Les Mills PUMP Review
Les Mills Pump Review — Get ready for a rocking time!
Les Mills Pump is a BLAST! I really love this workout, and I couldn’t wait to write a Les Mills Pump review for y’all. This is one of the funnest workouts I’ve ever done.
I got Les Mills Pump for myself and my wife, and we have gone through all of the workouts that come in both the Pump Base Kit as well as the Deluxe bonus workouts from the Bonus kit. And I want to give you my Les Mills Pump Review!
Les Mills Pump Review — overview
I was really impressed with the quality of these workouts. The shorter workouts (which they have you start off with during the first month) come off as being too easy for me. The moves are good compound moves that burn a lot of calories, but it’s a bit short for my liking (the first few workouts are in the 30 minute range).
Les Mills Pump Review — It really ramps up!
The Month 2 and 3 workouts are awesome though! There are 3 lift circuits that are all between 45 min and 55 min, and they worked me over! I loved it. As I write this Les Mills Pump Review, I’ve got to say, these long, intense workouts are my favorite of the whole kit. They will rock you!
My wife, who has been doing Chalean Extreme for nearly a year now, has really fallen in love with Pump as well. I didn’t think she could ever love a workout as much as she’s loved Chalean Extreme, but this is her new favorite.
Les Mills Pump Review — What makes it so fun?
We like the non-stop exercising at a high intensity. We also enjoy the atmosphere (fun songs from the 80′s, 90′s and lively trainers who take turns leading the exercises so that you see constant variety). If you like working out to a cast of beautiful people with Australian accents and high energy music, I can’t think of anything better than Pump :-). PUMP will definitely make you WANT to push play!
Les Mills Pump Review — The Workouts
Most Pump workouts are resistance based. With the deluxe kit, you get 2 cardio workouts and a plyo step. The “Step” cardio workout was really good (I burned over 700 cals in just 30 minutes!). The “Combat” was more like a Kenpo-type workout, and I’m not a big fan of kenpo style workouts so I didn’t enjoy that one as much. The abs/core workout is also fair in my opinion. I prefer some of the other ab workouts I’ve done. The money workouts in this program (in my opinion) are the longer lift workouts (3 of them) and the step cardio workout.
Les Mills Pump Review — Using it with Insanity
Where I see a real sweet spot for Pump in your workout lineup is to use in a hybrid with Insanity. Insanity has the most intense cardio workouts on DVD, but it’s missing resistance training. Pump gives you the resistance training, but it’s “Insanity-style” resistance with no breaks, tons of reps, and tons of calorie burn. You can do the straight 90 day Pump calendar, but I suspect most people will want to use it in a hybrid with a cardio program like Insanity or Turbo Fire.
Les Mills Pump Review — Very adaptable to your fitness level
Pump is highly adaptable to your fitness level. A newbie can spend time with the shorter workouts and get their fitness level up, burn calories, and have a blast. Those who are already in good shape can move to the longer workouts and really push themselves. Since it’s a barbell / weight based workout, you can make it as hard as you want by adding weight to the exercises. I could literally do this workout next to my mom (who’s 66) and we could both get an awesome workout at the same time simply by the amount of resistance we are using to do the exercises. That’s a really cool feature of this program.
Les Mills Pump Review — The Equipment / Weights
When my wife and I workout together, I let her have the nice set of weights that came with the Pump kit, and I use an old metal curl bar that we had in the attic. The amount of weights that come with the kit are plenty for all the exercises she does.
For me, I add some extra weight. I’d recommend to anyone wanting to get an extra set of weights, or some heavier plates to add resistance, to look on Craig’s list or go to their sporting goods store. I have found that with a curl bar, some 20# plates and 10# plates, I can get all the workout I can handle. The Pump kit doesn’t come with 20# plates of it’s own, but those big strong guys who want the extra weight can get some plates to add to their set. They are standard 1″ diameter (not the Olympic size 2″ diameter).
Les Mills Pump Review — The “Rep Effect”
Pump is a great new program. With the “Rep Effect” of using weights at super high repetitions, you will not only burn a ton of calories and melt fat in a hurry, but you will strengthen and tone your muscles so that you get that ripped look you want, and not just get smaller like you would with an all-cardio program.
Learn more about the kit options and specifics here = LES MILLS PUMP
I hope this Les Mills PUMP Review was helpful. Now get out there and get that body you’ve always wanted. And have fun doing it!
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Mikkel, LMP is great for toning. I don't know what you have been reading, but I would not recommend it for adding mass. LMP has some really cool total body workouts and it is a lot of fun to workout with a barbell.
Merry Christmas coach. Question, I am thinking about doing a LM Pump/P90x or X2 hybrid starting in 2103. I know you have all your hybrids posted, but I was hoping for some direction on how to appropriately structure a hybrid. And, maybe a thought on which X you would blend it with if you we're doing one? I want to do Pump workouts but can't imagine 3 months without X style workouts. Thanks in advance and happy new year.
Ryan, with LMP workouts being total body you will want to just watch your recovery time between lift days. One way would be to do P90X lift days on Monday and Wednesday, and do a LMP lift day on Friday. Then use the LMP cardio days for Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday (Step, Combat, or Sports Attack). Or, you could do 2 LMP lift days and only 1 P90X lift day if you prefer. Or, you could use the Plyo X for one of your cardio days. Lots of choices!
CW, I have a question if you don't mind answering. Do you think it's okay to do Les Mills PUMP as my Recovery Week from heavy lifts? Maybe I should carry lighter during that week or something?
Shaun, LMP could be a good recovery week. Go light and also do some foam rolling or yoga.
Les Mills Combat, is that another cardio dvd? What about more workouts with the weights like a body pump 2? Also I was hoping you could tell me a little bit more about CE, what kind of results did your wife see, you mentioned that she bought the base kit first, then the deluxe kit(just the extra 7 dvds or the whole thing again?) I have turbofire but honestly I think its for someone who is trying to lose some serious weight(NOT ME) its a good program, just not for my goals.
MP, Les Mills Combat will be an entire program based around MMA style training. Looks very engaging and intense. Chalean Extreme is great. If you like Chalene as a trainer in TF, you'll love her in CE. It is challenging weight training, much like P90X (just no pull ups). Those who have CE can't say enough good about it!
Hi Wayne, Do you have before and after pictures of this program? Do you know if BB will be coming out with more Les Mills workouts? Thank you
MP, I have never completed the program in its entirety. I have used its workouts in other programs. They are great total body workouts. The new Les Mills Combat will be coming out in December (for Christmas). Pre-order should be this Fall.
Hello Coach Wayne, Thank you for the quick and informative reply. It does seem like it will be a great program for me. Thanks for the clarification on building muscle vs toning and definition. I am a female, so I think the toning and definition is more of what I want. Thanks again.
Glad to help! I think you'll love it!
Hi there, just a few questions about Les Mills Pump if you didn't mind. 1. I am looking for a good strength training program that will help me in toning my body (specifically upper body). I just won't seem to be motivated by the P90X weight program but love any type of cardio - I've done Insanity and Asylum. I do understand I need some specific weight training in addition to cardio. Would you recommend this program for building muscle and toning? And if so, which of the packages would you order, as there are some different DVD's included in each. I would be doing the hybrid - 2/3 times a week with the other days being intense cardio. 2. The reviews on beachbody are great with the exception of the plates only having 2 openings vs the 3 that are in the videos. Some said it was next to impossible to do the plate only exercises. Did you/your wife find this to be true? If it is, I figure it is better to buy the weights on my own. 3. If I did buy the weights with the DVD's, will other generic plates fit on this bar or would I need to buy another one? Did you find the quality to be good for you and your wife or do you think it is better to invest more money and buy an short olympic bar and plates? I appreciate any advice you can offer....Thanks
Hey Challenge, good questions. Like I've told others regarding Pump, it's a great, fun program. It's not a mass building program. You won't "build muscle" (which you asked), but you will get stronger, more toned, and more defined. I'd recommend you get the deluxe kit because it comes with the step which is very handy on many of the workouts, as well as some extra workouts (the step workout is really cool). The plates do have just 2 openings. It hasn't even been a consideration for me. The moves don't seem to be hindered at all by the placement of the openings (that seems very random that someone would blame the openings on making moves difficult LOL). Any 1" plates will fit this system (just look for 1" as opposed to the large 2" olympic plates). Hope that helps!
How much muscle shrinkage would I see if I finish up a major mass building round of P-90X and then hit this for the cut and tone. I would like to rip away a little extra fat gained during the mass building round without loosing too much muscle mass after puttng so much work into gaining it.
None Biblemonkey. You won't build mass with Pump, but you won't lose mass either. You'll tone and tighten, shed fat, but retain all your muscle.
Thanks CW I know u have no idea what I have what I was wondering do u think the step is worth the extra cash or stick with the base kit. Is the extra disks, weights & step worth the money?
I really like the Step workout and the Core workout. You can get your own weights so that's not a huge factor. In fact, I've even done the whole workout with my Bowflex dumbbells for variety and it works just fine.
Hay CW I was thinking of getting this one as a change from p90x2 and was wanting to know if the step that comes with the ultimate kit is worth all the extra $ or would any step do? I have one but by the looks of the one that comes with the ultimate set mine may be a little small.
I have the Pump step and I really like it, but I have no idea how it compares to the one you have. You'll have to decide that based on whether yours will hold up to the moves or not. It may be just fine, or it may be inferior.
Would this workout be good for size. Ive done x and insanity and hybrid. And now i wanna try and get alittle bigger. What do u think
Hey Stetson, Pump is not designed for size. I'd recommend doing X2 if you would like something new to help you build muscle mass. Pump burns a ton of calories and helps you get lean strong muscle, but not size.
Hey Coach...I was wondering...your nutrition guidelines that you followed for your 1st round of P90X...I know you recommend it for P90X and Insanity. Would it also work good with a program such as Les Mills Pump? Since this program uses different techniques like the "rep effect" and such, I didnt know if your guideline would be enough to fuel the body doing LMP. Thanks in advance. Angel
Hey Angel, good question. Yes, I'd advise the exact same diet for Pump as I would for X, X2, or Insanity.
I'd love to see a X2 / Asylum / Pump hybrid! Looking forward to it coach!
wow I literally just watched the infomercial and thought how sweet it would be to do a less mills pump/insanity hybrid after I'm done with P90X2! Are you going to come up with a hybrid schedule for it? Thanks
Hey Jared, after I finish X2 I will most likely do either an X2 / Asylum hybrid or an X2 / Asylum / Pump hybrid. But I'm sure I will develop some other hybrids for those wishing to do X2 with Insanity or Pump with Insanity.
Coach, Since the workouts in the first month are short would you recommend someone in good shape start out with the 2nd months workouts?
Yes Corey, I definitely would.
Coach, Any word on if Beachbody will be selling the bar and weights separately, so two people could work out together?
Hey Chris, they aren't selling additional sets of the weights right now, but like I talked about in the review, you'd be better off buying additional weights from a local sporting goods store or Craig's List because the shipping charges on the weights is expensive.
Great review Their accents are from New Zealand. :-)
hey coach wayne unfortunately i missed 3 days during p90x this week . i was really sick. im on phase 2 should i keep going or start over? also i did cheat on those days and didnt eat much calories
Don't start all over Gustavo. Just pick up where you left off and give it your all!
This sounds just like the body pump classes at Golds Gym that I used to take bfote I started p90x. I wonder if anyone else ha that perspective Becquerel if it is, then it is an amazing workout that actually combines cardio type "muscle burn" with weight training muscle fatigue and those became my favorite gym days. I can't wait to try it. Since I just started round 2 of p90x...would you think it a good replacement for one of he lifting routines in p90x? If so, which one could I replace?
Hey Will, what's up buddy! Yes it is basically a home version of the Body Pump classes that are at many gyms. You can use it to develop a hybrid if you'd like, mixing it in with the P90X lift days. The first one I'd sub for is Legs and Back since it never changes throughout the whole 90 days.
I have done the pump as well and burn about 800-900 calories in 30 minutes
man this review just made me want to get it now. thanks for in depth detail and the tips coach. will probably get this before summer
Great review Coach ! You mention going out and getting a curl bar and more weight. Do you mean an actual EZ Curl bar (W shaped) ? Just wondering if you are confirming that it would work ok for the Pump moves and that a straight bar is not required ?
Yes Tom, the bar I'm using for myself is the curved shape EZ Curl bar. A straight bar would be more ideal, but I'm having no problems using that.
I am SOOOO excited! I will be in the U.S. next week and I went ahead and gave Pump to myself for Valentine's Day! I LOVED the classes when I lived in the US, so I can't wait to get this home, extra bagagge fees notwithstanding!
Awesome review Coach! I look forward to trying this in the figure. ;)
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hi coach wayne i have searched the internet of other guys doing LMP or body pump classes in general to see theire opinnion on it how a guy can benefit from it but all i am seing to get is men who is all about getting the apearance of the hulk and i just want the lean physique with a little abs i have done beast and asylum 1 and 2 p90x will pump still benefit me and what can i expect i know nutrition is the most cruciel part of my results.
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