Combine weightlifting, dance music and choreography, and what do you get?
Not another crazy reality television show, though it sure sounds like the concept for one.
It's called BodyPump, a new fitness program offered at Tucson Jewish Community Center.
"This makes lifting weights so much more fun," said Catharine Hyatt, 43, who has taken part in a handful of BodyPump sessions since the JCC began offering the class in April. "I love the fact that you work your whole body."
BodyPump is a program developed by Les Mills, an international fitness organization created by Mills, an Olympic athlete from New Zealand. Other programs created by Les Mills include BodyStep, BodyJam and BodyAttack.
The classes are designed for people who work out regularly but are looking for something more all-inclusive, and all Les Mills programs share similar traits in that they include music and choreographed moves.
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"What they're finding is, the trend for the next 10 years is that choreographing is back," said Rhina Gerhauser, who runs some of the JCC's BodyPump classes.
Music compels people to push themselves more, added Eileen Lawless, another of the JCC's fitness instructors. "With this class, you have people coming up saying, 'I worked harder than I would have.' "
Music and choreography are an integral part of BodyPump. Class participants line up in a semicircle facing the instructor with a step pad in front of them, a barbell at their feet and extra weights off to the side. The step pad doubles as a bench for participants to lie on while doing certain exercises.
Once the music kicks in, the instructor describes the next exercise and the participants follow her lead. Each exercise lasts as long as its corresponding song — a mix of up-tempo tracks ranging from Shakira to Bon Jovi to European industrial band KMFDM — with the lifting motions falling in line with the beat of the music.
"It wouldn't be as uplifting or motivational without the music," said Karen Putnam, 39.
Putnam said she frequently lifted weights while in college, but since having two young children she had lost the desire to pump iron. She said she enjoys the group aspect and feeds off the progress of her classmates.
"I'm always watching them out of the corner of my eye," she said. "We see each other improve and we can just feed off each other's energy."
Added Gerhauser: "When you have a buddy system or a group class, it's more fun for everyone. This takes the monotony out of lifting weights."
The JCC holds BodyPump classes several times a week, though most fill up quickly, assistant sports and fitness director Lori Briere said. She said classes can accommodate 20 to 23 participants.
"We've had a really good turnout," she said. "We ended up having to go back and buy more (equipment)."
If you go
• What: BodyPump classes.
• Where: Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E. River Road.
• When: The center offers the class several times a week. Call Lori Briere at 299-3000, Ext. 119, for detailed class times.
• Cost: The class is free to JCC members, though nonmembers can purchase a one-day guest pass for $10. Anybody can join the JCC, and membership costs $125 for the initial signup, with monthly fees ranging from $29 for teens to $95 for families.
