[scrpmtl23]

Is anyone familiar with the Les Mills classes?

I just attended a Body Pump class at one of the local Gold's Gyms in hopes of being an instructor. Seems like a good opportunity but the training and certification process seems a bit rigorous.

I'm trying to figure out if the time and money investment is worth the experience and potential income. The group fitness manager said she would put me on as a sub immediately after I finished the training but wouldn't get a set class schedule until a spot opened.

Thanks guys.

[muscletrainerdh-NSCA CPT]

scrpmtl23,

I went through two weekends of Body Pump training with Les Mills about 5 years ago when it was new.

RIGOROUS is an UNDERSTATEMENT. I believe their motto is "LEAD BY EXAMPLE" which means the instructor must use weight that would seem impressive to the participants.

The focus of the training is to build your muscular endurance so it is go-go-go. Not your typical group exercise training. The training consists of setting up 6 or 7 stations and spending 90 seconds to 120 seconds at each station just pumping out reps of the movement. OUCH!

Not to scare you off, they are the best classes to teach and the music is PHENOMINAL. BUT the training is very very intense and you will be completely exhausted after it. Of course that was 5 years ago, so not sure if they have adjusted it or not.

I'd say go for it, but be prepared to work and sweat!

,


Dave

[scrpmtl23]

Yeah, Body Pump is very different than the way I normally train. I am used to working in the 6-10 rep range and sometimes lower. Doing squats for 5 minutes straight is pretty intense! I found that out last night. And I consider myself to be in good condition but my muscles are just not accustom to the endurance needed for Body Pump.

The GFM at Gold's said that on the 3rd day of her Body Pump training they had the trainees run 3 miles then go back and do body pump over and over. I will definitely have to train for the training.

The expense is definitely a thought too. $290 for the training cost plus travel and hotel expenses (closest is at least 100 miles away from me) then $45 for the assessment. Then I work as a sub at $18 per class. I'll have to do a lot of subbing to get the benefits.

I'll still probably do it but not until after the new year. That should give me time to prepare anyway.

Thanks for the insight, Dave.

[muscletrainerdh-NSCA CPT]

I guess I was lucky, my employer in DC, L&T Health and Fitness, paid for our training and I unfortunately got sick the 2nd weekend of training so couldn't finish to get my cert.

$18 a class doesn't seem like a lot to me, but that may be the going rate in Upstate NY.

If you do it, good luck.

Where are you in upstate NY? From your handle looks like you're also close to Montreal. I drive that way when I go to montreal. IT's such beautiful country side, especially in the fall.

All the best,

Dave

[scrpmtl23]

If Gold's would pay it would be nice. I'm surprised they don't because they must be in need of a lot of certified instructors to fill the 4 Gold's Gyms in the area and it is a lot to invest to walk away with $18 per class. You think they could pay the instructors more with the membership fees they charge. You do get a free membership but I have a gym I belong to and wouldn't stop going there to go to Golds.

I live just south of Saratoga... on the way to Montreal but not close by any means. The handle is scrap metal... I've used it forever on everything I need a user ID for. It makes things easy; I hate remembering a million log ins!