A new report about Body Pump

[Justitia]

Having done Body Pump for a couple of years and pretty intensively this late summer and fall, I became a little discouraged because I felt that it was not working out certain aspects of my body and it seemed like I wasn't building a lot of muscle mass.

So during the past month I have been looking at and considering a variety of different weight lifting programs and I think I am settling on one. But my motivation to go to Body Pump dropped off as a result. I also got into a pretty bad SADS syndrome -- see posts here, which pretty much wiped out my motivation to work out and eat clean.

Well I got a new light box for the SADS (see the aforementioned post) and almost immediately, I felt energized to go back to the gym for cardio and Wednesday (2 days ago) I went to my first Body Pump class in a month.

Well, whatever I felt were Body Pump's limitations, there is no question in my mind now that it increases muscle mass as well as strength. As I posted in my on-line journal, I saw how flabby my body had become in a few short weeks (which happens fast when you're older) and I saw how my strength had diminshed.

I also have moved back into size 12's even though my weight really didn't change--so that indicates a definite reversal in my body composition. Before I stopped I had gotten into my first size 8 jeans in 30 years.

And I have been soooo sore over the last 2 days.

Well I am glad I am back working out, my ice cream and cravings have dropped off and I will probably be starting a new program next week.

But Body Pump is a great workout for women. I definitely encourage people try it. I am just hoping that my new program will have room for it. (I am working with someone on a food and training program --but we won't start until next week.)

My observations over two years lead me to question whether Body Pump is what men reallywant or like. They are always trying to use way too high weights for a high rep routine. I am always scared they are going to injure themselves. And they never seem to stay in the class for very long, a few months at most.

But I would love to hear of any men who are doing Body Pump and what they like about it.

Happy Holiday's to all!