Power Hour for Strength?

[Shaz]

I just read an article in UltraFit magazine by a man who tried out a Body Pump class, and gave his views on it. The class sounds the same as Cathe's Power Hour (and I think Cathe has also said that Power Hour is similar to Body Pump classes).

Anyway, he gave the class 5/10 for cardio, 10/10 for endurance and 10/10 for strength. Now, the first two I agree with, but 10/10 for strength?? I thought that you had to lift heavy for short sets for strength gains? The overall conclusion of the article was that these classes would burn fat and build strength. What do you guys think?

Sharon.

 

[Lizzie]

This is what I've gleaned from Cathe during a squat segment in BodyMax (where the weight segments are primarily endurance, as in PH)... she basically says that if you are new to lifting weights then you would see some strength gains by doing an endurance workout. However, if you are a heavy lifter already, then that type of workout would just improve your endurance capabilities. I am equating the PH endurance to the Bodymax segments since they move quickly, there are many reps and the weight is lighter than if you were doing, say, PS or S&H.