BODYPUMP HEAVY driving strong results for clubs and instructors

With the global launch at LES MILLS LIVE Stockholm 2025, BODYPUMP HEAVY has become a major success in clubs around the world. The growing focus on strength training, combined with a simple and safe format, makes it highly accessible for both new and existing members. A few months later, we took the opportunity to see how clubs and instructors that launched BODYPUMP HEAVY are performing.

Elin Hansson, Group Fitness Manager at STC Skövde, Vara, Falköping, Hjo, Tibro and Karlsborg says:
- Since launch, the class has quickly grown in popularity, with strong engagement from our members. It attracts many of the same members who enjoy LES MILLS STRENGTH DEVELOPMENT, those who love strength training but prefer the motivation and energy of a group environment over training alone in the gym. Right now, attendance is mainly female, but we see great potential to attract more men over time.

Success comes down to offering a clear and varied strength offer, with STRENGTH DEVELOPMENT, BODYPUMP and BODYPUMP HEAVY. Consistency in the schedule, combined with passionate and engaging instructors, is key to creating a great member experience.

For us, BODYPUMP HEAVY helps complete the schedule and allows us to offer everything from yoga and dance to a wide range of strength training. With BODYPUMP focusing on endurance, STRENGTH DEVELOPMENT on functional strength and explosiveness, and BODYPUMP HEAVY delivering shorter sets with heavier weights, the programs complement each other perfectly.

Joakim Iivonen BODYPUMP HEAVY Instructor (also known as a Les Mills Trainer) from STC Skövde, Sweden:
- You get a great strength workout with few reps since you go so much heavier on the bar. And it’s so great to see the participants challenging their strength with more weights and seeing them increase their strength over the 3 months we run the release.‍

Denisa Vávrová, BODYPUMP HEAVY Instructor from Form Factory, Czech:
- Clients are really happy with this program and many of them say it changed their view on strength training. Not only are they getting stronger for BODYPUMP, but they also improve their technique, stability and movement control. A lot of clients also feel that BODYPUMP HEAVY helps them in everyday life. They feel stronger, more confident and better in their body. And for me, it’s amazing to watch people who feared heavier weights before, now leaving the class proud of themselves.

For me personally as an instructor, this program gave me much more than only more strength and progress in training. It brought me new people, new stories and a new community that we are building together. I love that we can change people’s view on strength training and show them that strength classes can also be motivating, safe and full of energy. But the best feeling for me is seeing clients breaking their own limits. Watching their happiness from progress and the moment when they realize they are stronger than they ever thought. That is exactly why I love teaching this program.

‍Irene Hansson BODYPUMP HEAVY Instructor from STC Kristianstad, Sweden:
‍- I teach regular BODYPUMP classes and love it, so I immediately jumped at the opportunity to try BODYPUMP HEAVY. I also teach LES MILLS STRENGTH DEVELOPMENT. It was easy to promote BODYPUMP HEAVY since I could compare the different Les Mills programs with each other. We did a lot of promotion for BODYPUMP HEAVY. Existing members, as well as many new ones, came to try it, and it quickly became a regular weekly class.

Members quickly feel that they are getting much stronger. Many of those who started with BODYPUMP HEAVY also try LES MILLS STRENGTH DEVELOPMENT and regular BODYPUMP. BODYPUMP HEAVY also encourages many participants to lift heavier weights in regular BODYPUMP. I love my “extra job” as a Les Mills instructor! We have so much fun together while staying healthy and strong.‍

Marko Merikukka, BODYPUMP HEAVY Instuctor from Liikuntakeskus Hukka, Finland:
‍- I think BODYPUMP HEAVY is popular at Liikuntakeskus Hukka because group fitness participants who don’t enjoy gym training can get the benefits of gym workouts from the class. For many, this is a more appealing alternative to traditional gym training.

The clear structure and simple choreography of the BODYPUMP HEAVY class make it possible to focus on coaching technique and motivating participants. In addition, the shared physical challenge during the class brings people together, and it’s also enjoyable to share the experiences with the participants. The class also strengthens the instructors physically, which is great for other classes as well.

‍Vangi Razafimandimby BODYPUMP HEAVY Instructor from Sporty, Norway:
‍- Our members love BODYPUMP, and it’s a very popular class. That’s no surprise considering it has been on the schedule for around 20 years. I’ve been teaching this class regularly for 14 years now, simply because I love the workout, music, the sense of community, and the overall concept. When BODYPUMP HEAVY was launched, I thought “wow!”. We had to try it, and then we evaluated it along the way. Members joined in, and now the class has strong attendance.
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It’s inspiring to educate members about what the class involves and it's purpose. With clear information about the maximum number of repetitions and sets, I see that they appreciate the predictability and become more motivated to push themselves a little further.