What Is a Barbell Class?

Most fitness facilities offer barbell classes as part of their weekly group exercise class schedule. Some facilities design and deliver their own brand of class while others will have BodyPump or other pre-choreographed barbell classes on their timetables. Barbell classes are low impact and provide an effective total-body workout that can be scaled to suit beginner, intermediate or advanced exercisers.

  1. About Barbells

    • Barbells come in a variety of lengths and weights. An Olympic bar weighs in at 45 pounds and is 7 feet long, but the barbells used in barbell classes are usually significantly lighter and shorter. Weights are placed on the barbell and secured in place using collars for safety so you can regulate the difficulty of your workout. If you are new to this type of exercise, start off light and add weight as the weeks pass. Too much weight too soon can leave you unnecessarily tired, sore and possibly injured.

    Class Format

    • Although barbell classes vary from venue to venue, they share similar characteristics. After a warm-up, barbell exercises are usually performed in time to music and the class is broken down so that different muscles are worked during different tracks of music. The class is led by an instructor who demonstrates the exercises for the participants to follow. Exercises are performed standing, seated and lying and are usually changed periodically to keep the workout fresh and interesting. Once the barbell workout is complete, the class usually concludes with a cooldown and stretch.

    Exercises

    • There are a large number of barbell exercises that can be included in a barbell class. There are pressing exercises that target your chest, shoulders and triceps and pulling exercises that work your back and biceps. Variations of lunges, squats, step-ups and deadlifts work your legs, and there are also arm-curl and arm-extension exercises that work your biceps and triceps respectively. By the end of a barbell class, each and every one of your major muscles should be worked.

    Class Benefits and Advantages

    • Attending a barbell class is a good way to increase your strength and muscular endurance while burning plenty of calories. Weight training also increases bone mass which may help prevent osteoporosis, a disease characterized by brittle bones. Some faster-paced barbell classes also have a positive effect on your cardiovascular fitness. Because the class is led by an instructor, you should receive plenty of motivational feedback and encouragement, and exercising in a group can further increase your enjoyment.