Are you wondering if the Les Mills Pump Workout program is right for you? If so, keep reading!
With so many fitness programs on the market today, it’s difficult to know which one to get. As much as we might like to, we can’t buy or try them all.
If the Les Mills Body Pump at-home workout is one you’ve been considering, this review should help you decide whether or not it would be a good purchase.
As well as an overview of the program and the results you can expect, I’ll include a brief overview of what the workouts entail, along with their runtimes.
Why I decided to write this review
I recently caught up with my friend Jenny, whom I hadn’t seen for a few months. As usual, we arranged to meet at the mall.
I was running a bit late, and Jenny is always early, so when I arrived and couldn’t see her, I was relieved to think I hadn’t kept her waiting.
The reality was I hadn’t recognized her from behind, and I’d walked straight past her.
Jenny called out to me, and when I turned around, I was taken aback at her transformation.
The first words out of my mouth were something like, “Oh my gosh – – – what have you been doing? – – – you look amazing!”
I immediately felt terrible, as it sounded like a backhanded compliment, and Jenny has always been pretty fit. But I’d never seen her as trim and toned before.
Table of Contents
Jenny’s Les Mills Body Pump Results
Jenny told me she’d been doing the BeachBody Les Mills Pump Workout for six weeks. In that time, she’d reduced her body fat level by around 3% without dieting.
Jenny said the workouts were challenging, and it had taken her three or four weeks to adjust to the pace and intensity. Now she enjoys them, and it goes without saying that she loves what the program has done for her body and confidence level.
Of course, I’d heard of Les Mills, and coincidentally, I’d come across some Les Mills Pump reviews online a few weeks earlier.
All were positive, so after seeing Jenny’s fantastic results, I decided to take a closer look at the program and write my own Body Pump review, which you can read below.
Who does it suit?
Les Mills Body Pump suits women – or men – who want a workout to tone and strengthen their muscles without making them bulky.
Being able to go at your own pace and progress to the next DVD as your strength and endurance improve, it is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
It’s also a great option for anyone wanting a less-structured workout that will enable them to shed their excess pounds and lower their body fat level.
What is the Les Mills Pump Schedule?
The Body Pump workout is the most flexible of the BeachBody programs, ideal for people who prefer a less rigid exercise routine.
The Les Mills Body Pump schedule consists of tri-weekly workouts, with an additional two to three cardio training sessions recommended.
This could be anything from running, spin cycling, swimming, using a treadmill or elliptical trainer, or doing any other form of aerobic exercise you enjoy.
Les Mills Pump Workout Video Review
My Les Mills Pump Review
Les Mills Pump Workout is a strength training-based exercise program designed to quickly trim excess body fat and create sleek, sculpted muscles.
The combination of light weights and a high number of repetitions is known as the Rep Effect.
The Rep Effect increases the heart rate to burn more calories throughout each session. As a result, you will lose pounds and inches, lower your body fat percentage, and increase your muscle definition faster than you would with the average exercise program.
This very effective workout has been popular worldwide for some years now. And when I say popular, I mean really popular! Over 3 million people attend BeachBody Pump workout classes in 20,000-plus gyms across 80 countries weekly.
By all reports, the classes are fantastic, but not everyone wants to go to a gym or lives near one that offers BeachBody classes. With the Body Pump DVD system now readily available for the home exerciser, that won’t be an issue.
Along with being flexible, with this program, results come quickly. With visible changes evident within 6 to 8 weeks of starting, staying motivated is easy.
Another thing that helps keep motivation high throughout the workouts is the countdown clock which shows how many minutes remain for each session. This may not sound like a big deal, but knowing you have only a short while to go will encourage you to finish the workout if you feel like stopping.
Will I Bulk Up?
Les Mills Pump is the ideal weightlifting workout for women and men who don’t want to develop large muscles.
Unlike some weight training workouts that rely upon heavy weights and a low number of repetitions to get results, the Les Mills Pump workout incorporates comparatively light weights and a high number of repetitions.
Known as the Rep Effect, this style of exercise eliminates the risk of creating too much bulk.
What’s in the Box?
The Body Pump Workout package includes 1 introductory DVD and 7 workout DVDs. There’s a workout guide detailing your fitness schedule. You will receive a nutrition recommendation guide that, when followed, will speed up your results.
Also included is a measuring tape for tracking how many inches you’ve lost. A free online support forum gives you access to expert guidance from fitness trainers and dieticians. It also enables you to connect with others who are undertaking the program.
Additionally, you’ll receive a padded barbell, 2 x 5lb weights, 2 x 10lb weights, and 2 safety clips. If required, you can dismantle the barbell to store it.
*You can buy just the DVDs if you already have a barbell.
The next section of this Les Mills Pump review looks at the workouts.
Body Pump DVD Overview
The Body Pump DVD comprises the following 8 disks:
-
Disk 1 – (Part 1) Basics
Les Mills Pump disk 1, part 1, is entitled Basics.
Of ten minutes duration, it introduces the first three trainers, who take turns relating their workout philosophy and explaining why the program works so well.
You will also find directions for assembling the barbell and instructions for achieving the correct form.
-
Disk 1 – (Part 2) Pump Challenge
Approximately 20 minutes long and based on simple resistance exercises, the setting for Pump is a plush workout studio.
Five new trainers will take you through your paces and teach you the moves and timing to get the most from this session.
This DVD also introduces you to the Body Pump music featured throughout the DVDs. This consists primarily of updated versions of some popular 80s classic hits.
-
Disk 2 – Pump & Burn
With a 30-minute run time, this second workout takes place in front of a live audience.
An excellent calorie-burning session, Pump & Burn focuses on exercising the legs, upper body, back, and abs, providing an all-over body workout.
A different trainer conducts each of the segments.
-
Disk 3 – Pump & Shred
Say “hello” to the Rep Effect in this 45-minute workout that 7 trainers lead.
Heavier weights are used than in the previous exercises to increase strength and endurance. It also involves longer sessions with more repetitions.
-
Disk 4 – Pump Revolution
Set to upbeat music and using strongly defined movements, this 55-minute workout uses light weights and more repetitions for maximum calorie burning. This makes it perfect for sculpting long, lean muscles.
-
Disk 5 – Pump Extreme
58 minutes long, Pump Extreme is a total body workout that will challenge muscles you didn’t even know you had.
-
Disk 6 – Flow
This 20-minute quick-moving session incorporates lots of stretching to elongate the muscles and increase flexibility.
-
Disk 7 – Hardcore Abs
14 minutes in duration, this slow workout targets the muscles in the abdominal region. While the session is brief, you will really feel the burn.
Les Mills Pump Workout Summary
If you’re in the market for a workout that will enable you to strip fat quickly as you build strong, lean, sculpted muscles, Les Mills Body Pump Workout should be on your shortlist.
Workouts utilize light weights and a high number of repetitions, creating what is known as the Rep Effect.
The Rep Effect increases the heart rate to burn more calories throughout each session. As a result, you will lose pounds and inches, lower your body fat percentage, and quickly increase your muscle definition without getting bulky.
Les Mills Body Pump has a high buyer approval rating. However, some purchasers who left feedback complained about the quality of the barbell. If this is an issue for you, you can use another barbell with your Les Mills Pump Workout kit.
To read reviews of other popular fitness programs, click this link.
