So I found a new fitness band wagon to jump on, Body Pump.

According to the website description, "BODYPUMP™ is the original barbell class that strengthens your entire body. This 60-minute workout challenges all your major muscle groups by using the best weight-room exercises like squats, presses, lifts and curls."

My first favorite thing that enticed me about it: $8 for a drop-in class (compared to $15 for yoga). Plus you can sign up for a month of unlimited classes for $50. The other classes are Body Combat, Body Step, Yoga Flow, etc.


My sister was in town from Chicago last weekend and was such a great sport by accompanying me to a class on Saturday morning. (Did I say a grrreat sport?) I like to see women taking classes where you get serious about weights and toning and muscles. We are finally moving past the cardio-crazy fervor of step classes and aerobics. I am a big fan of building muscle tone to help you lose weight and stay in shape, moreso than cardio alone. The repeated adage that a pound of muscle burns more calories than a pound of weight is true! Also, you may not lose weight in this class but you will transform your fatty parts to more muscular parts. That creates the illusion of a stronger, slimmer you. The first class was a bit clunky because I wasn't used to it. Like anything, the more you do it, the more smoother it probably seems. You constantly need to change your weights depending on if you are doing squats or bicep curls. Also, I think you'd have to go quite a few times to really figure out the best amount of weights for each specific exercise.

I will definitely be going again!!