diet has a big part to play, problem is, I love my food. :grin:

[Chillicat]

problem is, I love my food. :grin:

Yeah, I have that problem too! In the process of working out a food plan for a pre-summer cut, and need to make sure I leave enough calories/fat/carb etc etc spare for a delicious dinner every night, otherwise I just won't stick to it!

[Varven]

I get muscles from them, just lop some freekin huge weights on and hey presto :wink:

Do you slow down on your reps cause you're going heavier than the others, or do you try to yell, scream and explode with your reps too ? (at the least the "pumpies" in my gym seem to!)

[Gym rat]

I use to do pump a few years ago but I now I just do weights instead

[becbec]

There is a girl at my gym who has got the most amazing 6 pack, she doesnt do hardly any cardio or serious weights, I see her from time to time just chucking a few dumbells about, she does 1 class per day. Got to be genetic I think, definately the diet has a big part to play, problem is, I love my food. :grin:

There was one at my gym too, never seen her do any cardio but she was ripped as

[teamfatboy]

One of the class instructors (Spin and Pump) at my gym could get ripped so damn easily, she'd put a "winter coat" on every winter but by Xmas had a six-pack, clearly defined and etched, without fail. That was def genetics - the other men and women she co-taught with didn't fare nearly as well.

But my 2c worth, you get out of it what you put in. When I've got cocky and loaded up the bar, I've done Pump classes that had me and other hard-lifting guys ready to hurl, with the sheer intensity of the workout - and other times, it's been too easy to do what I'm sure a lot of people do, go light, hide down the back and cruise through it without any enduring benefit.

[Chillicat]

One of the class instructors (Spin and Pump) at my gym could get ripped so damn easily, she'd put a "winter coat" on every winter but by Xmas had a six-pack, clearly defined and etched, without fail. That was def genetics - the other men and women she co-taught with didn't fare nearly as well.

Who was that? Juliet?

[teamfatboy]

Got it in one - she was amazing!

[biggurl27]

I get muscles from them, just lop some freekin huge weights on and hey presto :wink:

Do you slow down on your reps cause you're going heavier than the others, or do you try to yell, scream and explode with your reps too ? (at the least the "pumpies" in my gym seem to!)

Arh your back! Just the same as everyone else really, just my weights are heavier than most birds :wink:

[Princesse_de_Cleves]

I would not classify Pump as a pure cardio class - no. Step Attack RPM are cardio classes. Pump, you are working with barbells and plates to put your muscles under tension and send them into overload to get strength gains. Last time i checked this was classified as strength training. Hmmmph.

Yes, the squat track can get your heart rate up to the extent that you are huffy puffy, as well as the back track with the clean and press. Lunges yeah, but you are still doing strength training and that is the basis for it. I mean, you do some strength training in step but the basis is cardio. That guy just seems like a complete ass.

[Chillicat]

That guy just seems like a complete ass.

Huh? What guy is ass? Might be too early in the morning, but I don't get it.