Activity Focus: BodyBlast Classes

Ozzie Elias is a personal trainer in La Salle (a suburb of Montréal), who teaches BodyBlast Classes. We talked with Elias to find out a little bit more about these classes, and the benefits of doing them.

What exactly is BodyBlast?

My version of BodyBlast starts with a little aerobics to warm-up, then working out with light weights at high repetitions, with some yoga breathing in the middle and tai chi to cool down at the end. It’s a little bit of everything that focuses on good health and feeling good.

Does somebody need a basic level of fitness to this activity?

No, in my class I have people from all levels of fitness, from super athletic to people that have never ever stepped inside a gym and this is the first activity that they’ve ever tried. If you are a beginner you can work out with lighter weights at a slower pace. It can be tailored to anybody.

Is easy to start this activity?

Yes. There are no complicated routines to learn, and everybody gets shown how to do everything properly. I always tell people that if the weights are too heavy just put them down and go through the movements. It is really easy to start doing BodyBlast.

All kinds of people come to my classes, I have some people that are very overweight, and some that have just had kids, and I have a core group of four women that come every Tuesday and Friday just hang out and have fun.

What equipment do you need to do this activity?

Pretty much the same stuff you would wear to the gym on a regular day.

What kind of workout does this activity give the body?

You mostly get a cardio workout, although there is some toning because we are using weights. Because the weights are light and will use lots of repetition, even the weights aspect of the class gives a cardio workout. All in all, I’d say this class is better for your heart than your muscles - if you are trying to be a bodybuilder this class is not for you. If you’re trying to lose a little bit of weight and tone up, or just have fun and be healthy, then this class will be right up your alley.

How much the cost to do this activity?

The gym that I teach at includes this class within the gym membership, and you can find similar classes at gyms across Canada.