Based on the large response to the orientation classes, the program should be very popular, said Kay Yuspeh, owner of the clubs. Yuspeh said she thinks the program will bring more men into group exercise, which has been female-oriented. Like traditional aerobics, BodyPump is choreographed and done to music. Some of the exercises use a plastic step. Participants can vary the weight of the barbell based on individual strength and specific exercise.
Classes start with a warmup and last one hour.
We've actually had a woman who was 85 take classes. Last month, the Wisconsin Athletic Club began offering a similar group strength program called Body Works. The program, which is set to music, uses bars weighing up to 20 pounds, stretching bands, dumbbells weighing up to 10 pounds and fit balls, which are large inflatable plastic balls. The class is offered at W.A.C's Greenfield and West Allis clubs. A recumbent stepping machine with levers that exercise the upper body, NuStep began appearing about four years ago in hospitals for physical therapy or cardiac rehabilitation patients.