This Body Pump class review is based on my first week back after the holidays, during a night class with Igor Angélico. The room, the music, the energy, and the training all came together in one of those classes that made me smile from the warm-up to the cool down.
If you want to know what a Body Pump class really feels like from a student’s perspective, here is my honest experience.
Quick Verdict
- Intensity 1 to 10: 8
- Good for: people who enjoy barbell training, music-driven strength work, full-body conditioning, and a class that challenges every major muscle group
- My after class mood: happy, strong, tired, and genuinely glad I had returned to Body Pump
Class Snapshot
- Duration: around 55 minutes
- Format: barbell-based strength class with squats, chest, back, triceps, lunges, shoulders, core, and cool down
- Equipment: barbell, weight plates, step, mat, towel, and water bottle
- Instructor style: warm, energetic, musical, motivating, and very connected with the class
- My focus today: get back into the routine, choose sensible weights, and enjoy the music
- Body notes: legs and chest felt challenging, but the class left me feeling strong and happy
Track Your Body Pump Progress
Body Pump progress can be hard to see from one class to the next, especially when you are slowly changing weights, rebuilding confidence, or learning which tracks challenge you most.
I created the Barbell Class Progress Tracker for women who take Body Pump or other barbell based group fitness classes and want a simple printable way to record their weights, follow their progress, and stay consistent from class to class.
What My Body Pump with Igor Angélico Really Felt Like
Wow! Training at night is starting to grow on me.
I was delighted to arrive at the studio and find Igor Angélico waiting at the door, welcoming me so warmly for Body Pump.
A whole month without the class and I had already forgotten to go and grab the bar and weights. I picked up the step, put down my bottle and towel, and stood there for a few seconds before remembering I still needed to get the rest of the equipment.
Right from the warm-up, I started smiling and did not stop. Igor was in a fantastic mood and warned us he would be singing A LOT. He kept his word, and whenever I could, I sang right along with him!!!
First of all: the music selection. WOW, genuinely! I loved EVERY single song.
The workout was fantastic across every track:
Squats: I used 30kg. And managed to get through them reasonably well. I absolutely love that moment at the end of the pulses when Igor shouts “SINGLE!” Pure FIRE!
Chest: I was struggling! Those pulses… thank goodness I stuck with 12.5kg… good lord…
Back: I LOVED it! Music and training both IMPECCABLE. I feel POWERFUL doing the clean and press and the power press. I genuinely love those so much!
Triceps: Despite being really tough, I enjoyed the work with the weight plates.
LUNGES: Oh good lord! My legs. The pulses just kept going and going! All I could hear was Igor saying: “There’s more! We’re not done yet!” And the Squat Jumps?! I had no idea you also jumped in Body Pump, but release 80-something (the number escaped me) brought us that little gem… I did not jump, but I thoroughly enjoyed filming Igor doing them… 
Shoulders: I simply got through it. By this track, the body has accepted the suffering and just wants to reach the finish line…
Core: I loved it and felt a wave of nostalgia for the Les Mills Core classes I used to do with Igor. What a WONDERFUL training routine I had back then.
Cool down: What a TREAT! For a moment I thought I was in Body Balance. Igor was phenomenal, we even did the Swan! And the way he moves through those positions is something else! I LOVED it! What a magnificent way to end a class!
What a FANTASTIC class! I was genuinely, deeply HAPPY!
And with this INCREDIBLE class, I wrapped up my first week of training after the holidays. SPEC-TAC-U-LAR!
Instructor Notes
Instructor credit: Igor Angélico. He is the instructor featured in this Body Pump class experience.
What stood out most in this Body Pump class was Igor’s ability to make a demanding strength session feel energetic, musical, and genuinely enjoyable. The class was challenging across almost every track, but the mood in the room stayed light, warm, and motivating.
The music made a strong difference in this session. From the warm-up to the cool down, the class felt connected to the tracks, and Igor’s energy helped carry the effort through the harder moments, especially chest, lunges, and shoulders.
From a student’s perspective, this was a strong return to Body Pump. It reminded me why barbell classes can feel so satisfying: you struggle, you push, you adapt your weights, and then you leave feeling stronger than when you walked in.
Checkout another fantastic class with Igor Angélico: Sprint with Igor Angélico: Speed, Strength & Adrenaline-Packed Training!
How I Felt After Class
- Right after: happy, sweaty, tired, and proud to have completed a full Body Pump session after a month away.
- Later that day: still thinking about the music, Igor’s energy, and how good it felt to be back in a proper barbell class.
- Next day: aware of the legs, chest, shoulders, and overall full-body effort, especially after the squat and lunge tracks.
Final Thoughts
This Body Pump class with Igor Angélico was a fantastic return to barbell training after the holidays. It had strong music, warm instructor energy, full-body challenge, and the kind of atmosphere that makes effort feel enjoyable.
From a student’s perspective, this class was demanding but deeply satisfying. The squats, chest, lunges, shoulders, and core all had their moments, and the cool down brought a surprisingly beautiful Body Balance feeling at the end.
This was the kind of Body Pump class that reminds you why showing up matters. I left tired, happy, and genuinely glad to be back.
My Gym Essentials
Everything I actually use and love during my workouts. Tested, approved, and perfect for busy women who want efficient results.
- Group Fitness Class Tracker for Women (Free Printable)
- 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.
