Body Pump with Pedro Pereiros was the perfect choice for a day when I wanted to train hard without high-impact moves. Here’s my quick, honest class review, plus what worked best for my knees.
Quick Verdict
- Intensity (1–10): 6
- Good for: building full-body strength, muscle tone, improving stamina, stress relief, busy people who want an efficient workout, beginners who want a structured class (with lighter weights), intermediate level trainees who want to push heavier
- My after-class mood: very happy
Class Snapshot
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Format: warm-up, full-body barbell tracks, a short core finisher, stretch and cool-down
- Equipment: barbell, weight plates, step platform, towel (optional)
- Instructor style: cheerful and high-energy, very clear cues and careful explanations, motivating and supportive, keeps the room going when it gets tough
- My focus today: train without knee pain
- Injury notes: no knee pain during class
What My Body Pump Class with Pedro Pereiros Really Felt Like
After two weeks I went back to the gym. I must confess I was kind of afraid of doing Les Mills again, but the rain made me do it… and I am so glad, because… no knee pain! 
Today I did Body Pump, with Pedro Pereiros. As usual, he greeted us with his cheerful way, I organized the materials, and we started. As soon as we began the warm-up, I remembered how much I love this class.
The second track (Squats) consolidated that memory. OMG! I LOVE doing this. I used 30kg. Three sets… long and painful… I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it — but I did. And the faces I made… 
quite embarrassing, really… 
On the third track I had an “aha moment”! Pedro brought us the A-Press. By the way—good thing he explained the exercise carefully. It made it so much easier to follow… because in the beginning it looked quite complex.
So, I kept hearing “A-Press” numerous times, but it didn’t click in my brain. Then… taram: I paid attention to the movement and thought: “Ohhhh! That’s why it’s called A-Press—we make an A when we press! Duh!!” Ahhhh… my moments of realization… it took me a while to get there…
I always like the 4th track, and really appreciate the “clean and presses”. I release so much stress there!
Now, today Pedro decided that we would pay for all our sins during the biceps and triceps track. SO MUCH PAIN! Especially the biceps part. I swear: I did not deserve this. I have been a good girl… I think… 
The lunge track was a challenge for me, because I was really careful there, not to feel my knee. But it went fine.
We finished with a great core session and I felt quite proud to reach the end, like a “good girl”. 
What a GREAT class! Pedro was FANTASTIC! He is the King of “Come on” 
. Trust me! It really works. When we are about to give up, he goes: Come on, come on, come on… or in Portuguese (where it actually sounds better)… Vá lá! Vá lá! Vá lá! — Helps you stick until the end! 
I left the gym SUPER happy, and confident that next week I’ll be back to normal! 
Loved this Les Mills Experience? You might also like GRIT Strength with Cláudia Estrela: An Intense & Unforgettable Experience!
Instructor Notes
Pedro Pereiros brought a cheerful, high-energy vibe, with very clear cues and careful explanations. He was motivating and supportive, and he kept the room going when it got tough.
If you also train with a barbell, I created a simple tracker to log weights, stay consistent, and actually see your progress over time.
You can find it here: Barbell Class Progress Tracker for Women 40+.
How I Felt After Class
- Right after: Very happy, proud, and energized.
- Later that day: Relaxed and in a great mood, with that “I did it” feeling.
- Next day: Mild soreness in a good way, and still no knee pain.
First Timer Tips
- What to bring: Water bottle, towel, comfortable training shoes, and a light snack for after class.
- Where to stand: I prefer the middle or the front, so I can see the instructor clearly. At the back, it’s harder to follow when other people are in front of you.
- How to scale: Go lighter than you think on your first class, then increase gradually. Focus on range of motion first, weight second.
- One mistake to avoid: Choosing weights that are too heavy and losing control of form, especially on squats and lunges.
My Gym Essentials
Everything I actually use and love during my workouts. Tested, approved, and perfect for busy women who want efficient results.
- Water Bottle: Stay hydrated without wasting time refilling.
- Training Shoes: Light, comfortable, and perfect for kettlebell workouts and power walks.
- Small Gym Bag: Compact but spacious enough to fit everything I need for my sessions.
- Shockproof Phone Case: Keeps my phone safe during intense workouts, because I drop it. More than I would like to admit.
- Smart Fitness Watch: Tracks my heart rate, calories burned, and progress, game-changer for my journey.
