Hey Winter - sorry chic, I was doing Body Jam .

With your first class just use the smallest plates available throughout the entire class. This is just to focus on getting your technique correct (if you do happen to do a move incorrectly then you'll have less weight / pressure and be more likely to recover for the mistake easily enough, hopefully your instructor will see you are new to the class and keep a watchful eye out).

From that class on try to increase the weights on the second track (squats) - they can take a pounding as you've probably realised after doing Combat yesterday! .

You sound similar to me in body shape, and I use 20kgs during squats and lunges now - and I don't bulk up. Why? Because we are using a light weight, for a longer period of time. It's when you start heading into the gym and doing weight training that you can 'bulk up' - as that type of training is usually focussed on low reps and high (ok, insane) weights. So don't stress about bulking up in Body Pump, it won't happen .

Sorry I didn't reply earlier hun! I feel terrible!

I would offer the same advice to yourself as I practice myself re - the lean body. Each week do 2 Pump classes, and do another form of cardio exercise 5 times a week. Depends on how serious you are about achieving your goals. If there are no medical issues to consider 3 x 30mins of exercise is not enough to shed some serious kg's and change the shape of your body. I like to think I train hard - however not everyone is able to do that. If you can seriously commit to training an hour each day (2 x pump and 3 x combat for example) then THAT is awesome. If you can take DD for a walk in the pusher on the other two days (incidental acitivity) - then all the more power to you! :-)