Body Pump: The fusion of functional strength training

Functional training has gained widespread recognition for its ability to improve overall strength, mobility and performance, but this popular discipline isn’t limited to the gym floor functional zone. One popular fitness programme that combines many elements of functional training is Body Pump.

In this article, we’ll explore the concept of functional strength training, delve into the world of Body Pump, highlight its benefits, discuss the required equipment and explain why Body Pump qualifies as functional training.

Understanding functional strength training

Functional strength training focuses on movements that mimic real-life activities and engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. It aims to enhance overall strength, stability and mobility, promoting efficient movement patterns.

Introducing Body Pump

Body Pump is a resistance-based group fitness programme developed by Les Mills, its choreographed workouts set to music for a fun, functional strength training workout.

Body Pump offers numerous benefits including increased muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular fitness, stability, movement efficiency, calorie burn, and the potential for muscle toning and definition. The combination of resistance training and high-repetition exercises challenges the body in a functional way, challenging endurance, improving muscle definition and delivering comprehensive fitness results.

What and where

The main equipment used in Body Pump is a barbell that allows weight plates to be added and removed for different exercises (check out Physical’s RBX Rubber Pump Set) alongside an adjustable step platform and, if needed, a mat. It’s an uncomplicated equipment list that – combined with the fact that Body Pump is a fun and highly effective workout – ensures clubs, gyms and fitness studios around the world consistently include it on their group exercise timetables. (It’s also why many people have the right equipment to be able to do Body Pump at home!)

Why Body Pump is ‘functional’

Body Pump qualifies as functional training due to its emphasis on compound movements that engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, carried out with freeweights and body weight rather than fixed resistance machines. The exercises performed in class – squats and lunges, bicep curls and deadlifts – also mimic natural, functional movements used in everyday activities. It really is the perfect group functional strength training workout!