BodyPump Misconceptions
Posted on Tuesday 6th May 2008
There are a number of reasons people commonly give when welching out of doing Pump.
- BodyPump makes women bulk up. This is utter rubbish as women only have low levels of testosterone which is the hormone that allows men to build muscle bulk. Instead Pump tends to lower bodyfat levels which makes muscles more conspicious. The low-weight, high-rep combination also tends to result in a higher resting muscle tone which again makes muscles appear leaner and more obvious. The women who enter bodybuilding competitions tend to have a very restrictive diet and lift progressively higher and higher weights to build muscle – very different to Pump.
- BodyPump is only for women. Again not so. The programme was conceived by Mike McSweeney specifically to attract men into group classes, and is still choreographed by a bloke. It provides for a great deal of flexibility in terms of weight lifted and so can be a combination between a cardio and strength-training workout.
- BodyPump is a soft option. Like any exercise regime you will only get out what you put in. Plenty of people turn up and barely break a sweat, but I would challenge any one who thinks they are in good shape to keep up with those of us who push hard. A calorie burn of greater than 700 in one hour is no mean feat and can be achieved.
- Only show-offs stand at the front. The back of a Pump class is usually shoulder-to-shoulder as participants don’t like the idea of being conspicious. Following suit, newbies often don’t want to be stand out or risk embarrasing themselves so pick a position at the back. If anything they should stand nearer the front so they watch themselves in the mirror and develop good technique. I tend to stand at the front so I can make sure my movements have good technique, range and symmetry.
So, as you can see, there is no reason not to get yourself in the studio and give it a go.
Ricky matey, looks as if you have really done your homework as i agree with every single point you have made, you should be working for Les Mills and kicking butts :-)
amin
HAY RICK SOME GOOD POINTS THERE PEOPLE SHOULD CHALLENGE THEMSELEVES BUT DONT YOU ONLY GET WHAT YOU PUT IN