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): 8
- 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
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 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 Feeling the Burn: A Powerful Body Pump Session with Rafael Coutinho.
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 liked Pedro teaching style checkout my Sprint with Pedro Pereiros Review.
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.
- 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.
